Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 85

Underdog’s Rebellion (5)

* * *

It’s Monday again.

The atmosphere on the set of ‘Hyperion’ is icy.

Ki Eun-seo is walking around like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at the slightest touch, and the other lead actors also have noticeably stiff expressions compared to usual.

The ones who feel sorry aren’t just the supporting and minor actors who are mindful of the leads.

PD [Production Director] Byung Seo-han is grabbing everyone he sees and berating them, so the staff are hiding, barely able to breathe.

“Hey, you bastard. Didn’t I tell you to get permission in advance for anything above the 95th floor of Eden Tower?”

“I-I’m sorry!”

“If you’re sorry, go and fix it. Don’t even think about coming near the set unless you can get the same schedule arranged within three days!”

The hand that had been stabbing his chest finally shoves the assistant director, who is on the verge of tears, causing him to fall.

From the director, who should be mediating conflicts and managing the set, to that raving lunatic, the actors’ stress only accumulates instead of being relieved.

And… most humans take out their emotions on those weaker than themselves.

“What, we’re being overtaken in viewership ratings? Us?”

This time, it’s Ki Eun-seo.

She had been quietly moving around the set, and it seems she overheard the lighting team staff chatting among themselves.

“Then you guys should act like Baek Ha-ni, or if you collapse under the lights, Han-bin *oppa* [term of endearment used by females to address older male friends or brothers] will come and save you, right? If you’re staff, try to be helpful to the actors, you useless freeloaders.”

At the venomous outburst, the staff can’t even apologize and are just trembling their lips.

If she used to at least pretend to be polite, now she’s just spewing abuse. Ki Eun-seo’s half-crazed eyes curve into a crescent shape.

“Why? Are you guys going to post it on Instagram too? Then I’ll post it too. Saying our drama is failing, that the actors on set are doing a shitty job, and gossiping behind our backs. Then if I get admitted to a mental hospital, who will have more supporters?”

“······.”

Even while watching the crazy woman who has pulled out the trigger, no one on set tries to stop her.

It’s not because they’re selfish. It’s because this kind of thing is commonplace on set.

If it were an actor of Ki Eun-seo’s level, they would have to endure even if she suddenly grabbed them by the collar, so having made a mistake, they’ve given up on mediating or anything else.

“It seems Eun-seo didn’t have her coffee this morning.”

Meanwhile, the three lead actors are watching the fire from across the river.

When Ahn Mi-rip, who had been watching with interest, spoke, Moon Han-bin checked his watch and replied.

“I’ll stop her in three minutes. Just in case someone might be recording.”

“Oh, if they release that, they’ll be hit with a mountain of content certifications and a huge amount of damages, right?”

“They might throw it all away, ready to leave this industry.”

“Well… there are a lot of crazy people among the coordinators and managers these days.”

No matter what the two are talking about, Kang Young-woong is sitting on a staff chair, just staring at the stock charts on his smartphone.

“By the way, do you think that video is real? What do you think, *oppa*?”

The fingers that had been tapping on her arm stopped for a moment.

In the 10-second-long filming footage released by ‘Butcher General,’ Park Geon momentarily moved out of the frame.

When the camera found him again, he was already holding Baek Ha-ni in a safe place. If someone didn’t know, they would have thought it was a special effect.

“I’m not sure.”

“Oh, you have the most experience among us. And you’re from Hollywood.”

Moon Han-bin turned his head away from Ki Eun-seo, who was screaming. The pretty and young actress from Joinus is looking at him with an innocent expression.

‘…The problem with those Joinus bastards is this. They think if they smile brightly, they look harmless.’

Is the video real? It’s not even worth talking about. Of course, that film is not manipulated.

They had already contacted the special effects team inside DG, as well as external experts, to verify it. If Roman’s guys had played a trick, they would have been disgraced long ago.

‘That’s why it’s more of a problem.’

He thought he was just an actor with good physicality, but isn’t that physical ability beyond human?

He still couldn’t forget the feeling he had felt that day at the Jarmani event.

