Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 118

118.

Ryoo Yi-deun, Lee Hyun-jae, and Seok-joon exchanged glances, their mouths agape. The heavy atmosphere in the studio wasn’t just because it was a filming location; it had been a strangely vibrant place.

But from the moment Ji Dong-hwa opened his mouth and asked, ‘What are you doing?’ in a cold, detached, and resolute voice, that atmosphere vanished without a trace. Ryoo Yi-deun asked Lee Hyun-jae in a small voice.

“Are you like that when you tutor, Hyun-jae?”

Lee Hyun-jae smiled slightly and shook his head at the expression that seemed full of concern as a leader.

“When Dong-hwa *hyung* [older brother or male friend] teaches, he’s incredibly kind and warm, the complete opposite of that. Except for conveying the lesson content, he’s more of a listener than a speaker.”

“Dong-hwa *hyung-nim* [honorific title for older brother/friend], I knew you were good at acting, but I didn’t know it was *this* good.”

“Me neither.”

In fact, small talk is more difficult to act. Exaggerated anger is easy to express, but suppressing anger often results in a blank expression for those who can’t act well. But Ji Dong-hwa was clearly suppressing his anger. He was looking at the person in front of him, chewing over the words, understanding them, and expressing his thoughts.

“He must be immersed. I can see him following what the acting teacher told him.”

“True. I guess that’s because God Enter was a company specializing in actors.”

Of course, it might be lacking compared to professional actors, but the way he was speaking the lines rather than just reciting them was a refreshing shock.

And as the scene neared its end, there was a part in the script where the instructions were to almost mute the lines and just say a few words appropriate to the context.

Ji Dong-hwa desperately suppressed the deep regret and resulting anger from the previous scene, yet he was a disheveled figure of a cold man trying to instill enthusiasm in his disciple.

“Wow, Dong-hwa *hyung*, you’ve prepared your lines really well.”

Ryoo Yi-deun’s exclamation mixed with admiration was soon followed by a question. Jane had added lines to the script that should have ended.

And when Ji Dong-hwa received the lines without any embarrassment, Ryoo Yi-deun couldn’t help but be impressed. Jane was an actress recognized for her acting skills, but Ji Dong-hwa, who was matching her, was a rookie idol.

‘How much character analysis did he do?’

For that short scene, Ji Dong-hwa’s worn-out script naturally came to mind. Because Ji Dong-hwa was the type to fill in any blanks with his imagination until he could convince himself, he would still be able to speak as the character even in the face of such sudden questions.

“…That, Dong-hwa *hyung*, is that ad-libbing right now?”

“Yeah.”

Lee Hyun-jae muttered to Ryoo Yi-deun, asking as if he was wondering.

“…I thought Dong-hwa *hyung* would have understood the fear more.”

“That’s not Dong-hwa’s thought right now.”

The character is doing it. Ryoo Yi-deun thought so and clapped weakly at the resounding cut sound. Proud *hyung*!

* * *

It wasn’t just the members who were surprised by Ji Dong-hwa’s acting. The staff was also quite surprised, and among them, the two writers were the most surprised.

‘The character wasn’t that full of life.’

When writing narrative genres, whether it’s novels or dramas, there are characters who haven’t been given any soul. This scene was just a quarrel between the protagonist with a tomboyish image and a rigid tutor, focusing more on explaining the protagonist’s current state. In other words, the tutor was just a piece to explain the current situation.

However, Ji Dong-hwa’s three-dimensionality of the character and the ad-libs that followed went beyond a simple explanation of the situation, becoming a moment that planted the seeds of the protagonist’s desire to become emperor in the future.

“This, isn’t it good?”

“Yeah. If we combine it with that scene later, we might be able to create something really good.”

“I thought of that right away too.”

“But for now, let’s keep it. If we change the script right now, it’ll be a mess again, so let’s decide tonight.”

Watching Ji Dong-hwa talking with Jane over there, they thought it was a good thing they came to see the first filming.

* * *

“Dong-hwa. No, were you aiming to be an actor? Weren’t you a composing member?”

As soon as the cut sign was given, Jane bombarded me with questions. The fact that I had momentarily thought about why my disciple was being so presumptuous made me feel a little self-conscious. It seems like I was able to fulfill my small wish to be helpful to the drama.

“I didn’t intend to ad-lib, it just happened naturally. Were you flustered? Sorry.”

“No. It was an interesting experience for me too.”

I say this out of courtesy, but it’s clear that I was flustered. If I hadn’t been immersed, I wouldn’t have been able to handle it properly.

“Anyway, this is good. It’s outside the script, but we might be able to use it if we do well.”

Well, I don’t think that’s possible. The function of this scene is obvious. It’s a scene that wasn’t considered beyond simple information delivery, so if we were to use it, it would have a considerable impact later. Revising the script for this one scene isn’t worth it.

“Then I would be honored.”

“You’re very good at talking. You’d be good at flattering.”

Jane smiled brightly, clapped, and looked towards the director.

“What do you think, writers? Are there any cuts we can add?”

“No, no. It was perfect. The writers seem satisfied too!”

At the immediate response, I got up from my seat and took off my glasses. Maybe it’s because my eyes have gotten better since I became younger, but it’s a bit annoying to have glass blocking my eyes.

