I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 108

At the scriptwriter’s question, Director Shin Dong-chun, his face glued to the monitor, chuckled softly.

‘It’s because Woo-jin and Hwa-rin are so good,’

A subtle, bubbly feeling spread among the staff.

‘It feels refreshing, right? If we add sound, filters, and enhance the visuals, it’ll be like a burst of pure freshness.’

‘The actors’ visuals match the drama perfectly, enhancing the romance vibe tenfold. It’s really good.’

First scene, first take. They had only just begun, yet the staff were already captivated by the ‘Boyfriend’ concept. A satisfied smile deepened on Director Shin Dong-chun’s face.

‘If the on-site staff are this into it, imagine how the viewers will be.’

The main point of ‘Boyfriend’ was the fluttering feeling, but writer Choi Na-na had other intentions. The school days that everyone has experienced or will experience. The emotions and memories unique to that time.

A story that resonates with the present or evokes empathy.

Director Shin Dong-chun, who was directing ‘Boyfriend,’ which was both heartwarming and slightly fantastical.

‘Cut!! Okay, let’s move on to the next scene!’

He gave the order to the entire auditorium. The makeup team rushed to Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin, and the 80 or so extras who had been gathered moved in a flurry. Soon, only Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin remained in the auditorium.

It was intentional.

Visually, all the surrounding students were gone, but in the script, they were still present. It was a directorial choice to emphasize Han In-ho and Lee Bo-min from a crowd of students, focusing the viewers’ attention on the two characters’ expressions and thoughts.

Soon.

‘Han In-ho, okay!’

‘Lee Bo-min too!’

Director Shin Dong-chun, having received the signal that the makeup touch-ups were complete, picked up the megaphone again.

‘Hi- Action!’

The camera first focuses on Kang Woo-jin. His eyes are slightly red. He had yawned just before. His face looks like he could fall asleep any moment. He’s indifferent and blunt. Kang Woo-jin, looking bored, lightly swept his hair back.

– Swish.

Kang Woo-jin was already perfectly embodying ‘Han In-ho.’

Then, Han In-ho blinks. The auditorium is quiet now, but in his ears, the principal’s speech is clearly audible. Everything is unfamiliar, yet everything is also a possibility. Han In-ho is thrown into that place.

Even so, Han In-ho doesn’t seem very interested in the entrance ceremony.

When will that bald principal’s speech end? Han In-ho’s eyes, slightly tilted, are already dead. The camera captures his complete lack of thought.

That’s when it happened.

– Swish.

Han In-ho’s eyes, which had been blankly staring at the principal, moved. He saw Lee Bo-min standing diagonally across the wall. The camera follows Han In-ho’s gaze. However, Han In-ho’s gaze quickly returned to the front.

‘……What’s she doing?’

The interest that had died is revived by Lee Bo-min. He was curious. In this auditorium, the only thing that piqued Han In-ho’s curiosity was Lee Bo-min. So, he glanced again.

‘Is she doing that composing thing again?’

Ignore it. If she gets caught and scolded, it’ll be fun to watch. Han In-ho’s eyes turn to the front again. But they tremble slightly. Should I look? No, stop looking. But maybe just for a moment? Various thoughts swim in his eyes.

Unbeknownst to himself, the clumsy emotions he hasn’t yet noticed move his pupils.

Finally.

– Swish.

Han In-ho’s gaze is fixed on Lee Bo-min again. But.

‘Ah.’

Unlike before, Lee Bo-min is also looking at Han In-ho. Their eyes meet. The camera alternates between the two. The strange eye contact lasts for about 5 seconds. What is this feeling? Han In-ho, who was wondering, hides the emotion he didn’t even realize he had.

Then.

‘Eat this.’

He shows his middle finger to Lee Bo-min. What the heck? Is he crazy? Lee Bo-min, scoffing in disbelief, stuck out her tongue. Their silent war didn’t last long, and Lee Bo-min turned her head to the front, seemingly sulking.

Han In-ho, watching her indifferently.

‘She’s sulking again.’

He muttered softly. The interesting thing is that a small smile spreads across his usually expressionless face. It’s so small and subtle that no one notices, but it’s filled with amusement and sincerity.

Of course, Han In-ho.

‘If I leave her alone, she’ll get over it.’

He still didn’t quite know what his own feelings were. Han In-ho was full of such clumsy things. But that creates a strange stimulation for the viewer. It makes their hearts ache.

As proof, the extras watching the current cut were in an uproar.

‘Kang Woo-jin… he’s so cute.’

‘Right? The way he smiled just now is so captivating.’