-Don’t be cheap and gang up on people.

The moment Park Geon spoke, the fine hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and his hands and feet turned cold. It was the feeling he had when he was young… when he was high and driving a Baxter along the coast road and faced a cargo truck.

“…The others said they didn’t feel anything.”

Ahn Mi-rip widened her eyes and asked again.

“Huh? Didn’t feel what?”

“Ah, I was just thinking about something else.”

Leaving behind Ahn Mi-rip, who seemed somewhat disappointed, Moon Han-bin moved his steps.

Even then, Kang Young-woong was engrossed in his smartphone, and Ki Eun-seo was busy scolding even the senior member of the lighting team.

At this point, all the staff would be sharpening their knives. He should stop her soon to maintain the atmosphere on set appropriately and protect his image.

‘It would be nice if that expensive mouth would shut up on its own.’

A strong rival is a topic to be discussed with CEO Byun Dong-geun tonight.

*

The joy and sorrow of business are always relative.

When one side does well, the other side fades, and when one side is like a funeral home, the other side is, conversely, in a festive mood.

Of course, the festive mood right now is on the ‘Butcher General’ side.

“Have you seen that the Hyperion articles have completely stopped these days? That bastard Byung Seo-han doesn’t even shit on his Facebook anymore.”

“What can he say? The actors are desperately turning on YouTube and trying to resuscitate it. They’re begging their fans to give them some breath.”

“Oh, no way. How much did we win by in the last broadcast?”

“The highest viewership rating was 0.7%, and the average was 0.3%. We’ll probably go even further in next week’s broadcast.”

The filming team and senior members of the lighting team are gleefully criticizing the enemy, and the youngest members who have memorized all the viewership indicators are enlivening their seniors.

On the other side, the directors, including the martial arts, filming, art, and general directors, are gathered, having a lively discussion.

Seo Eung-seo, the filming director who directly witnessed Park Geon’s crazy performance, raises his voice.

“No, have you guys only lived being deceived? Even if a special forces grandfather comes, it won’t work. Park is just a monster.”

“I’ve seen a few Marine Corps documentaries, but wouldn’t it be possible for a top-class warrior there?”

“Possible my ass! Didn’t you see him running out at zero-to-one-hundred, hugging Baek and landing?”

“That’s true, but I’m not saying Park Geon isn’t great, but…”

PD Jeon In-woo mediates the quarrel between the art director and the filming director, as befitting the chief.

“Hey, stop it and let’s ask him. He’ll be out after finishing his makeup soon.”

Do Jong-woo, the martial arts director and representative ‘Park skeptic,’ quickly approached Park Geon, who was coming this way.

“Park, can I ask you something? I’m confused because everyone’s saying different things.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“That thing you showed us back then. Can all the special forces in our country do that? Or is it a feat that only the top 1% can do?”

Park Geon, who seemed to be contemplating, gave an ambiguous answer.

“It’s been a while since I was discharged, so I don’t know.”

“See, I’m right!”

“Stop being stubborn, how is that saying Director Seo is right!”

Meanwhile, Lee Dong-soo came wearing a T-shirt with ‘Bullet Man’ printed in large letters, embarrassing the people around him.

“Park *hyung* [term of endearment used by males to address older male friends or brothers]. I, Shuhei, am deeply moved and have decided to return to Joseon [historical name for Korea]. As a token of my oath, I offer you clothing made in my home country.”

“…Please, Dong-soo. I’m embarrassed.”

“The color scheme isn’t bad. Do you have my size too?”

“*Hyung*, let’s listen to Jo Hyun-ah *sunbae* [term used to address senior colleagues or alumni]. I don’t think you need to wear that…”

On top of that, Goo Shin-seung’s coffee truck and snack truck arrived, completing the masterpiece.

[Actor Goo Shin-seung supports ‘Butcher General’ and actor Park Geon]

Under the simple banner, there is only one photo of Goo Shin-seung’s profile.

