Chapter 33: The Best Acting (2)

“Jung Chanyul, we’ll finish your scene in one take. We’ll get some more full shots for Lee Haryeong and Choi Taek’s side.”

“Okay.”

The shoot repeated a few times, but once my turn was over, the ghost never appeared again.

So much for helping me give my best performance.

‘I thought I was going to die of a heart attack.’

That was the first time in my life I’d seen such a horrific ghost.

No, it was the first time I’d seen any ghost at all.

It walked on all fours, its neck twisted, its eyes showing only the whites, green drool dribbling from its mouth as it chased me—how could I not scream?

Thank goodness I’d memorized my lines perfectly. Otherwise, I’d have lost my mind and run for my life.

Sun Ji-yoon, unaware of the urgent situation I’d just been in, approached after her scene, sword prop in hand, and tapped me on the shoulder.

“Jeon Yeo-hoo! Your acting just now was incredible! I honestly thought only you could see the ghost.”

No, I really did see it.

I actually saw it.

“When you really get into a role, it feels like you can actually see things.”

I glanced sidelong at the sword from the previous take.

The ghost had vanished, but sticky green liquid still bubbled and dripped from Sun Ji-yoon’s sword.

Director Woo Hyun-sik, who’d just finished monitoring the last shot, stroked his chin, looking pleased.

“I think we’re done here. Let’s move to the next location!”

Once the director gave the OK, even the ghost’s traces—on Lee Haryeong’s sword and Choi Taek’s hand—melted away like snow.

If Jung Chanyul’s scene hadn’t gotten the OK in one take…

‘I don’t even want to imagine.’

I shook my head to forget about the ghost, when Choi Gun-hyung came over. He was holding a talisman still tangled with the ghost’s hair, so I instinctively edged away.

Choi Gun-hyung looked a little flustered.

Was it because I avoided him?

“Uh… Did I look angry to you?”

“Sorry?”

What is he talking about?

“Are you… upset with me?”

Choi Taek quickly waved his hand.

“No, not at all. It’s just… I don’t smile much, so people sometimes misunderstand.”

“If it’s just that, don’t worry about it.”

I’d seen Choi Gun-hyung’s expression countless times before the regression, so I’d never be mistaken.

‘I know all too well that he’s just naturally shy, expressionless, and lacking in social skills.’

Even his coming up to me at the reading was a huge surprise.

Still, Choi Gun-hyung didn’t seem to believe my answer and lingered in front of me like a stray cat.

He could at least try talking to me.

‘This is so awkward.’

It was already 2 a.m. Choi Gun-hyung’s scenes were done, so all that was left was to wrap up and go home.

“Um, sunbae? Is there something you wanted to say to me?”

At my words, Choi Gun-hyung finally mustered some courage, shuffled over, and sat next to me on a camping chair.

“I said at the reading, too. I want to learn a lot from you, Jeon Yeo-hoo.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Honestly, I really enjoyed today. It’s been a long time since I felt this way acting with someone around my age. I just wanted to let you know how I felt.”

Choi Gun-hyung was smiling.

“You’re going to be a great actor, Jeon Yeo-hoo. I guarantee it.”

Choi Gun-hyung, saying something like that to me…

Is this guy going to yell and take it all back later?

For now, I decided to respond like the respectful junior I was supposed to be.

“Thank you, sunbae. Like you said, and like you yourself, I’ll do my best to become a great actor.”

A junior should at least react like this to a senior, but since Choi Gun-hyung had no close juniors, praise like this was probably a first for him.

Overwhelmed, Choi Gun-hyung grabbed my hand.

Why the hand, though?

But in this situation, I couldn’t just pull away.

And besides, how could I tell someone so touched, ‘Actually, I was just faking it, so please let go’?

Choi Gun-hyung said with a moved expression,

“Thank you, really. I look forward to the rest of the shoot, hoobae.”

“Haha. Not at all…”

I just want to go wash my hands.

To the bathroom, to wash up.

*****

After wrapping up, I checked the status window again. The voucher I’d gotten from the Reverse Shop was gone without a trace.

Searching for the Reverse Shop on the board turned up nothing useful.

I considered asking Hae Jae-ban, but since he hadn’t even received a quest, there was no way he’d know about the Reverse Shop.

If I told him for no reason, it might just become a hassle.

What I learned this time: The Reverse Shop exists, and you can get things from it.

However, since I got an item for free, I still had no idea what kind of currency—or what value—I’d have to pay to buy something next time.

I’d have to check again once the shop reopened.

‘The problem is, I don’t know the conditions for opening the shop…’

In fact, I’d tried to open the shop several more times, but each time I got [Conditions not met] and it stayed closed.

The system just kept repeating itself.

[Penalty applied for selecting a Reverse Quest.]

[Please look forward to your next reward.]

[If you wish to return to the main quest, the system always respects the regressor’s decision…]

“I said I won’t.”

Not much help at all.

*****

A month into the  shoot.

The PR team’s youngest member was circling the set with a camera.

She was visiting the set for the first time today to shoot behind-the-scenes footage.