‘Doesn’t he have both the vibes of a tsundere [a person who is initially cold but later shows warmth] younger guy and an older guy? Ugh, I’m going crazy.’

‘If a younger guy like that was staring at me, I’d fall for him instantly.’

Most of them were girls.

The next day, late morning. Anyang.

The ‘Boyfriend’ filming team, having successfully completed their first shoot yesterday, set up camp in a vast park in Anyang. They had settled in what was known as the ‘Cherry Blossom Path’ inside the park. Cherry blossom trees lined both sides of a straight path.

A cherry blossom path that was finally chosen after searching through numerous famous cherry blossom spots in the country.

The reason for choosing it was simple. It was the most similar to the image in the script. Anyway, thanks to the filming team appearing in the park, onlookers gathered around.

‘Oh my, it looks like they’re filming something here!’

‘What is it? A drama? A movie?’

‘Can you see which celebrity is here?’

However, the crowd was controlled from quite a distance from the filming zone, so it wasn’t easy to see inside. So, why was the ‘Boyfriend’ team outside instead of at the high school? The answer was simple.

It was to film the first scene of the ‘Boyfriend’ script.

That is, the present, not the past. The cut where Han In-ho and Lee Bo-min in the present confirm their feelings for each other for the first time.

And a kiss scene to amplify the confirmed feelings.

Overall, it was a very important scene. No, it was a scene that could determine the success or failure of ‘Boyfriend.’

‘Cherry blossom petals are ready!’

‘Where?! Hey, no! Bring a few more boxes! Let’s not do things twice during filming!’

‘Yes, sir!’

‘Is that our staff over there?!’

‘It looks like someone watching!’

‘Why?? Are we just going to let them watch?! Ask them to move back because they’re in the camera shot!’

The passion of the dozens of staff members preparing for the shoot was quite intense. Of course, Director Shin Dong-chun, the overall director, was the same.

‘Okay, let’s turn on the wind machines! Both of them!’

Director Shin Dong-chun was currently checking the set-up wind machines. They were devices to scatter the cherry blossom petals beautifully.

‘Can’t they be stronger?? Oh, okay! Let’s scatter the cherry blossom petals lightly!’

Soon, cherry blossom petals were scattered for the rehearsal. However, all the cherry blossom petals prepared in the boxes were fake. It couldn’t be helped. After all, it was mid-July, summer. There was no way there would be cherry blossoms. But the season of ‘Boyfriend’ was spring, and the production team had to create a similar image.

‘How is it, Director!’

‘Hmm, it looks good. Let’s film it once and see the image.’

‘Should we attach some cherry blossom petals to the trees in the back??’

‘If we’re going to attach them, we’d have to do it all the way to the end? Then we wouldn’t be able to film even by night. And cleaning up would be a pain. Well, we’ll have to enhance the background with CG [computer graphics] as much as possible.’

‘Understood!’

Fortunately, the production budget provided by Netflix was quite substantial. So, they could spend a lot of money on special effects, so there wasn’t a big problem.

While the production team was putting their heart and soul into the background.

‘……’

Kang Woo-jin was sitting silently under the shade of a tree in the filming zone. He was looking down at the script with an indifferent face, his legs crossed. He was wearing a white shirt and jeans, suitable for spring, despite the hot summer. His hair was also styled. The atmosphere was calm and relaxed.

Several passing staff members couldn’t help but express their admiration.

‘Wasn’t this Woo-jin’s first rom-com [romantic comedy]? He’s so calm.’

‘I heard from the director that Woo-jin is usually like that. He doesn’t get excited about anything.’

‘Still… there’s a kiss scene coming up, right? And it’s been revised to be quite intense.’

‘Yeah, he’s a bit too calm. If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to stay still for even a second.’

That wasn’t the case.

‘No, wait a minute.’

In fact, Kang Woo-jin was just desperately trying to maintain his composure.

‘I’m dying, I’m so nervous.’

His heart was pounding so hard he felt like he was going to throw up. The nausea was severe. That day, that moment, had finally arrived. Leaving aside the success of the project, he had chosen ‘Boyfriend’ solely because of the kiss scene. And then, he was suddenly joined by top star and number one girl group member, Hwa-rin.

The kiss scene with her was just around the corner.

‘Is it really happening? Is this real? Wow, this is so surreal.’

Kang Woo-jin, with his expressionless face, felt like he was wandering in a dream while maintaining his composed expression. But the surrounding scenery was increasingly heading towards the kiss scene. The cameras being set up, the lights being installed, the wind machines being tested, the piled-up cherry blossom petals, the sound equipment being tested, the onlookers gathering in the distance.

