Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 76

The Former Hero is a Ten Million Actor – Episode 76 (76/199)

The Butcher, Lee Cheon-in (2)

* * *

Day four of filming.

After a late lunch, the actors were granted a blissful one-hour break.

Holding hot packs, the actors sat in a circle inside a tent on one side of the set.

Looking at the faces gathered, it was, as expected, the main actors. Centered around Lee Dong-soo and Jo Hyun-ah from C&J Entertainment, young talents such as Oh Min-woo from Red Plum Entertainment, and Joo Young-do and Park Eun-ye from Line Seuss Entertainment were exchanging small talk.

That’s how it usually is on set. Even if you don’t have scenes together, you get to know each other while passing by, eat together, and naturally become close.

“Lee Dong-soo, is it manageable?”

At Jo Hyun-ah’s playful question, Lee Dong-soo feigned exhaustion.

“I’m just dying, you know? I guess that’s why long-distance dramas are twice as tough. It hasn’t even been a week, and my neck is already stiff….”

If there were no other schedules, he would have booked a monthly room and stayed put like the production team, but as an entertainer, it’s difficult to only focus on one schedule.

He can’t cancel all commercials, meetings, and other filming and just be stuck in Buyeo.

Oh Min-woo, who plays Lee Jung-nyung, the young leader of the Gyeongseong [Old name for Seoul] Independence Army, chimed in.

“Still, the filming is progressing quickly, so the atmosphere is good. My previous project was a disaster.”

“Ah, that rom-com you were in, Min-woo? I enjoyed it, but I didn’t know about the behind-the-scenes stuff.”

“Don’t even mention it. The *jjokdaebon* [script revisions handed out right before filming] started from episode 3… I never had enough time to memorize lines while filming. I thought it was a memorization test, not a drama.”

Laughter-filled stories bloom. Since the only thing to talk about on set is the project, the scenes filmed yesterday and the scenes to be filmed today are the main topics.

Among them, the ones who are talked about the most are naturally the ones who are doing the best.

“Wow, but Park Geon is no joke. How can his acting be so consistently brutal?”

“I heard he went to a movie, then filmed a rom-com, and immediately came to a historical drama?”

“I was also surprised. He was so handsome in the movie, but it turns out he doesn’t photograph well….”

“And what about the action? Martial arts director Do Jong-woo was completely amazed, saying he couldn’t touch anything, whether it was swordsmanship or fist fighting.”

Yesterday, Park Geon’s first action sequence as Lee Cheon-in was filmed.

It was a scene where a *goein* [masked figure] wearing a butcher’s mask was knocking down members of the Gyeongseong Independence Army, and everyone who witnessed the ‘Park Geon-style action’ that they had only heard rumors about was shocked.

In particular, martial arts director Do Jong-woo, who is well-versed in traditional martial arts, including Bonkuk Geom Beop [Korean sword martial art] and Joseon Se Beop [Joseon sword martial art], was truly astonished.

‘No, to wield a *yendo* [short sword] like a wooden sword… Actor Park, are you perhaps a reincarnated Joseon warrior? Then quit the drama and teach me first.’

‘I’m sorry. I haven’t been to the Joseon Dynasty.’

And what about the lines?

These historical dramas require a different tone than other historical dramas. If it’s too old-fashioned, it’s outdated, and if it’s too modern, it doesn’t fit the background and stands out.

Of course, writer Youngdo Eun’s lines are perfectly balanced between modern and contemporary.

However, it’s amazing how he expresses those lines according to the situation, like a person from the Enlightenment period who experienced the streets of Gyeongseong.

Lee Dong-soo shook his head and muttered.

“It’s not just the lines, but that aura is so enviable. When he’s acting with a mask on, even his walk is like a beast. Should I learn how to use my body?”

“Actor Lee Dong-soo, save your time. A cat can’t become a tiger just by taking lessons.”

Laughter erupts from here and there at Jo Hyun-ah’s advice. It’s a joke that’s possible because they’re like family who eat from the same pot and have been close seniors and juniors since their debut.

Lee Dong-soo also tries to hold back his laughter, making a seemingly wronged expression.

“Why? I can become a wildcat at least. I’ll sharpen my claws diligently and contribute to the viewership ratings of Butcher General. With this cast, we should aim for 30%.”

“Well… if we keep going like this, isn’t writer Young going to produce a masterpiece?”

“Hyperion is airing next week, and I heard they’re bragging about location shoots, going to Dubai and Guam. Moon Han-bin and Ki Eun-seo are openly begging for viewership ratings on social media.”

“It’s okay, we also have a strong one-two punch. It’s just that their chemistry isn’t quite right.”

The atmosphere became strange for a moment at someone’s words.

It was about Baek Ha-ni.

Her acting skills are top-notch, and her attitude is impeccable, but she doesn’t seem to have any sense of camaraderie.

‘Thank you for your hard work. I’ll be waiting in the car.’

