Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 72

The 72nd Episode

A pathetic sentence escaped Lee Min-ki’s lips.

“Ah— that looks delicious――.”

It was a voice like a wooden doll, just as people had said.

A voice that made the people on set feel awkward, creating an atmosphere so heavy it felt suffocating.

A voice that shouldn’t dare exist in this space echoed.

‘What is it?’

‘What did I just hear?’

The staff’s gazes were a mix of surprise and bewilderment in just the right proportions.

It’s said that when humans are surprised, their brains freeze, and that’s exactly what they were experiencing. It was like a roe deer appearing in front of them while they were on guard duty.

However, the person who created this situation with just one word seemed rather indifferent.

No, it was more than that.

“Hmm―― this is the taste― coffee should have depth, after all――.”

He confidently delivered the next line.

“……”

It became even more awkward.

How could a single section of acting be so awkward?

Even a layman who knows nothing about acting would find it cringe-worthy. For the people on set who knew the situation well, it was enough to numb their senses.

Besides, wasn’t Lee Min-ki originally a good actor?

‘The actor was originally very good at acting.’

‘Is he not in good condition today?’

No.

Rather, Lee Min-ki’s acting skills were outstanding even off set.

He possessed an overwhelming flexibility that was hard to even imagine for a rookie.

He knew when to blend in and when to stand out.

His vision was broad.

His acting, which calculated even the movements of the staff outside the work, was by no means common.

But even so, because it was Lee Min-ki, the current acting was even more incomprehensible.

‘It doesn’t seem like he was like that during the script reading.’

‘Even the great Lee Min-ki has acting he can’t do.’

‘At this rate… I might be better than him?’

‘He’s finally showing his true colors.’

Some people gloated over his flaws.

But.

Others thought like this.

‘It’s intentional.’

It was Director Noh Ho-yeon.

‘Lee Min-ki isn’t someone who would act like that without any thought.’

The Lee Min-ki he knew was someone obsessed with detail.

Bad acting?

That couldn’t be.

If it was the Lee Min-ki that Director Noh Ho-yeon knew, it was right to interpret that as an ad-lib [an unscripted line or action improvised by an actor].

However, the only thing left to consider was what that ad-lib was for.

‘He’s aiming for something. What is it?’

‘I feel like I know, but I don’t.’

Kim Ji-hwan and Seol-ha, who had experienced Lee Min-ki enough, made the same guess.

And.

Their guess was exactly the truth.

‘I don’t know if the feeling will resonate.’

Lee Min-ki’s acting was actually bad acting.

It was thoroughly intentional bad acting in every way.

“Why is this such a de-licious coffee? Why would it be de-licious?”

Even just this short one-line acting was like that.

He imagined what it would be like if someone who had never acted before was doing a CF commercial [commercial film].

‘Not being conscious of the audience beyond the camera, but being conscious of the camera lens with his gaze.’

Lee Min-ki’s gaze jumped between the camera and the director like a reckless driver cutting lanes.

‘The voice should be stiff. From the strength of pronunciation to the length, everything should be cut off abruptly.’

His voice seemed to be saying, “Listen to this.”

It was a voice as unsettling as a North Korean communist speech.

‘The hands don’t know where to go and are restless.’

Even the posture was awkward.

The production team was feeling like they wanted to declare an NG [no good, meaning a failed take] immediately and run to drag him out.

“Coffee is… uh!”

Lee Min-ki seemed to have bitten his tongue and stuttered.

The moment everyone judged that it was an NG, Director Noh Ho-yeon shouted something completely different.

“Actor, let’s talk for a moment.”

At that, someone thought.

‘Good for you.’

* * *

In the temporary conference room set up in the studio.

There, Director Noh Ho-yeon was looking at Lee Min-ki with a serious gaze without blinking.

A gaze so serious as if he was trying to probe the other person’s inner thoughts.

When the water cup in front of him became awkward, he finally opened his mouth.

“Earlier, was that intentional?”

“That is.”

Lee Min-ki slowly nodded his head.

“Yes.”

“I knew it.”

Straight to the point.

Director Noh Ho-yeon shook his head and said.

“I’ll say it in advance, it’s not that it’s bad. I asked the actor for ad-libs first. But there’s one thing I need to know for sure.”

The next moment.

He asked, putting curiosity he had never shown before into his voice.

“What was the intention?”

It was a tone as if he was interrogating.

But Lee Min-ki knew that this was just Director Noh Ho-yeon’s unique serious personality, and that he wasn’t putting pressure on him or anything.

‘He’s really curious.’

He’s the type of person who would say what he has to say head-on.

He’s not someone who would beat around the bush.

That’s why Lee Min-ki also decided to confront him head-on rather than beating around the bush, and said.

“That’s how I thought Sung Jin-woo’s character was.”

It was that the character was like that.

At that, a more intense light flickered in Director Noh Ho-yeon’s eyes.

“The character?”

“Yes, I thought bad acting would suit Sung Jin-woo.”

It was exactly as he said.

