Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 10

The Shark in the Bath (4)

* * *

Next morning.

The making-of film, painstakingly produced by JNBC’s content team, was released online.

With real-time search rankings gone, a single clip from the script reading couldn’t generate massive buzz.

It only managed to climb onto the portal’s popular videos chart, thanks to the agency and the broadcasting station’s subtle efforts.

And those who clicked on the video discovered an unexpected highlight.

‘How did you do that? Was that an explosion sound just now?’

The actor, with an expressionless, well-sculpted face, was making all sorts of sound effects without uttering a single line.

The quality was higher than most comedian impersonations, and the laughter of the actors and staff was captured perfectly in the audio.
The PR team hastily cut out 10-second shorts like ‘Actor’s Hidden Talent at Script Reading’ and ‘Actor Frustrated by Lack of Lines’ and circulated them on social media.

Under the nickname ‘Seoul’s Bombing Dog.’

“He’s doing all sorts of clownish things.”

Baek Hani, sitting in the actor’s waiting room at the Daesan Card CF [Commercial Film] filming location, scoffed.

Yu Jun-il, the director from Roman Entertainment who came to personally manage her due to the meeting, fidgeted.

“For someone who says that, you’ve watched it quite a bit?”

“What are you talking about? It’s not like that.”

The real-life presence of a top celebrity, an actress who dominates both the small and big screens, is overwhelming.

One perfectly proportioned eyebrow arches slightly.

“I was curious because they said you turned the CEO’s jaw. I wondered what kind of crazy person it was.”

“Turned his jaw? If I had, it would have been a police matter.”

“Anyway, you did run into him. Our charismatic CEO Noh must have lost some face.”

“Oh Gwi-joon ruined his image beyond repair. That guy is something else. How does a grown man make another man wet himself?”

“Director, don’t you remember the person who fainted and was carried out during my fan meeting? Fainting is much more impressive than a little leak, if you think about it.”

It was a ridiculous comparison, but if she didn’t humor him, she would have a tiring few days.

Director Yu coaxed her gently.

“Of course, of course. I hope our Hani can make all the staff faint on the set of her next project too. I’ve picked out a few scenarios······.”

“I’ll take care of it myself. So, is he coming?”

“Huh? Coming for what?”

Baek Hani tapped the floor irritably.

“With that mask and that temper, CEO Noh must have been all over him. He must have at least put his mark on him.”

Director Yu shook his head with a bewildered expression.

“Uh… there was nothing like that. He wasn’t even an actor back then, and after what happened between his sibling and us, would there be any love calls?”

“Then never mind.”

Just as Baek Hani said it dismissively, a knock was heard, and a staff member peeked in.

“We’ll be shooting soon, please be ready!”

Today was a tough day with a lot of filming. Director Yu, who was fiddling with his chin, asked slyly.

“Why, if you’re curious, go take a look. He’ll be starting his first shoot soon too.”

“No thanks. I don’t want to go to a place that doesn’t suit me and end up in some weird scandal.”

“You could use one. How can someone like you, eight years into your debut, not have a single scandal?”

Baek Hani turned off the video she was watching. A clear bitter smile appeared on the darkened smartphone screen.

“You know. I hate the people in this industry.”

*

Three days before the broadcast date.

Finally, Choi Seung’s first scene was being filmed.

During those few days, the staff and actors had revised their assessment of Park Geon several times.

From a suspicious attention seeker to a crazy guy overflowing with passion for acting.

Then to a strange guy whose head they didn’t know what was in it.

A person who doesn’t even have a shoot comes to the set every day. Up to this point, it can be said to be a nameless actor’s social life.

But when he comes, he doesn’t actually watch the filming; he just sprawls out in a suitable place and takes out a book to read.

Once, an assistant director asked him when he was there without a manager.

‘He said he stopped by the library in front of his house, borrowed a book, and came by subway. He says everything in that backpack is books?’

Curiosity about his acting skills also increased.

Will he do well, will he be average, will he be terrible?

Even ordinary people freeze up if you point a camera at them and tell them to eat as usual.

Even stuntmen who aren’t seasoned often make mistakes, so what will his skills actually be like?

“Today is finally the filming, right? S12, right?”

“Ah, yes.”

One of the supporting actors, who had become acquainted with him through greetings, spoke to him.

He glanced at the thick book Park Geon was reading and asked.

“What is that, a book related to acting?”

“No. I’m just interested.”

The cover he showed had written on it.

“If you like this kind of thing, I can lend you a few books. What is your position on quantum mechanics and dimensional travel?”

“Ah… I’m not good with science······.”

After the supporting actor ran away, Park Seon, who had parked the rental car, approached with an excited face.

“Hyung [Older brother/male friend], did you see the set? It’s really unbelievably big. The Wow Kids special stage I followed before was big too, but the sense of intimidation is different from there. They say they’ll start shooting as soon as the water is full!”

Choi Seung’s first appearance scene.

It’s a scene filmed by renting out a huge sauna. Real hot water was turned on to create the atmosphere, and extras and makeup teams are waiting over there.

The air is hot, mixed with the heat from the lights wrapped in waterproof covers and the steam from the hot bath.

His heart slowly heats up, and adrenaline rushes as if he could grab it.

Park Geon closed the book he was reading.

“Let’s get ready.”

*

Novelists put a lot of effort into the first sentence.

Drama PDs [Production Directors] also pour their souls into the first scene.