When the okay sign is given, she waits expressionlessly for the next performance, and when the scene is over, she leaves those words and disappears into the van parked at the entrance of the set.

She always arrives early and never makes a single NG [no-good take], just like Park Geon, but… because she puts up an ice wall, even that seems inhuman.

“Well… her skills are excellent, so it’s good, but it’s strange that those two are in the same company. I keep comparing them.”

Everyone nods at the words of the veteran supporting actor. The fact that Park Geon is the ‘Superman’ of the set is now known even to the extras in one cut.

Here, he helps the filming team with the track work, and there, he helps the lighting team, carrying equipment that three strong men would struggle to lift alone.

‘I get restless if I stay still. If we do it together, it’ll be over sooner.’

As the main male lead takes the initiative and roams the set, some of the idle male actors also roll up their sleeves and offer to help.

Just like the independent activist organization ‘Heegwangyi [Butcher] Crew’ that Lee Cheon-in founded and led in the story…

“But where did Park Geon go? He ate with us a while ago, did he go to help the filming team again?”

“Uh… I just saw him passing by over there. He had two coffees in his hand.”

As the youngest supporting actor answered, the actors’ expressions turned puzzled.

“Isn’t Baek Ha-ni’s car outside the set?”

*

Baek Ha-ni, who threw the script on the passenger seat, crossed her arms and closed her eyes.

Looking at her in the rearview mirror, road manager Moon Seong-hoon hesitated for a moment.

‘…I hope nothing happens today either?’

Since filming began, Baek Ha-ni’s routine has been the same as if it were stamped out of a mold.

Checking the scenario [script] in the van while moving.

When arriving at the set, checking the script to be filmed that day several times before filming.

Those two patterns are repeated indefinitely.

Even when taking a break, she doesn’t even use her smartphone, and she meditates with her eyes closed. I don’t know if it’s meditation or just dozing off.

‘Is that how most actresses are? The celebrities I used to manage all lived with their phones in their hands….’

Everyone has different tastes, but this is the first time he’s seen such an extreme actor. If he hadn’t heard from manager Yoo Joon-il to ‘just leave her alone no matter what she does,’ he would have been much more uncomfortable.

It was when Moon Seong-hoon was about to ask if she wanted some coffee, as there was still time until the next filming.

“Is there anything new?”

Baek Ha-ni’s mouth opened.

“Yes? What are you talking about?”

“From the writer or the cinematographer. Has anyone said that Baek Ha-ni is too rude, or asked me to mingle with them after filming?”

It’s true that good things haven’t been said among the managers, although not to that extent.

Baek Ha-ni calmly opened her closed eyes when he couldn’t answer immediately and only opened and closed his mouth.

“I guess it wasn’t to that extent. Okay, I understand roughly.”

“No. I misunderstood….”

“You don’t have to worry. I was going to adjust appropriately if it was too much, just enough so that I wouldn’t get scolded by the CEO again.”

Her tone is calm, but isn’t she the actress he’s in charge of who suddenly explodes?

‘It’s not just her temper, but her sense is….’

Moon Seong-hoon was sweating when he heard a knock on the van window.

When he hurriedly lowered the car window, Park Geon in a white *durumagi* [traditional Korean overcoat] was standing next to the driver’s seat.

“A… Actor Park!”

Before he could even call out, hot coffee came over the window.

“Hello, manager. Is Baek Ha-ni inside?”

“…Yes, why?”

Along with a nonchalant voice, the rear window also went down, revealing Baek Ha-ni’s face.

Park Geon nodded and asked.

“I have something to talk about. Would it be better for me to go in, or would you like to come out?”

“Come in where… No, why are you using an umbrella when it’s not even raining?”

Park Geon twirled the parasol-sized umbrella he was holding in his hand.

“I asked Seon-i to borrow an umbrella from the production team. I thought you didn’t like the sun because you kept going into the van.”

It’s not like she’s a princess from the British royal family, who would use such an umbrella.

Baek Ha-ni, who bit her lip, lowered her voice.

“…Are you doing this on purpose right now? To embarrass me and kick me out of the set.”

“Why would I do that to a colleague? And I don’t like being embarrassed either.”

Park Geon, who retorted, corrected his words.

“Ah, actually, I don’t care much… I just wanted Baek Ha-ni to smile.”

“……”

When he comes out like this, she has nothing to say again. While Moon Seong-hoon was rolling his eyes to figure out the situation, Baek Ha-ni said brusquely.

“Tell me what you need. I can’t laugh at that kind of thing because it hurts my pride.”

“Ah, the matter.”

Park Geon rummaged through his *durumagi* waist as if he had just remembered. What came out in his hand was today’s script for ‘Butcher General’ tied with a straw rope.

“It’s our first time working together today, shall we practice the lines?”

.

.

.

About 10 minutes later, Lee Dong-soo slyly approached Park Geon, who had returned to the set.

Lee Dong-soo, who is two years younger, calls Park Geon *hyung* [older brother] and is the social butterfly of the set who gets along with Park Seon like a friend.