Lee Min-ki was actually acting as Sung Jin-woo.

However, that Sung Jin-woo was doing bad acting in the work.

‘Sung Jin-woo’s character couldn’t have been good at shooting CFs from the start.’

That was because that was how Lee Min-ki interpreted Sung Jin-woo’s character.

If it’s just CF acting, I can do it.

I can’t say I can do it perfectly, but I can imitate it clumsily.

If I retouch it while doing retakes a few times, I can get the shape out.

“But is that really [Sung Jin-woo]? I thought, ‘Isn’t this just me acting well?’”

It was a question that came to Lee Min-ki’s mind.

While Director Noh Ho-yeon was resting his chin as if telling him to say more, he calmly continued to speak.

“What I’m challenging now wasn’t just CF acting.”

“Did you see something else?”

“Yes, Sung Jin-woo, who is doing CF acting, is the acting that I really have to challenge.”

Was it awkward?

Of course, it would be awkward.

It was right to be awkward.

Because that was how Lee Min-ki’s interpretation of the character Sung Jin-woo was in his head.

“I understand the reason, but if you’re pursuing a variation from the character you’ve maintained so far?”

Director Noh Ho-yeon asked as if trying to probe deeper.

And this was also a word that had been prepared.

No, it’s hard to say that it was prepared.

Because he usually thought that way, he just started talking naturally as if he was breathing.

“Usually, when you look at genius characters in the media, the more talented they are, the more unexpected flaws they have in trivial places.”

“Hmm, for example?”

“The American genius scientist, millionaire, and playboy character. He’s perfect, but he’s so forgetful that his daily life is a mess.”

That was the charm of that character.

Lee Min-ki counted one more finger.

“Genius characters in Japanese manga [comics] are mostly like that too. They’re outstanding in their field, but in reality, they can’t even cook simple dishes, so they often eat cheap bread for meals.”

Only perfect people are not attractive.

The Sung Jin-woo that Lee Min-ki thought of was a person who was perfect as a barista, but lacked charm because of his flaws in other areas.

“That means.”

Director Noh Ho-yeon, who had been listening to Lee Min-ki’s words for a long time, opened his mouth.

“The flaw that the actor thinks Sung Jin-woo has is that he’s perfect.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Lee Min-ki nodded and said.

“I wanted to give Sung Jin-woo a charming flaw. That was bad acting.”

Of course, it was a momentary ad-lib, but it’s not just bad acting.

If you look at the details, it was bad acting that was endlessly elaborate.

Although it was only one day, Lee Min-ki had experienced the CF site, so he was specifically aware of what kind of acting was needed in CF.

So he avoided it all.

It was like deliberately choosing only the wrong answers on the test paper to get a 0.

That was the acting that Lee Min-ki showed a little while ago.

‘Well, a barista doesn’t necessarily have to be good at acting. It’s definitely tempting.’

Director Noh Ho-yeon looked at Lee Min-ki.

Anyway, it’s the last episode.

It’s not like there’s no time to shoot, and the episode’s grand finale is over, so there’s nothing I can’t do to fix the last details.

Appropriate modifications are necessary, but modifications can be made.

What’s the problem?

In a typical drama set, it’s right to consult with the writer in charge of the script separately regarding the story. But Director Noh Ho-yeon was an exception.

Because he came from the film industry, he also served as a screenwriter like the custom of the Korean film industry.

So he can accept corrections on the spot.

‘There’s nothing wrong with this.’

Rather, he was more concerned about other things.

‘This actor sees the work more broadly than I thought.’

It was Lee Min-ki himself.

He wasn’t just finishing the role he was given, but he was specifically researching the strengths and weaknesses of his character.

Newcomers are usually full of enthusiasm or have a narrow view, but this one was the opposite.

‘Should I have had him do ad-libs from the beginning?’

It’s a pity.

It was his first work as a drama, and because the other person was a newcomer, he deliberately proceeded under his control as much as possible.

If I were to shoot again, I would give him more autonomy then.

Should I try to seduce him for another work later?

‘It’s a shame I found out about this at the very end.’

Director Noh Ho-yeon sighed inwardly.

Of course, only inwardly.

He was the type of person who acted like a perfectionist so that he wouldn’t be looked down upon by the actors on set.

“I understand for now. After listening to the story, I think the actor’s opinion is valid.”

“That means.”

“Let’s go in the direction of Sung Jin-woo doing bad acting.”

“……!”

Lee Min-ki’s eyes widened.

It was because it was the same as saying that his interpretation was recognized and would be reflected in the work.

It was an achievement he had gained just before the work was about to end.

“Really?”

“There’s nothing to be surprised about. As long as the work is fun. It’s too boring to go too smoothly, right? There are various ways to achieve a beautiful ending.”

Director Noh Ho-yeon said calmly as if this was nothing.

“But I have to make small corrections, so I need to take a break.”

From now on, it’s the director’s time.

Even if corrections are made in the middle, I have to touch it up overall so that the connection between the front and back is natural.

