Fifth Vital [EN]: Chapter 271

Fifth Vitality – Episode 271 (271/502)

271. Stuntman Gu Min-woo

Movie set-

“Are there any problems with the vehicle?”

“No, there aren’t.”

The assistant director’s reply came back quickly after the director spoke on the radio to check the scene.

“Okay! Everyone, stay focused and ready… Action.”

Tak-

With the director’s start signal, the sound of the slate [a board used to synchronize audio and video] was heard immediately, and filming began.

With the sound of ‘Action,’ Gu Min-woo’s eyes changed as he stood on the container truck, clutching the 007 briefcase.

When the actor in front of him swung a large club, shouting his lines, Gu Min-woo, who had rehearsed the scene, dodged by twisting his body left and right.

“Hey! You bastard! Hand over that bag now!”

It was as the actor wielding the club pulled out a knife, delivering his rough lines, and the truck’s cab began to make a turn.

Gu Min-woo turned his body to the side, executed a somersault, and leaped from the moving vehicle.

“Cut!”

At the sound of the call, the filming ended, and the director’s satisfied voice followed soon after.

“As expected! Min-woo has a real knack for this. Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine.”

He wasn’t injured at all because he had fallen at the pre-arranged timing in a designated area where safety mats had been laid out.

The movie Gu Min-woo was currently filming was a production of the global film company, American M Corporation.

As the status of Korean content and Korean actors rose steadily in the cultural market, even typically aloof film companies were eagerly casting Korean actors.

This movie was a sequel to a series that had been released over several years.

The original American actors were replaced, and Korean actors were cast in supporting roles, along with a Korean director.

Gu Min-woo was hired as the stunt double for the Korean actor playing the main role.

Because it was such a well-known movie, the audition to select a stuntman lasted a month, and the competition was fierce.

On the day his casting was confirmed, Gu Min-woo hugged his wife and wept with joy.

Due to the contract terms of M Film Company, known for being the most stringent in the world, there were difficulties in matching the lead actor’s physical dimensions, such as arm and thigh circumference, but Gu Min-woo relished even that challenge.

Since there were so many action scenes in the movie, all the lead actor’s high-difficulty stunts were his responsibility.

His action skills, more sensational and stylish than other stuntmen, were enough to captivate the director and the film company.

“Wow! This video is amazing, isn’t it? I feel so much more confident knowing Min-woo is with me.”

“No, it came out well because the director filmed it well.”

“Director?”

While the director was praising Gu Min-woo, the supporting actor who had filmed with him on the truck approached, his tone laced with discomfort.

“Shall we do one more take?”

“This video came out great! There’s no need to go again.”

“I think my movements were awkward when I swung my arm earlier.”

The male actor, playing a supporting role, demanded a reshoot because he was unhappy with the footage.

“Is there really a need? Sun-ho’s movements and expressions were all clean. Min-woo, you thought it was okay too, right?”

“Yes? Of course. It was very cool and wonderful.”

“Okay. It was really cool. Then let’s move on to the next scene.”

“Actors, please come to set B in 10 minutes.”

While the staff announced the details and the set was being cleared at the director’s instruction, supporting actor Kim Sun-ho approached and grumbled to Gu Min-woo.

“But what does Min-woo know about acting to say it’s cool?”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t it funny for a stuntman, who just doubles for the main character, to talk about acting?”

“No, it’s not funny at all.”

Just as Gu Min-woo began to suspect Kim Sun-ho was being deliberately difficult, a firm voice interjected.

“If that’s the case, shouldn’t Sun-ho also refrain from talking about acting?”

“Senior!”

The person Kim Sun-ho couldn’t argue with was Kang Hyuk, the lead actor Gu Min-woo was doubling for, and a top star for many years.

He had been watching the scene on his way back from the restroom.

“Sun-ho, are you perhaps trying to keep Min-woo in check?”

“Yes? No, what are you talking about? Why would I keep him in check? I was advising him because I wanted Min-woo to improve.”

“Ah… it was advice?”

“Of course.”

Kim Sun-ho, who had been prickly until just now, became a gentle sheep in front of top star Kang Hyuk.

“Min-woo, you understand my intentions, right? I was just giving you advice.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Okay. See you at the afternoon shoot. Senior, I need to fix my makeup. You two can talk.”

“Min-woo, are you okay?”