“Hyung, I heard you went to see actress Baek. What did you talk about?”

“We didn’t say much.”

“Come on, give me a hint. We’re even from different agencies, so we can’t even think about talking, so we can’t discuss acting or anything. Other actors are more frustrated than me.”

That’s actually the case. Until just a few minutes ago, wasn’t that the story that kept coming out for days?

Furthermore, Baek Ha-ni’s role, Song Yi-seol, has far more scenes with other actors than with Park Geon until the middle of the play.

An actor only needs to act well when the camera is rolling, but it’s frustrating because there’s no exchange even though they’ve started a 20-episode journey.

At that time, Park Geon suddenly stopped walking.

“I told him that story.”

“Yes?”

“Now that we’re on the same team, let’s talk a little when we need to. Don’t just float around like mercenaries who get paid.”

Lee Dong-soo blinked. He took the lead because he was frustrated, but he didn’t expect him to really say that.

“And maybe, if you talk to her first, she’ll answer well about the work. Please tell the others appropriately, Dong-soo.”

Park Geon gets the best synergy whether the other person is a cat or a foreigner, but even if they are the same acting monster, the impact on the other actor is different.

If we divide the trajectories, Baek Ha-ni is a typical lone wolf type. Even if you just adjust where to give and take power, the acting will be much easier.

“Wow, you’re really our hyung. I’ll tell Jo Yeo-sa and the other seniors well, thank you!”

Lee Dong-soo left with a brightened face. He’s talkative and playful, but he’s also a necessary role in these large projects.

In any case, raising the morale of the army is such a herald.

Before going to the production team camp, Park Geon suddenly looked at the entrance of the set where Baek Ha-ni’s van would be.

A simple thought popped out.

“I wonder where she’s been, she’s so clumsy.”

*

C&J headquarters, Content Division Head’s office.

Middle-aged men in suits shake hands with division head Jin Gyu-il and stand up.

“It was a beneficial meeting. I’ll see you again.”

“I felt the same way. I’ll contact the Vice Minister’s side in the near future.”

“If you do that… I’ll be waiting.”

Today’s meeting ended meaningfully. After the bigwigs from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Communications Commission left the office, team leader Jo Byeong-gil, who was seated behind him, handed him a handkerchief.

“You worked hard, division head.”

“What’s so hard about matching the tastes of old men? I was struggling to stay awake.”

He said that, but there were small beads of sweat on his forehead. It’s proof that he put that much effort into the meeting just now.

Jin Gyu-il, who wiped his forehead, took a sip of the tea that had cooled down. Team leader Jo asked carefully.

“Is it okay if you don’t control the Buyeo side anymore?”

“I’ve already rolled the dice there. Trying to do something here is just going to be a hindrance.”

“The Hyperion side keeps throwing jabs. If they catch even one flaw in the drama, whether it’s historical accuracy or acting skills, they’ll bite and tear it apart with all their might.”

Jin Gyu-il’s brow narrows.

Buyeo… Filming must be in full swing right now, but he doesn’t have the energy to pay attention to that side. At best, he’s forming a special TF [Task Force] to carry out Park Geon’s requests.

From the moment C&J, and CVN, drew their swords, every day is in the middle of a war.

The documents to be reviewed pile up every day, and there are just as many people to meet, sound out, and persuade.

In addition, he must lead and direct the marketing operations of each affiliate, including entertainment agencies, broadcasting channels, and the launch of its own OTT [Over-the-top media service].

But…….

‘There’s no way I’d be overwhelmed by just these things.’

This level is still just a preliminary battle.

If the third son, not the first or second, wants to put his name on the succession, he must prove his teeth by going through countless battles.

‘It’s a shame I didn’t spend less money… but expensive ingredients don’t necessarily make good dishes.’

Team leader Jo Byeong-gil understands his concerns well.

He is worried about the production cost of ‘Butcher General,’ which is less than ‘Hyperion,’ and the lineup of cast members who have not brought in more than Roman.

Of course, it was possible to bring in more actors, including Park Geon and Baek Ha-ni.

Even if you combine KBC’s external investors, DG and Joinus, this side is superior in terms of financial power.

The reason why he didn’t pour in production costs of 70 billion, 80 billion… or even 100 billion, is not because he was afraid of the risk of failure.

The first is pride, and the second is the issue of justification.

Anyway, they are fighting two against two. Roman and C&J, DG and Joinus. If we bring in another alliance in this 2:2 structure, the justification will weaken. Similar noises arise even when pressing down with overwhelming production costs.

Didn’t he feel painfully throughout his life competing with his two older brothers that what is as important as victory is the honor gained after victory?

That’s why the role of the alumnus who is fighting hard in Buyeo, that secret weapon, is so important.

Jin Gyu-il picked up the kettle and poured hot water into the empty teacup. White steam spread out like a fog of water that could not know an inch ahead.

“Let’s watch. Whose neck will be cut off first.”

* * *