There are many people waiting on set, so as quickly as possible.

That’s how he was about to start working right away.

“Wait a minute.”

There was something he wanted to praise.

Director Noh Ho-yeon called Lee Min-ki and said.

“The part where you bit your tongue at the end was a good detail.”

“……”

“You intended all of that, right?”

At the voice as if he knew even though others didn’t, Lee Min-ki swallowed his saliva and said.

“Ah, of course!”

No.

That was a mistake.

He couldn’t refute it because of the atmosphere, but Director Noh Ho-yeon said as if he knew it.

“I knew it, that was the best part for me too.”

“……”

He says so.

Indeed.

* * *

Director Noh Ho-yeon’s script revision went in.

If the actors flexibly add ad-libs according to the situation on set, the directors can also make script revisions to the extent that they can handle it.

It was the same this time.

“Very de-licious coffee, good feeling coffee――.”

Lee Min-ki was doing bad acting, and every time he did, he repeated filming from the beginning.

He pointed the camera at different angles and different perspectives.

And.

Lee Min-ki’s acting gradually improved.

“Very delicious coffee, good feeling― coffee.”

To a watchable level.

Some people may see Lee Min-ki’s bad acting gradually improving as he repeats filming, but the truth is this.

‘As expected, he’s good at acting itself.’

This was within the scope of the script revision.

‘It’s gradually getting better. More quietly than a turtle’s pace, as slowly as an ant’s eye, more quietly than the rise in national debt.’

It was the story of [Sung Jin-woo] that Lee Min-ki was acting.

He, who had been showing ‘bad acting’ in name and reality at first, succeeded in rising to the line of ‘immature acting’ through the 19th retake.

That’s right.

Lee Min-ki is acting the acting of [Sung Jin-woo], whose acting skills are improving.

Everything was what Director Noh Ho-yeon intended.

‘Edit and use it.’

It was a production that [Sung Jin-woo] was practicing with persistence to show a perfect appearance even in advertisements and was getting better.

But this was not the case for those who superficially noticed this situation.

‘As expected, he can’t do it.’

‘But he’s getting better because he’s doing it. Very slowly though.’

‘It was a water rocket [something that starts strong but quickly loses momentum].’

It just seemed like Lee Min-ki was improving lukewarmly.

But after the 27th retake was over like that.

“Okay, Min-ki. Show me a good look one last time.”

“Yes!”

With Noh Ho-yeon’s shout, Lee Min-ki’s eyes flashed.

Soon after, his real skills were revealed.

“……”

The extra trio, who had been secretly finding fault until just now, closed their mouths tightly with just one word.

‘No, what is it?’

‘What the hell is it?’

‘He knew how to do it, but he did that?’

The person has changed.

Is it true that the person who had been showing sluggish development until just now had suddenly turned into a perfect professional actor in an instant.

“Good job.”

Among the few extras who were stunned, Director Noh Ho-yeon patted Lee Min-ki with an admirable look.

“I think a good scene will come out.”

“It’s thanks to the director. Thank you.”

With that small happening, the last filming ended successfully.

Since the drama has been broadcast up to episode 12, it was only about 3 weeks’ worth of extra content.

But considering the average of this industry, it is a very stable situation.

‘Ah, I feel relieved.’

Lee Min-ki stretched greatly, freed from the filming site for the first time in a while.

It’s like he’s become a free man.

But to become a truly free man, there is still work to be done.

That is.

“Actor, I’ll see you again soon.”

“I guess so.”

It was Studio Banbaji.

If the last time was a tour, this time it was the main filming.

It was possible to proceed with the actual filming only a week after the tour.

‘Wow, it works.’

Lee Min-ki muttered as he looked around the indoor scene designed like an actual home.

“I thought it would take some time because there was also prop production, but I didn’t expect to be filming so quickly. As expected, a first-class studio.”

“Hehe, there’s nothing to be surprised about.”

Director Kwon Ye-rin said that, but she shrugged her shoulders as if she liked Lee Min-ki’s praise.

“Advertising production is also a race against time. Sometimes we plan the day before and shoot the next day. If you order all the props, there are companies that make them on the same day.”

“Wow……”

So that’s what the world is really like.

No wonder the people on set all had dark circles under their eyes like makeup.

As Lee Min-ki was about to admire, Director Kwon Ye-rin coughed awkwardly and said.

“You’ve memorized the storyboard [a sequence of drawings representing the shots planned for a film or television production] I sent you in advance, right?”

“Ah, yes.”

“How was it?”

“That is.”

I’ve been waiting for a long time to tell the person in charge my impressions directly.

Lee Min-ki said with a faint smile.

“It was really fun. I thought it would be a big hit no matter what.”

“Right?”

Director Kwon Ye-rin chuckled as if she knew it and said.

“Coffee to wear, I think it suits the actor. You’re really good at acting, right?”

“Haha… I don’t know what to do with myself when I hear the director’s words.”

Lee Min-ki smiled faintly.

But his heart wasn’t quite like that.