How could he explain this feeling?

‘I’m going crazy.’

Woo-jin’s fingertips trembled slightly. Would Ryu Jung-min or Hong Hye-yeon be calm in this situation? Ha, I don’t know. No, just a few months ago, he was only seeing her on TV, a female celebrity who only existed in his imagination, and now he was going to have a kiss scene with her? He knew all this when he chose it, but Woo-jin had unconsciously had the delusion that this day wouldn’t come.

‘I’ve really made it, completely.’

However, it was just acting. But it was a moment that would be etched in Kang Woo-jin’s life history. It was then.

– Tap.

Someone tapped Kang Woo-jin’s shoulder as he sat. Woo-jin, startled, turned his head to see Choi Sung-gun with his ponytail standing there. Behind him, Woo-jin’s team was also visible. Among them was the burly Kim Dae-young. He had come to support him again today.

Then, Choi Sung-gun, with a deep smile, said to Woo-jin.

‘I came to ask how you were doing, but looking at your face, you don’t seem to be feeling anything? Am I right?’

No, I feel like I’m going to throw up. But Woo-jin, unable to express his true feelings, simply answered solemnly.

‘It’s acting.’

‘Haha, yeah, it’s acting. Anyway, the shoot starts in 10 minutes.’

‘Yes, CEO.’

Choi Sung-gun walked away after speaking. Han Ye-jung and Jang Su-hwan too. However, Kim Dae-young, who had been watching the surroundings, stood quietly next to Woo-jin.

‘Hey, Kang Woo-jin.’

He whispered softly. His tone was filled with sincerity.

‘Damn, I’m so jealous.’

Kang Woo-jin, pretending to read the script, replied.

‘Shut up. I feel like my heart is going to explode.’

‘I’m jealous. I’m so damn jealous.’

Kim Dae-young, who seemed to have a slight reality check, let out a long sigh and then handed something to Woo-jin along with a bottle of water.

– Swish.

It was a small bottle of mouthwash.

‘I saw this while I was buying snacks, so I bought it. Gargle a lot before you go in.’

‘……Okay.’

Kim Dae-young, who had thrown the word ‘jealous’ one last time, also walked away. Woo-jin quietly opened the mouthwash and rinsed his mouth, not too much. He repeated it.

Meanwhile.

‘Hwa-rin, I think this tree would be good? You’ll enjoy the flower viewing here and then run to Han In-ho.’

‘Yes, Director.’

Hwa-rin, wearing a denim jacket, was having a casual rehearsal with Director Shin Dong-chun. Her makeup was slightly darker than in the high school scenes. Her hair was long and flowing. Director Shin Dong-chun subtly asked Hwa-rin.

‘……Are you okay? It’s a cut that I changed to be more intense because of my greed – um, if it’s too much to be kissed so intensely, we can change it to be a bit lighter now.’

In fact, in this scene, Hwa-rin was the key, as was Kang Woo-jin. Her explosive power was important. So, Director Shin Dong-chun was taking care of Hwa-rin’s mental state.

But Hwa-rin was strong.

‘It’s okay, Director. What’s there to be burdened about? It’s acting.’

A smile even spread across her face. Director Shin Dong-chun was relieved.

‘That’s a relief. If it’s too hard, tell me right away.’

‘Yes, yes. I will.’

In reality, Hwa-rin was mentally prepared. No, to be precise, she had been like that since the script reading. Her heart still felt like it was going to explode when she saw her ultimate bias, Kang Woo-jin.

‘I think I’m a bit better now, less sensitive than before. Yeah. I can do it. I can kiss him well… I can film well. It’s acting. Yes, acting.’

To become a true successful fan, she had to produce the best scene today. So, Hwa-rin’s mental state was as solid as a rock.

Soon.

‘Okay – then! Let’s start filming in 5 minutes!’

Director Shin Dong-chun’s shout sped up the staff’s movements and Kang Woo-jin’s gargling. Hwa-rin, who already had experience, also joined in the gargling. She applied strawberry-flavored lip balm and even sprayed perfume, just in case.

Around this time.

‘Extras, please go in!’

The extras who would fill the background took their places in the filming zone.

– Swish.

Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin stood facing each other in front of the camera. A slightly awkward atmosphere flowed. Kang Woo-jin was the first to speak.

‘…Please take care of me.’

Hwa-rin, clearing her throat, swept her long hair back and gave a strange smile.

‘Yes. Please take care of me, Woo-jin.’