It seems like he didn’t take on any other concepts because it’s an external event, but when you see this, he’s a naturally talented person with the ability to control his madness.

If Goo Shin-seung is someone who distinguishes between time and place, then Baek Ha-ni is someone who doesn’t distinguish between either.

However… is it because of the trauma from the accident a few days ago?

That Baek Ha-ni,

Was making three consecutive NGs [No Good – takes] today alone, something she never did during filming.

“Cut! Ha-ni, are you not feeling well today? Let’s take a short break and try again.”

*

S#.36 Lee Cheon-in’s Hideout (Room)

‘Butcher General’ is not just a simple action spectacle or a drama dealing with a vengeful spirit’s rampage.

The spirit of the nation.

And the curtain of tragedy where the outcasts and women, those abandoned by Joseon, struggle to protect their homeland, who didn’t even have the opportunity to unfold that spirit.

The leader of the independence army from a scholar’s family… a fallen officer from a samurai background… a Joseon nobleman who seemed to have devoted himself to the Japanese but was actually extracting information…

Numerous characters gather like the eye of a storm around the ‘Butcher Mask’ and become fiercely intertwined.

Among them, the point is Lee Cheon-in, who hates both Joseon and Japanese people but fights for his homeland.

And the two daughters of Joseon and Japan who feel affection for such Lee Cheon-in.

Haruka (Jo Hyun-ah), the third daughter of the Governor-General, hates Joseon because she lost her mother to a Joseon independence fighter, while Song Yi-seol (Baek Ha-ni), the granddaughter of *Daegam* [high-ranking official] Song Byeol-hak, hates this era.

Her grandfather, who volunteered to be a traitor to the nation to protect his family,

The Japanese who forcibly drafted her brother,

Joseon, a country that doesn’t even allow women to engage in independence activities or even hold guns,

Were all shackles that imprisoned her spirit and body.

Then, by chance, Song Yi-seol realizes the identity of the Butcher Mask.

-You were… the Butcher Mask.

-That’s right. I am the nightmare of Gyeongseong [old name for Seoul], the butcher of the Japanese, the owner of the blood-soaked bamboo hat.

After learning that Lee Cheon-in is the Butcher Mask, she feels an even greater liking for him.

-Miss, it’s dangerous!

-I know.

-Then immediately dismiss that man! If you are discovered by the police officers at Jongno, not only *Daegam*, but all the Joseon people in Gyeongseong will…

-Sorry, nanny. I will no longer sacrifice myself for this land.

Convinced that the boy who comforted her when she was crying in the stream as a child was Lee Cheon-in, her emotions grow uncontrollably.

Learning marksmanship with the help of Lee Jeong-nyeong, the leader of the Gyeongseong Independence Army, Song Yi-seol slowly removes the darkness in her heart and faces herself.

-Azaleas in full bloom. Should I resent this era where the power of women has waned, or should I hold a *Byeolshin-gut* [Korean shamanic ritual], blaming the sky for making him born as a commoner? Knowing that our love will not reach, I hate your beauty as well.

In the fate of a butcher who could not become a general, the tears of a woman who wanted to be a man fall and mix.

.

.

.

“…So that’s why she made so many NGs.”

“I know. She’s not an actress who can’t catch the feeling after a short break, so I feel sorry for worrying.”

During a short break.

Writer Young Do-eun, who was replaying the filming with PD Jeon In-woo, licked her lips.

“But Baek Ha-ni, doesn’t her acting tone seem subtly different?”

“Huh? Baek?”

“Yes. I thought the director gave her a different direction, but her emotions are definitely more intense than in the early part of the drama.”

Sometimes, the writer’s eyes, who are watching from a distance, are more accurate than the PD who is monitoring every moment.

Moreover, Young Do-eun has worked with many great actors from their 20s to their 80s. Her eye for grasping the texture of acting has surpassed the veteran level.

PD Jeon In-woo casually replies.

“There was nothing like that… well, maybe her interpretation of the character has changed. Isn’t it time for the romance with Lee Cheon-in to fully ripen?”