“Of course, Hyung [older brother/male friend]. I’m fine.”

Kang Hyuk handed over the coffee his manager had bought. He was a kind person and took good care of Gu Min-woo, who filmed the difficult scenes in his place, treating him like a younger brother.

“He’s ambitious, which makes him good at acting, but his personality is garbage. Don’t pay too much attention to what he says.”

Gu Min-woo had experienced all sorts of things while working as a stuntman. From the death of a colleague to celebrities’ abuse of power and fraud, this was nothing.

“Kim Sun-ho is keeping you in check. You know this industry is full of jealousy.”

“Keep me in check? Why would a celebrity keep *me* in check?”

“Why else! He’s worried you’ll take his place.”

“Take his place? What are you talking about?”

Gu Min-woo was bewildered by the sudden turn in the conversation.

“You must be dying to know what I’m talking about, right? The CEO is coming over. Ask him directly.”

“Min-woo?”

Kang Hyuk, smiling pleasantly, pointed to the man approaching and then headed onto the set.

“I heard you filmed the truck scene well?”

“What brings you here, CEO?”

“What do you mean, what brings me here? I have to come when my star is filming something important.”

The man, who looked like a bandit, was the CEO of the action team Gu Min-woo belonged to, and also the martial arts director.

“I heard you were going to the youngest’s drama set today.”

“I’m on my way back from stopping by. Actually, I have something to tell you… Didn’t Hyuk say anything?”

“He didn’t say anything, but Kim Sun-ho said he was keeping me in check and that I was taking his place. He was saying strange things.”

“He’s right. Well, he’s in a similar position, so he must be anxious.”

“What’s a similar position? CEO, please speak plainly.”

“Min-woo, your hard times are over. You’re a celebrity now.”

“Celebrity?”

“The Forest of the Sky [entertainment agency] wants to sign with you.”

“What! Me? Why me…”

The Forest of the Sky was Kang Hyuk’s agency, where Gu Min-woo was working as a stunt double.

The CEO of the agency, who had been interested in Gu Min-woo, requested a formal contract for him as an actor.

“They want to develop you as an actor. Well! Our Min-woo is handsome and good at acting, so it’s a waste for you to be a stuntman. That’s why Kim Sun-ho is being prickly. He’s also from the Forest of the Sky, and a former stuntman himself, so he must be worried.”

“……”

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you reacting? Aren’t you happy?”

“It’s not that, it’s just that I’m suddenly trying to process everything.”

“It’s not sudden, Kang Hyuk has been recommending you to the CEO for two years.”

“CEO! Is this all true? Is it true?”

“Yes, you son of a bitch! I told you, you’re definitely going to make it. Min-woo, you did it.”

“Unbelievable! How could this happen to me…”

You never know what will happen in life.

Gu Min-woo had made a decision as he left the house after being seen off by his pregnant wife.

He was planning to stop filming dangerous scenes in the future and switch to acting.

It seemed difficult to continue being a stuntman for a long time when he thought about his wife and child.

In fact, there were quite a few people in this industry who switched from being stuntmen to actors. Of course, not all of them succeeded, but he was planning to keep trying out for auditions even if he failed.

But at this amazing timing, such an unbelievable opportunity came along.

Gu Min-woo felt like he was living a dream.

“Thank you so much. It’s all thanks to you, CEO.”

“What do you mean it’s thanks to me? It’s because you worked hard. And don’t worry about the remaining contract period, just sign the contract comfortably.”

“I was going to ask anyway, but is that okay?”

“Of course. Frankly, I didn’t even give you a contract fee when you signed the contract. Thanks to you, Min-woo, the company has become well-known and the number of new recruits has increased a lot. I benefited from you.”

The CEO sincerely wanted Gu Min-woo to succeed.

“I saw it, and the contract terms are good. The CEO is coming to see you film today, so do well. I told him to come today because you’re filming something cool.”

“Yes, I’ll concentrate and do well.”

Gu Min-woo thought that all of this was thanks to the good fortune that had come to his wife and him.

‘Haengun [Korean word for luck] is really giving me only luck. Dad will do well.’

With a good heart, he ran to Kang Hyuk to express his gratitude, and then waited until the other filming was over.

The set had become dark as night settled in. Finally, the highlight of today’s filming, and Gu Min-woo’s turn, was approaching.

“Okay, cut! Hyuk, good. There’s nothing to criticize.”

