Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 16

The Unveiling Debut (5)

* * *

As the filming passed its midpoint, the cast showed signs of fatigue, but their expressions remained positive.

This was largely due to the abundance of pre-shoot footage and the fact that writer Eun Hee-wook never wrote scripts on the fly.

“By the way, once we wrap up, I need to get some private lessons from Geon. Then I won’t have to worry about action scenes for the rest of my life,” Yong Jun-sang declared earnestly.

Seo Hee-do chimed in, “Hee-do, I’ve already promised to do it. I’m going to pay the instructor fee and take classes formally.”

“Oh, even if you’re a senior, buying low is against the rules!” Seo Hee-do teased. “You must be getting a lot of calls these days, right, Manager?”

Seo Hee-do’s remark caught Park Seon off guard. “Ah, yes. I don’t know how they found out, but I’m getting texts from management people on Hyung’s phone too.”

“I knew it. Don’t go out for meals with them, just wait until we wrap up,” Seo Hee-do advised. “Those guys are trying to get their hands on you before your value goes up any further.”

In fact, after the first episode aired, all sorts of people were trying to get in touch with Geon.

He hadn’t been interested in management, and most of the people were strangers he didn’t recognize, so he ignored them. Now, the accumulated messages numbered over a hundred.

Yong Jun-sang, the highest-paid actor among the cast, offered some advice. “If you don’t know about contracts or industry customs later on, contact me. Even if I don’t know, I’ll call my manager and ask.”

“Yes, I’ll definitely ask you for help.”

After a round of chatter, it was time to film.

Today was an indoor shoot, a scene with Seo Hee-do inside ‘Jung International,’ so there was no action involved.

After a few takes, PD [Production Director] Na Jong-mo muttered after calling cut, “By the way, when is the hidden card coming? We need to start filming by the Han River before it gets too dark.”

“Hidden card?”

“Oh, I guess Geon doesn’t know. Writer Eun said he was bringing in an actor for a special appearance just before the last episode. We’ll film their scenes in advance.”

Just then, the set started buzzing. PD Na Jong-mo smiled slyly. “Actors can’t help but be punctual. They’re only ten minutes late, befitting their name value.”

Soon, a couple appeared.

Next to writer Eun Hee-wook, in her familiar modernized hanbok [traditional Korean dress], walked a short-haired beauty who immediately drew everyone’s attention.

“No way, is that Jin Ji-yoo?”

“Wow… did she come to visit from a shoot nearby?”

“Huh? But Jin Ji-yoo is on hiatus these days, so she shouldn’t be in any productions…”

Seeing the staff’s surprise, it was clear she was an actress, and a pretty famous one at that.

‘Who is it?’ Geon asked with his eyes, and Park Seon quickly mouthed, ‘Jin Ji-yoo, a former actress from our company!’

“Senior, it’s been a while,” Jin Ji-yoo said to Yong Jun-sang.

“It’s been a few years. Please take care of me today.”

The actress, after greeting Yong Jun-sang and other lead actors, approached Geon and Park Seon.

Tall and slender, with an unrealistically small face. Her eyes were cat-like with upturned corners even without eyeliner, and her body had good balance, probably from working out for a long time.

Jin Ji-yoo suddenly extended her hand.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Jin Ji-yoo.”

“Park Geon.”

“I heard about you from the CEO. Our company was very rude. Is this your manager?”

“No, no! It’s all in the past!” Park Seon waved his hands, receiving the top actress’s polite greeting with a grateful expression.

Geon lightly shook hands with Jin Ji-yoo, who looked around the set and smiled brightly.

“Writer Eun asked me to, and… I really wanted to be here, so I came along. ‘Seoul’s Dog’ is my favorite drama these days.”

Who was Jin Ji-yoo? Along with Baek Ha-ni, one of the two biggest actresses at Roman Entertainment. A top-tier actress whose very existence was practically a one-person agency.

For such a person to willingly appear during her hiatus meant that the connection, whether it was interest or friendship, was quite deep.

“Thank you. I’m also a fan of Jin Ji-yoo.”

“Really? Then is there any of my work that you enjoyed?”

She was quick-witted. She seemed to know that he hadn’t seen any of her work and didn’t even know who she was.

As Geon was about to tell the truth, a playful look appeared in her cat-like eyes.

“There are so many, it must be hard to choose. How about Ha-ni unnie’s [older sister or close female friend] work? Baek Ha-ni, from the same agency as me.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know her very well.”

If he didn’t know Gwanghwamun [a major landmark in Seoul], there was no way he’d know Euljiro [another district in Seoul]. Jin Ji-yoo said with a look of barely suppressed laughter.

“Aja, one win! Everyone, you know to keep this a secret from unnie [older sister or close female friend], right?”

Her delicate features smiled, and she exuded charm. The staff who had gathered to watch all shouted ‘Yes’ in unison, regardless of gender.

Regardless, Geon asked what he was curious about without much emotion.

“I look forward to working with you. But.”

“But?”

“What role are you here for today? I haven’t heard anything yet.”

This time, Jin Ji-yoo tilted her head.

“I’m getting kidnapped, by you?”

*

‘Seoul’s Dog’ races towards the end of the story.

Jung Yeon-woo finally wiped out most of the mafia organizations in Seoul.

However, he did so in a primitive and violent way.

In the process, many people were injured or killed, and even his younger sister was seriously injured, but Jung Yeon-woo’s rampage did not stop.

The police superiors are divided. Some suggest recruiting the new forces that have taken over the underworld, while others suggest burying them because they don’t think they can be controlled.