“Anyway, thank you for everything from practice to the actual filming.”

Thanks to completing Ryoo Yi-deun’s social life special lecture, I was able to answer naturally. Of course, it’s partly sincere, but I repeat the third lecture that expression is important in social life and say it out loud.

“No, I’m more grateful. To be honest, I was just thinking about how to cover it up if you made a lot of mistakes. You did much better than expected. Really. It wasn’t for nothing that you fooled everyone in Detection.”

It seems like Jane also completed Ryoo Yi-deun’s social life special lecture. It’s a must-have for celebrities.

“This, you might get another project later. Because of the staff who are watching now, there will be some positive talk in the industry.”

“Well… I’d rather Hamin or other members do it.”

“Oh, you don’t have any desire to act?”

It’s not just the desire to act, but I’m a person whose desire for fame converges to 0.

I can’t say that, so I just answer as follows.

“I think composing is a little more enjoyable.”

* * *

I approached Chae Hamin with wax in my hair. Chae Hamin was reading the script, and the hand holding the script was shaking slightly.

“Hamin.”

Sitting next to him, I called his name, and Chae Hamin looked at me. I noticed the modernized *hanbok* [traditional Korean clothing] and the slightly tousled hair.

“Do, Dong-hwa. Did you film well?”

“I made a few mistakes.”

I’m a person who doesn’t feel much guilt when lying.

“Huh, really?”

Surprised eyes.

“Yeah. Even if you make mistakes, they don’t really say anything, Hamin.”

“Wow! That’s a relief. I was worried a lot.”

Chae Hamin returned to his bright self and focused on the script again. Knowing Chae Hamin’s personality, if he knew he was the only one who made a mistake, he would make a fuss about being a nuisance, so telling him this would ease the burden.

“Hey, Dong-hwa, you made mistakes too. But after doing it a few times, you shook off the tension and acted properly.”

Ryoo Yi-deun, who came in late, quickly grasped the situation and added words. You quick-witted puppy.

Chae Hamin is looking at the script, but his ears are open, and he puts a little strength into his hand.

“Making one or two mistakes is part of the general characteristics of people.”

Ryoo Yi-deun holds back his laughter. Then he quietly asks with his mouth.

‘Then are you a cat?’

‘Shhh.’

* * *

The role Chae Hamin plays is a butler and servant attached to the protagonist in the imperial family. It’s closer to the concept of a modern aide. I only appear once in the scene I filmed earlier and will hardly appear later, but Chae Hamin will appear briefly in several scenes.

The personality is different from Chae Hamin. As a result of analyzing it with me, he is a bit clumsy, but he tries to fill that clumsiness with effort.

In the imperial family where there is no one to rely on, he is the person who has taken care of the protagonist like an uncle since he was young. Because he is overly kind and fulfills the responsibilities of his role, he is the only person in the imperial family who does not have prejudice against him being an illegitimate child.

To be honest, it’s a bit of a cliché character. There should be one or two of these people… wait. These people usually stay with the work until the end.

Why is this happening to an actor like us who only appears in one episode?

Let’s calculate considering the characteristics of the story. Considering that the political strife in the imperial family is the main storyline. And considering that the protagonist is a person who has not been revealed to the outside world. There are some things that are expected.

In front of me, Jane and Chae Hamin are having a pleasant conversation and refreshing the atmosphere through gags. Jane running around the palace like a madman and Chae Hamin catching her, stopping her, and apologizing. It’s an overly peaceful atmosphere.

“…Dong-hwa *hyung*.”

“Why, Hyun-jae.”

“Hamin *hyung*, is he going to die?”

Lee Hyun-jae quietly asks, as if he can predict what’s going on. I immediately nod my head.

“Yeah.”

He will die, or at least be in a state close to it. Perhaps in the second filming next week, the character Chae Hamin plays will die. Because that’s the best way to leave if you want to be a cameo.

“Princess! Please! Please be quiet! You can’t run in the palace!”

“No, there’s a cat over there, how can I stand it?”

“Cat or not, that’s your mother’s pomegranate field! What will your mother say if she sees it!”

“Hey, it’s okay! I grew it together too!”

And the dialogue between Chae Hamin and Jane unfolding in front of me adds to that conviction. The reason for calling her mother is that, unfortunately, the imperial family has abolished the concubine system to suit modern sensibilities. A woman who has not gained a name, and her despised daughter. And the pomegranate field that the two of them lovingly grow.

“…That’s probably why the title includes pomegranate, right?”

I nod my head again at Lee Hyun-jae’s prediction.

“That, it looks like it’s going to burn.”

“That’s right. So it can bloom again, right?”

“Dong-hwa *hyung*, Hyun-jae, please stop spoiling. Why are you two previewing the contents of episode 2?”

Ryoo Yi-deun, who was listening to our conversation, pokes my side.

“*Hyungnim* [another honorific title for older brother/friend]— then *hyungnim*—are you not going to die—?”

Seok-joon says next.

Well, I don’t think I’ll be appearing anymore. I’m in a situation similar to a fate where I can’t die even if I want to.

Of course, unfortunately, all my predictions went wrong the next day.