Chapter 18: A Rookie’s Stand on Set

Caught? In a bad way or a good way? I couldn’t make sense of it.

Yoon Hee-ae and Song Heo-jun just laughed, looking at my bewildered expression.

I quickly turned, placed my hands on my stomach, and bowed to Yoon Hee-ae.

“Thank you…?”

The vibe felt like I should say thanks, or I’d feel guilty toward her, so I did. But why was everyone laughing? Was my reaction funny?

“Hahaha!”

Song Heo-jun slapped the table, laughing heartily.

“By the way,” he said, wiping tears from his eyes, turning to the quiet Ko Eun-hyuk. “Eun-hyuk, you acted well too.”

“…Yes. Thank you.”

Yoon Hee-ae added, “Your acting’s a bit lacking, though.”

“…Pardon?”

“But with some work, I think you’ll make a great Min Do-hyuk.”

With 17 years of acting experience since her child actor days, Yoon Hee-ae’s feedback left Ko Eun-hyuk stammering, unsure what to do with himself.

“T-Thank you.”

I turned to Ko Eun-hyuk, giving him a look that said, Good job. He caught my glance and beamed.

“How about we drop formalities, since we’re here?” Song Heo-jun suggested.

“I’m okay with that,” Yoon Hee-ae agreed readily.

“I’m okay too…” Ko Eun-hyuk said.

“Use informal speech, Eun-hyuk-ah,” Song Heo-jun teased.

“Oh, hyung-nim…”

Ko Eun-hyuk’s attempt at informal speech was adorably awkward. Seizing the moment, I gently tugged Yoon Hee-ae’s clothes and spoke up.

“Can I call you Unnie…?”

“…..”

“Oh… Is that okay?”

Yoon Hee-ae trembled, then hugged me, whispering that I was cute, making me feel all warm and fuzzy.

“What about me? What’ll you call me?” Song Heo-jun asked, his voice exaggerated, like he’d been waiting for his turn.

“Sunbae-nim.”

“Wow! That’s super disappointing! I’ll call you junior too.”

“Sure, whatever.”

Song Heo-jun was prone to scandals. A few years ago, didn’t he spark dating rumors just for attending a dinner with Yoon Hee-ae? I’d stick to calling him Sunbae-nim.

“Is everyone here?” Director Kang Jo-jo asked slowly, and a staff member signaled everyone was present.

“Let’s start again.”

Resuming the script reading, I scanned the script, feeling relaxed. The more we read, the more exhilarating it felt to sync with Yoon Hee-ae’s acting.

‘Let’s do this harder.’

‘Harder.’

Just then, a notification flashed quietly in my vision and faded.

[Sub-Quest ‘Build Chemistry with Ko Eun-hyuk’ Completed.]

[Reward Obtained.]

[Points: 0.5]

‘0.5 points? That’s a bit stingy, no?’

[Points can be lowered further.]

‘…You jerk.’

★★★

[(Im Bada) Our Bada started filming Save Me? Confirmation pics are up!!!!]

– Insaneeee!

– What do we do with our Bada?

– They said she’d transform into a high-class actor in Save Me, and it’s real.

– Sharp bob cut and a suit?

(Drama_Filming_Confirmation_Shot)

– Wow

– Damn

– Her face is so classy

– (Youth 2015_Student_GIF)(The Life of a Prosecutor_Smiling_GIF) She looked scruffy back then, when did she become a chaebol?

– Bada’s 23, and her filmography is wild?

– ᅲᅲᅲᅲ Love how hard she works

[(Save Me) Who’s her co-star?]

– He’s handsome

– Looks great with Bada

– Preview says it’s a hate relationship?

– Trying to kill me haha

– Yup, hate relationship! But Min Do-hyuk has a one-sided crush LOL

– Damn, that’s tasty

– But Ko Eun-hyuk? Hope he acts well… since Im Bada’s so good.

– I’m a bit worried about this

– Save Me’s basically a visual photoshoot lol Saw Song Heo-jun and Yoon Hee-ae’s confirmation shots, and they’re insane

– Hee-ae unnie

[(Save Me) LOL My boyfriend calling me a slave, how’s that?]

FYI, it’s from the drama

– Haha Title’s such clickbait

– Calling someone a slave?

LHahaha Crazy

[(Save Me) Drama Intro Released]

A drama about the desires and loves of chaebol third-gen sisters.

“You gain one, you lose one,” as their mother said.

So the sisters suppress their emotions, discard feelings, leading Lee In-hwa to panic disorder and Ewha-won to sociopathy.

Geumhwa Corporation grows, becoming Korea’s top brand.

But human affairs are unpredictable.

The sisters fall into unpredictable love.

Lee In-hwa, swept by sweet temptation, loves fiercely.

But loving love brings deep wounds. She abandons the man she loved.

Years later,

That man, Seo Min-sung, reappears as the son of ND Corporation, Geumhwa’s rival…

– Song Heo-jun’s vocal acting is insane, calling someone a slave without sounding cringy

– Hee-ae, Hee-ae ᅲᅲ Let’s win the grand prize this year

– Ewha-won’s a sociopath? Damn Insane

– Just saw the teaser, all the actors’ acting is great?

– Drama nerd here, my heart’s racing

[(Save Me) Hm… Is Im Bada’s acting actually good?]