Because the affection viewers pour into the character, and further into the work, differs depending on the first scene they see.

“Here, Director Kim, this way. Since there are so many people being captured, we need to shoot from the outer lines so that the actors don’t double up even if they rush in.”

PD Na Jong-mo is a director known for paying attention to everything from art to lighting, movement, and action.

For the large-scale action scene against the Black Wind Society members, dozens of extras and several professional stuntmen were hired.

The tattoos that don’t wash off even in water, and the costumes are all unified with the upper body undressed and fundoshi-style [Japanese loincloth] underwear.

Director Kim Jung-nam will shoot the scene of them rushing in like a swarm of bees in a long take.

“Director Hyun, the stuntmen’s direction is······.”

“No, it’s not necessary. Park Geon will take care of everything anyway.”

Hyun Do-gyun, who became a severe Park Geon worshiper after the last audition, insisted on emphasizing ‘take care of it’ at all costs.

“The front lines, just rush in realistically. Match the timing of the blood bags exploding. If the chemistry is right, the correction will save it anyway.”

Hyun Do-gyun, who is known for being meticulous and picky among martial arts directors, ended with just those few words.

PD Na Jong-mo approached Park Geon. Park Geon was standing there with the same indifferent expression as usual.

“You have to be submerged for a while, are you okay with that?”

“I can handle about 10 minutes.”

“Good. As expected of a special forces… no, you can hold your breath for 10 minutes?”

“I’ll correct it to 5 minutes. My prime is over.”

“Right? Even Geon can’t handle 10 minutes.”

By now, most of the production team had adapted to Park Geon’s strange jokes.

Because the stories that some of the supporting actors brought up, such as doing a hundred pull-ups or having a longsword swordsmanship as a specialty, were quite absurd.

After the PD finished directing and left, Yong Jun-sang, who played Ma Dae-hwi, approached.

“My first scene is with you. Please take care of me.”

Park Geon bowed his head with a polite but soulless, unique expression.

“I will do my best.”

*

Novelists put effort into the first sentence.

Drama PDs also pour their souls into the first scene.

Because the affection viewers pour into the character, and further into the work, differs depending on the first scene they see.

S#.12 Inside the Brothel

Rough breathing, curses mixed with Chinese and Korean are heard from behind.

Ma Dae-hwi running through the brothel wearing only his trunk underwear. Water streams down his sweat-soaked forehead,

Ma Dae-hwi: (Gasping) Those damn, water strider-like bastards.

Ma Dae-hwi hurriedly opens the door, hesitates at the sight, then slowly walks in.

Large bathtubs with rising steam.

Black Dragon Society members wearing only thin underwear and holding sashimi rise from the tubs.

Ma Dae-hwi, knowing there is nowhere to escape, sighs.

*

Yong Jun-sang had never seen Park Geon’s audition, which was only rumored.

So, he was only slightly surprised to see Park Geon entering the steaming tub like a diver.

‘He doesn’t care about his body. Is he surprisingly a method actor?’

Shoot!

PD Na Jong-mo shouted, the Black Dragon Society members rushed in, and even while acting immersed in the scene, his worries did not leave.

‘Did he say he would give a signal? The timing of coming out has to be accurate······.’

The next moment, Yong Jun-sang’s thoughts stopped.

Instead of his stopped brain, his eyes confirm.

The tub in the back swells up enormously, and the shark reveals its appearance, tearing apart the surface of the water.

Editing effects laid on the screen, dizzying direction, background music for tension.

It was a ‘real’ presence that made all those things seem trivial.

ㅡ······.

A silence that overwhelms the space spreads.

In the silence, the man in a suit comes out of the tub, dripping water.

Tired expression, disheveled hair. In one hand is a curved knife, and in the other is someone’s arm.
A hand with a black dragon tattoo on the wrist and several gaudy opal rings. The boss of the organization.

ㅡKill him!

The organization members, who checked the boss’s arm, rush in with their eyes turned upside down.

And a clash.

The first guy is kicked in the chest before he can even approach and flies away. Next is the neck. The sharp blade tears through the skin and exits, causing blood to burst.

Poosh!

Is this how a school of sardines would be when faced with a shark in the middle of the ocean?

The naked men rush in from all directions, but they only cut the hem of Choi Seung’s bizarre movements.

During that time, blood fountains erupt one after another. The carotid artery in the neck and the radial artery in the wrist. Only stabbing, cutting, and piercing vital organs.

‘He’s crazy. He’s just crazy.’

Director Kim Jung-nam stared into the camera with wide eyes, concentrating on not missing anything. He forgot that his clothes were getting wet from taking the long take from the side.

He’s an idiot if he doesn’t know why he said there was no need to match the choreography after seeing that.

This is not a knife fight performance. It’s more like… a skilled butcher’s dismantling show. The only difference is that those pieces of meat are not cows or pigs.

The work ended in a few minutes.

Drip, drip, drip······.

The Black Wind Society members are all corpses, and the floor is dyed red like a red tide with blood.

Choi Seung, with his knife drooping, raises his head.

Now, only one person is standing, Ma Dae-hwi.

Ma Dae-hwi, suppressing his trembling hands, chews on his lower lip and mutters.

ㅡI’m Ma Dae-hwi from the Gwangsu Unit. Come on, you bastard.

And Choi Seung walks past Ma Dae-hwi.

ㅡ······?

Still holding a knife and a piece of arm.

Into the spacious tub behind them.

*