She had joined the studio marketing team out of pure respect and love for actors in movies, dramas, and productions. Even with the grueling schedule, she was always happy.

Earning money while seeing handsome and beautiful people—this was the pinnacle of dream jobs for her.

“Starting today, get a lot of interviews with the leads during the behind-the-scenes shoots. Try to get as many natural moments as possible. Don’t let any spoilers slip. Make it just fun enough to pique interest. Got it?”

“Yes, understood!”

Following her team leader’s advice, she bustled around the set with her camera.

She’d gotten some rehearsal and general atmosphere shots, so now she needed a few actor close-ups.

Sun Ji-yoon, spotting the making-of camera in her hands, waved at her from afar.

“Camera!”

The staffer spotted Sun Ji-yoon’s wave and hurried over.

Thus began Sun Ji-yoon’s interview.

“Your action in that last scene was amazing! Did you do any special training?”

“To prepare for this role, I attended action school even before the first reading. There’s a lot of flashy action, so please look forward to it. Um, Choi Taek isn’t here right now… Chanyul! Chanyul! Come over here!”

“Yes, sunbae.”

Chanyul?

At the name ‘Chanyul’, the staffer’s heart began to race.

The seniors who’d visited the set always made a fuss about the rookie playing Jung Chanyul—his face is no joke, the photos don’t do him justice—they always said.

Just how handsome could he be?

Ten years of being a movie actor fan.

She’d been to countless previews and seen lots of good-looking actors, so she was used to hearing people praise someone’s looks, but for some reason, she was nervous.

As Jeon Yeo-hoo came into the frame, she found herself looking at him instead of through the lens.

‘Dear God.’

“This is our flower boy Jeon Yeo-hoo—no, Jung Chanyul of .”

“Hello, I’m Jeon Yeo-hoo, playing Jung Chanyul. Please take good care of me.”

Even his hand wave is cute.

His smile is cute, too.

“Jung Chanyul is handsome, but he’s not very reliable, so Choi Taek and I have to support him a lot.”

“That’s only true in the drama. I’m a very dependable guy.”

“Jung Chanyul? He shakes like a leaf whenever he sees a ghost!”

“That’s… ahem.”

Even the way he clenched his fist and cleared his throat was cute.

“See? He’s a real scaredy-cat, isn’t he? Make sure to tease him a lot for it.”

“Lee Haryeong seems to hate me. Please, everyone, show me some love instead.”

“Please give lots of love to !”

“Return Exorcists, fighting~ HR Team 4, fighting~”

After the short interview ended and filming resumed, the staffer retreated to a quiet corner to replay the footage over and over.

Meanwhile, once the making-of staff left, Sun Ji-yoon nudged Jeon Yeo-hoo in the side and whispered,

“What was that? Why are you so good on camera? Anyone would think you’re always this cheerful.”

“Don’t you know about image making? Image making.”

“Wow, I didn’t know that term. Then today’s after-party making is… hey, where are you going? Where are you going, Jung Chanyul! Jung Chanyul!! Don’t run away!!”

*****

Two months into the shoot.

The episode being filmed this time was about the ○○ Corporation, whose CEO believes in ghosts.

The ○○ Corporation episode begins when the CEO, after failing in every new business and finding no help from shamans or priests, asks HR Team 4 for help.

HR Team 4’s goal is to soothe the ghost’s grudge at ○○ Corporation and help the new business succeed.

This episode was especially popular even in the drama, because the action scenes funded by a big OTT platform, flashy CG, stylish sound design, and the story of a corporate ghost all felt fresh.

At the same time, this is the episode where Jung Chanyul’s grandfather—and the mastermind—Jung Bae-min, first appears.

“Jung Goong-won sunbae.”

Finally, I’d get to see him again.

Of all the people I’d met before regression, he was the only one I ever truly opened up to in the end.

That was Jung Goong-won.

I’d met Jung Goong-won sunbae when I was nearly thirty-five, so this was at least ten years earlier than before.

How would Jung Goong-won sunbae act in his sixties?

Having the chance to act with him again was undoubtedly a huge opportunity for my career.

And today’s shoot wouldn’t end with just Jung Chanyul meeting Jung Bae-min.

 Episode 11.

Today’s shoot would go up to the point where Jung Chanyul discovers the true nature of the evil spirit inside Jung Bae-min and confronts him directly.

As soon as the made-up Jung Goong-won appeared on set, all the actors flocked over to greet him. Me included.

Ten years ago, Jung Goong-won sunbae’s face looked almost just like I remembered.

I shook his slightly younger hand and greeted him.

“I’m Jeon Yeo-hoo, playing Jung Chanyul. I look forward to working with you.”

“Jeon Yeo-hoo, I’ve heard a lot about you from Director Woo Hyun-sik. Don’t be nervous, let’s do our best.”

Watching Jung Goong-won walk away toward Director Woo Hyun-sik, I wondered,

Would I be able to stand as your equal now?

A pleasant excitement pulsed through my whole body.

There’s no winning or losing in acting.

But if a winner had to be decided—

I desperately hope that today’s winner will be me.