It was ticklish. For some reason, Woo-jin felt a tickling sensation from Hwa-rin’s short line. Ah, I’m going crazy. But there was no turning back now. Oh well, I don’t know. Now he had to go straight ahead. Soon, Woo-jin.

‘Hoo-‘

He took a small deep breath and woke up the sleeping Han In-ho. He spread it throughout his body. Soon, a fresh emotion spread through Woo-jin’s veins. The imprinted Han In-ho was installed.

At the same time.

‘Wind machines!’

‘Okay!’

‘Cherry blossom petals!’

‘Yes, sir!’

The staff in front of the camera clapped the slate!

‘Hi- Action!!’

Hwa-rin, with a smile in her eyes, or rather, Lee Bo-min, ran towards the tree in the back. Her excitement was excessive. She jumped and grabbed the cherry blossom petals fluttering in the air. Han In-ho watched her quietly.

The camera captured Han In-ho’s profile.

Many thoughts were mixed on his face. Why am I here? But it’s worth watching. It’s annoying. She’s the only one excited? She’s cute though. I want to go home, etc. Although there were no lines, Han In-ho’s inner thoughts were visible through his gaze, the speed at which he blinked, his expression, and his static movements.

Then.

‘Hey! Han In-ho!’

Lee Bo-min, who had gathered cherry blossom petals in both hands, ran quickly towards Han In-ho. She was overflowing with freshness, that was the vibe. Then, Lee Bo-min, standing in front of the blankly standing Han In-ho, grinned.

‘Look at this.’

She put the cherry blossom petals she had gathered in both hands in front of Han In-ho’s face. Han In-ho sighed softly.

‘So what.’

‘Ah! Smell the scent, the scent!’

Han In-ho, narrowing his brows, muttered appropriately.

‘I don’t smell anything.’

Lee Bo-min, annoyed, brought her nose to the cherry blossom petals.

‘A little closer! Like this!’

‘Get lost, I can smell your philtrum [the vertical groove between the base of the nose and the upper lip].’

‘Do you want to die?’

Lee Bo-min warned. If he didn’t do this, she would sulk all day. Han In-ho had no choice but to slowly bring his nose to the cherry blossom petals. Thanks to that, Lee Bo-min and Han In-ho’s faces became very close. About two fingers’ distance.

In that moment.

‘……’

A scent brushed against Han In-ho. It wasn’t coming from the cherry blossom petals. It was coming from Lee Bo-min, who was right next to him. From here, Han In-ho’s heart began to beat like crazy. No, was it Kang Woo-jin’s? For some reason, the boundary between the main body, Kang Woo-jin, and the imprinted Han In-ho became blurred.

Whatever it was, his heart was pounding wildly.

At this moment, Han In-ho or Kang Woo-jin couldn’t hear anything. Only the sound of his own pounding heartbeat. It was so intense that his temples were throbbing.

In that state, Han In-ho.

– Swish.

He made eye contact with Lee Bo-min, who was right in front of him, close enough to hear her breathing. The camera captured the two of them from the side, and the monitor displayed the raw emotions of the two actors. Director Shin Dong-chun swallowed hard.

‘Amazing, they both express that subtle feeling so naturally.’

The staff around him were slightly excited.

‘Ugh, it’s so sweet. I’m going to get diabetes.’

‘It’s so exciting. The visuals are insane.’

‘It’s like their acting… it feels like they really like each other?’

On the other hand, Han In-ho and Lee Bo-min, who had made eye contact.

‘……’

‘……’

Both were silent. Their gazes were directed at each other, but the nuances of their underlying emotions were different. The intensity was stronger on Han In-ho’s side. After about 5 seconds of eye contact, Han In-ho was the first to break down the dam due to the surge of emotions.

The way he looked at Lee Bo-min was filled with deep affection.

Then.

– Swish.

Han In-ho slowly moved his face through the cherry blossom petals piled on Lee Bo-min’s hand. The piled cherry blossom petals tickled Han In-ho’s cheeks. Thanks to that, the bubbly emotions were amplified.

It wasn’t long before he felt the touch of Lee Bo-min’s red lips.

Han In-ho’s lips lightly touched Lee Bo-min’s lips. The world stopped. Han In-ho or Kang Woo-jin, both were frozen. For Han In-ho, all that mattered was the softness he felt on his lips. It smelled like strawberries.

That’s when it happened. Lee Bo-min. No, Hwa-rin suddenly.

‘Hiccup!’

She hiccuped, startled. The sound was quite loud. At that moment, Kang Woo-jin, whose lips were touching Hwa-rin’s, was slightly flustered.

‘What, what was that? Was it an ad-lib?’