– Not sure

– Honestly LOL

– Haha She’s been acting less than a year

– Bashing before the drama airs is a bit much~

[(Save Me) I think Ko Eun-hyuk’s the issue, not Im Bada]

Im Bada was in it briefly,

– Her diction and vocalization are clean and good

– Since the teaser dropped, no one’s saying she’s bad lolol

– That’s true

– Ko Eun-hyuk’s a rookie? His vocalization’s a bit off

– That face isn’t common, he’s handsome. I don’t say this often

– No good-looking male actors in dramas lately, Ko Eun-hyuk’s god-tier

– Hope he acts well, please…

Save Me, Episode 2 Filming Set

★★★

As Ko Eun-hyuk’s shoot wrapped, Director Kang Jo-jo took off his headset and clapped.

“…Eun-hyuk-ssi, your acting’s getting better.”

“Oh, thank you!”

Despite community concerns, Ko Eun-hyuk’s acting was improving unexpectedly, resembling the solid, vibrant, skilled actor from my past life.

Still, his timid personality remained.

Yet, I kept wanting to outshine him. He was my co-star, and I wanted to dominate in acting skill.

But.

A system window appeared, tormenting me.

[Fatigue: 40 hours accumulated.]

[Rest for 24 hours to reset fatigue.]

‘Ugh… My head hurts.’

The packed filming schedule left no time to recover from Time Travel’s fatigue.

Unable to rest on set, I relied on painkillers. Just before hitting 60 hours, I slept in the car or rested my body.

Still, I couldn’t stop smiling.

‘…Acting is fun.’

Others might think I’m crazy, but Ewha-won’s role was so fun. They were right—chaebol third-gen roles are the best.

Cool or warm sets, pretty clothes every day. I loved this environment.

“Bada-ya.”

“Oh, Seo-eun unnie.”

As filming began, I got a manager—Min Seo-eun, Cheon Ian’s former manager and CEO Min Ja-young’s sister.

When she first saw me, she said she was thrilled to escape the headache that was Cheon Ian.

“Here’s your iced Americano.”

“Thanks.”

I thanked Min Seo-eun, taking the coffee.

“You’re not drinking, Unnie?”

She grinned, empty-handed.

“I already drank mine.”

“Already?”

“I chug it in one go.”

True, Min Seo-eun had a quirky knack for downing Americanos instantly.

Glancing at my script, she asked casually, “Lines okay?”

“Lines? They’re fine.”

“I checked the script—episode 2 has a lot to memorize…”

“I pulled an all-nighter.”

She knew my struggle with memorizing lines.

CEO Min Ja-young had convinced me to share it, offering to add a confidentiality clause to the contract if I was worried.

Min Seo-eun, now my manager, highlighted lines and calculated their volume, helping me cut down Time Travel use.

“How far did you memorize?”

“Episode 3’s script is done.”

Memorized, sure. Lines are lines.

“What’d you think of my acting?”

“…Praise?”

“No, objectively.”

She reviewed a filmed clip and gave feedback.

“You’re a sociopath.”

“Yeah.”

“But it feels like there’s human emotion…”

In scenes with Min Do-hyuk, a hint of emotion showed, she said.

“…Oh. In their second meeting, I thought Ewha-won’s expression should have some emotion.”

“Why?”

“Ewha-won became a sociopath because she killed her emotions as a child, right?”

“Right.”

“But before that, when she played with Min Do-hyuk as a kid, I thought recalling those memories might bring out some emotion.”

And Ko Eun-hyuk calmly drew that out.

“Wow.”

Min Seo-eun looked at me, impressed.

“You shouldn’t be compared to Ian.”

“What do you mean?”

“When Ian was your age…”

As she continued, her phone buzzed with a message.

“Why’s there a message?”

“Who is it?”

“Ian. Speak of the devil.”

‘He’s doing a cameo in episode 2 today. Why’s he messaging?’

Judging by Min Seo-eun’s expression, something was up with Cheon Ian.

“Bada, I’m gonna call the CEO. Don’t approach anyone, and don’t let anyone approach you. Got it?”

“I’m not a kid.”

“Still.”

“Fine.”

As Min Seo-eun stepped away to make the call, I lowered my head to the script. Then, I heard staff whispering and looked up.

There was Kim Jung-woo, greeting Director Kang Jo-jo.

‘Why’s he here?’

Kang Jo-jo turned to the staff. “Actor Kim Jung-woo is here for a cameo in episode 2.”

That’s why Min Seo-eun looked uneasy? A cameo change? It happens in drama shoots.

I figured Kim Jung-woo’s aggressive agency might’ve stirred things up, as usual.

“Thank you for welcoming me, Director Jo-jo!” Kim Jung-woo said.

“No problem, Jung-woo-ssi.”

Kang Jo-jo greeted him calmly. Kim Jung-woo, in high spirits, spoke loudly.

“I’m so thrilled Director Jo-jo called me.”

Kang Jo-jo ignored the flattery.

“You know today’s scene?”

“Of course!”

Kim Jung-woo’s got some thick skin.

“Where’s my ex-girlfriend?”

‘Ugh.’

I turned, pretending to gag, then stood as Kim Jung-woo approached.

“There you are!”

“Hello, Sunbae-nim.”

“Oh, my ex-girlfriend!”

It’s disgusting. Why does he keep saying ex-girlfriend?

I racked my brain, trying to figure out his intentions.

‘It’s not some sleazy scheme, is it?’

“Feels great to see my ex-girlfriend! Like a real girlfriend.”

“What ex-girlfriend.”

“I mean, it could happen, right?”

His weird comment made the staff murmur.

‘Is he trying to start a scandal with me?’

I can’t let my first scandal be with a jerk like him.

“Let’s shake hands as exes…”

As Kim Jung-woo extended his hand, I covered my mouth with both hands, like I was nauseous, and shouted, “Ughhh!”