Corrupt influential figures send friendly messengers to ‘Jung International,’ but the one they tried to use as a dog is a twisted terrorist.

ㅡAre those old bastards already full? They’re not trying to wage war on crime like they did in the 80s. They killed a few cats and think they know who’s the dog. Isn’t that right, Chief Choi?

ㅡ······.

Choi Seung is still silent. Since his first meeting with Ma Dae-hwi, he hasn’t said a word or even used sign language.

Lifeless pupils. He only stares at his boss with eyes that have been submerged in time and rotted away.

ㅡGo visit the Commissioner. Those bastards still haven’t come to their senses. Pour some boiling water on their feet. I want to see how their expressions change.

This time, the target is the corrupt police, their leader.

*

S#.21 Back alley (Night)

Lee Seo-hee, the daughter of the current Commissioner of the National Police Agency, Lee Cheol-joon, encountered a man on her way home with friends after a department event.

ㅡWho are you?

ㅡWhat are you doing… Ugh!

Unprovoked and merciless violence sweeps through the group. Noses are broken and arms are twisted.

Choi Seung, who quickly subdued the three members of the group, grabs Lee Seo-hee’s arm and pulls her away.

ㅡLet go, I’ll call 119 [emergency services number] and go on my own.

Unexpectedly calm, Choi Seung releases her hand and waits expressionlessly.

The kidnapped hostage gets into the kidnapper’s car, and a police car passes by the closed Avante [a popular car model in Korea].

At the same time, explosions are heard throughout the city. The terrorists’ offensive, heading towards the final chapter, has begun.

*

A car parked on the Han River embankment.

Tension is high in the front seats. The director of photography, eager not to miss a single scene, has beads of sweat on his nose.

The two actors exchange lines.

Lee Seo-hee: (Looks down and then suddenly) Is it because of my dad?

Lee Seo-hee: It’s been like this since I was young. A lot of people came to visit. Store owners, gangsters, from ordinary citizens to prosecutors and judges.

Lee Seo-hee: Why doesn’t anything change even after he kicked out Mom and became the Commissioner?

Lee Seo-hee: (Glancing at Choi Seung, who remains silent, and laughing self-deprecatingly) Hey. Want me to tell you something? If you want something, just dig up the list of girls that bastard met. He’s not the kind of person who’d be scared by his daughter being kidnapped.

Certainly, good actors have different levels of immersion. Even though there’s no backstory built up because it’s a special appearance, a few lines of dialogue breathe life into the situation.

Even with her talking next to him, Choi Seung is looking at the lights on the Han River like a deaf person. Suddenly, Lee Seo-hee’s eyes flash sharply.

Lee Seo-hee: Do you understand!

With a shout, Lee Seo-hee takes out a portable stun gun and reaches out, but it’s no use.

Choi Seung, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, dodges and slaps her cheek without hesitation.

Slapㅡ!

The acting is so realistic that the people watching unconsciously covered their mouths. Her slender body hits the car door, and Choi Seung says something in sign language to Lee Seo-hee, who is holding her cheek.

Lee Seo-hee: What are you saying, you gangster?

Lee Seo-hee grits her teeth. She turns on her smartphone in front of Choi Seung and searches for the meaning of the sign language.

The meaning that appears is ‘If you make noise, I’ll kill you’.

Following ‘If you follow me, I’ll kill you’ to Ma Dae-hwi in the Black Dragon Clan’s bathhouse, this is his second line.

Lee Seo-hee: (Licking her lips once) You have a really dirty personality.

*

“Cut!”

As soon as PD Na Jong-mo’s cut sign fell, managers and staff rushed to take care of the actors.

“Ji-yoo, are you okay?”

“Yeah. It doesn’t hurt much, and my mouth isn’t torn.”

Surprisingly, only her cheek was slightly red, and it didn’t swell or bleed.

Park Geon, who had stepped aside, bowed his head.

“I’m sorry. I got too immersed.”

“No, I told you to hit me harder. These days, viewers hate it when they only imitate these things and try to protect their bodies.”

PD Na Jong-mo, who had come to check the filming scene, clapped his hands with an excited face.

“As expected, Ji-yoo, it was captured realistically. When two great actors meet, there’s no room for NGs [no-good takes].”

“It’s okay. Then what about the next scene…”

“There are a few more cuts left to film here, so we’ll finish them and move on. Just rest for a bit.”

Her manager, who was worried, told her to go to the car, but Jin Ji-yoo refused to rest and brought a filming chair herself.

Then, she took the script and sat in a prime spot to watch the next scenes being filmed.

Two members of the directing team, a man and a woman, who were observing the scene, whispered.

“She must be a real fan. She’s not going to her next schedule and is watching.”

“Oh, a special appearance on ‘Seoul’s Dog’ is worth it. This isn’t just any drama.”

The current viewership rating is around 20% on average. With competing works failing one after another, it’s a semi-hit for cable, but not enough for a top actor to be so enthusiastic.

The male staff member asked.

“Why? Is she close to writer Eun Hee-wook?”

“No. It’s a chance to work with actor Park Geon.”

“That’s too far-fetched. No matter how hot he’s become, Jin Ji-yoo and Park Geon are on different levels…”

The male staff member tilted his head.

“They are different, but after seeing that, I don’t know.”

The female staff member also turned her gaze. Towards the directing team’s camera, all the lead actors were gathered next to Park Geon, monitoring the acting.

“As expected, actor Park. A rising star you can trust.”

“…Do you know how old actor Park Geon is?”