“Hmm.”

“In a word, she’s very immersed. She’s an actress who’s always been amazing at acting.”

“She’s always been immersed, but, how should I put it…”

Writer Young Do-eun, who was dragging her words, let out a meaningful laugh.

“Should I say she’s become more like Song Yi-seol, even Baek Ha-ni herself.”

*

“Good job.”

“Everyone worked hard. Let’s all go home and rest, and meet again at four o’clock.”

“…Director, that’s not going home!”

With PD Jeon In-woo’s declaration of a dawn commute, today’s filming was finished.

“Good job…”

Geon opened his mouth, but Baek Ha-ni is already walking far away. She’s walking away with quick steps without looking back, with an attitude like someone who has done something wrong.

‘Or… did I make a mistake?’

She’s been like this ever since that day. She acts well but suddenly makes NGs, and when the scene is over, she just leaves, so there’s no chance to talk.

Park Geon: [Shall we have lunch?]

Baek Ha-ni: [No]

Park Geon: [Don’t you drink coffee?]

Baek Ha-ni: [No]

Park Geon: [They say the filming time is changing today.]

Baek Ha-ni: [?]

Baek Ha-ni: [Yes]

She doesn’t come out even if he goes to her van. The messenger, which was the only way to communicate, is also like that, so he can’t guess at all.

Should I ask her manager?

While he was worrying, PD Jeon In-woo and Park Seon walked over from that side together. Both of them had flushed faces, as if they had been talking about something.

“Yo, Park! Seon has brought some good news, you’ll be surprised when you hear it?”

“Good news?”

“Yeah! *Hyung*, do you remember Chief Sim Soo-jin back then? The one we saw at Jarmani Korea!”

It would be strange to forget something that happened a few days ago. When he nodded, Park Seon whispered secretly, as if telling him not to be surprised.

“They officially contacted us. They want you to walk the runway as their model at this Paris Fashion Week.”

“Tell them no.”

“…Huh?”

Not knowing that he would refuse, not only Park Seon but also PD Jeon In-woo opened their mouths.

“They’re going to call the Hyperion actors again. They’re not really going to use me as a model, they’re just going to show me around and have a second round.”

“No, no! This time, they’re really only calling *hyung*, and the company has received proposals for a new ambassador contract, runway model, and show order.”

While Park Seon was hurriedly explaining, PD Jeon In-woo also chimed in as if it were his own business.

“Yes, this is a really good opportunity. Fashion houses used to pick a lot of Korean stars for a while, but these days it’s been a bit sluggish. If Park makes a strong impression on global fans at a time like this…”

“Our drama will be of great help to the C&J OTT [Over-The-Top – streaming service] that will be launched soon!”

“That’s right. I saw the ‘Hoe-do Team’ and their walking was like models, it’s a piece of cake for Park. Since it’s France, is it snails?”

Geon presented a realistic problem.

“It will interfere with the filming schedule.”

“What are you talking about? I’m calendar ghost Jeon In-woo, even if Park is gone for a day or two, it won’t stop and it will go back. We’re not mayflies who shoot and broadcast on the same day with a script on the spot, that much gap is no problem.”

The director of the filming work is pushing his back this far, so it would be strange to refuse any further.

Anyway, if he is appointed as a new ambassador, the promotional effect will follow secondarily. If he’s going to do it, it’s better to run properly and come back.

“I understand. I’ll shoot as much as I can so that it doesn’t cause as much damage as possible.”

“Okay! Anyway, that person is in Paris right now, if *hyung* says he’s going, he’ll probably be very happy.”

“Huh? That person?”

He only often exchanged talks with his old colleagues, and he didn’t go back and forth on SNS at all. Of course, he has no idea who is going where.

Park Seon smiled and held out his smartphone.

“Here, see for yourself.”

He could tell who ‘that person’ was as soon as he saw the floating photo.

Against the backdrop of Montmartre Hill, a face wearing a sombrero was taking a pose full of pretense.

Satto_Byun

Montmartre when thirsty.

*