After Kang Hyuk’s filming was over, Gu Min-woo, made up to look exactly like him – so much so that you could believe they were twins – approached.

“Min-woo, just do it like you did during the rehearsal. Just do what you usually do, okay?”

“Yes, Director.”

“Min-woo, please.”

“Leave it to me.”

Gu Min-woo, encouraged by the director and Kang Hyuk, put on a wire and ascended to a high platform.

This filming was for a scene where Gu Min-woo was running between buildings to evade the bad guys chasing the main character, while supporting actor Kim Sun-ho fired a gun from below.

From the rooftop of the first building to the rooftop across the street, as well as the ground and even the helicopter in the sky, cameras were positioned to capture the scene from various angles.

Also, although it looked like they were running from a normal building on set, in the movie, it would be a cool scene of running between exploding buildings and flying bullets, enhanced with amazing CG [computer-generated imagery].

As cool as the scene was, it was also dangerous. Working with wires at high altitudes always carries a degree of risk.

Gu Min-woo, who knew that better than anyone else, was focused on finishing it as quickly as possible. But this scene couldn’t be done well alone.

Kim Sun-ho, who was shooting a gun from under the building, appeared in one angle of the helicopter camera, so both of them had to concentrate and avoid making mistakes.

“Actor Kim Sun-ho, please do your best.”

Gu Min-woo politely greeted Kim Sun-ho, who had gathered to listen to the director’s explanation.

In fact, in this situation, even though Kim Sun-ho was a celebrity, he had to accommodate Gu Min-woo, who was a stuntman.

“Okay. Let’s do well. I have good concentration, so it should be fine as long as Min-woo does well, right?”

“Yes, I’ll concentrate and do well.”

“The atmosphere is good. It’s a difficult shoot, so let’s all pull ourselves together and get a good picture. Fighting!”

The director, actors, and staff shouted ‘Fighting!’ and moved to their positions.

“Is everyone on standby?”

“Yes, Director. Everything is ready.”

“Good! Ready~ Action!”

The camera started rolling with the director’s energetic cue, but the filming was immediately stopped.

“Cut!!”

“I’m sorry.”

Gu Min-woo’s feet got tangled as he was running before jumping off the building.

“Min-woo, are you nervous?”

“No, Director. My steps got tangled.”

“Okay, good. There’s nothing to be nervous about. You’re the best stuntman in Korea, Gu Min-woo. It’s okay to have an NG [no good/take], so feel comfortable.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Gu Min-woo, encouraged by the director on the radio, stretched his body once again, focused his mind, and began acting at the sound of the cue.

“Ready Action!”

This time, there was nothing to criticize about Gu Min-woo’s acting.

The way he ran in a hurry was good, and above all, the way he jumped between buildings was a work of art.

“Cut! Again!”

However, despite his excellent acting, another NG occurred.

“Sun-ho, what’s wrong?”

Kim Sun-ho, who was under the building, had caused the NG.

“The gun is malfunctioning. It’s not making any noise?”

“It was fine during the rehearsal?”

“I know. Why is it doing this?”

“I didn’t release this.”

When the props team leader, who was waiting nearby, checked, the gun’s safety lock was engaged.

“That’s right. I’m so sorry. I think I got nervous without realizing it.”

“Director, Sun-ho, the gun was the problem, but it’s been resolved.”

“Director, I’m sorry. Min-woo, sorry.”

The assistant director relayed the situation by radio, and Kim Sun-ho apologized to the director and Gu Min-woo. So the filming started again.

Usually, it was normal to have one or two NGs when filming a movie or drama, so everyone expected that. But that wasn’t the case.

After that, several NGs were repeated. All of them were Kim Sun-ho’s fault.

“Sun-ho, your expression is awkward, please make it a little more natural.”

“I’m sorry, Director. I’ll do it again.”

“I think I’m too nervous. I’m sorry. Min-woo, I’m sorry for making you suffer.”

The NG parade, which started with an awkward expression, continued as he dropped the gun once, fell down once, and looked at the wrong camera, resulting in another NG.

“Let’s take a 5-minute break.”

The director called for a break for Gu Min-woo, who had been enduring the wire work due to the continuous NGs.

“Ah! That crazy bastard. I think he’s doing that on purpose…”

The CEO of the action team, who had been watching from the side until now, cursed at Kim Sun-ho with a hardened expression.