The number of scenes that could be filmed with the limited number of selected cast was restricted.
Mostly solo scenes with the key actors or scenes with me and Nam Hyun-ho.
Originally, the purpose of this vanguard team was to check the shooting environment and get the staff familiar with the shooting style here.
Since we had to review the overall shooting process.
However, our staff adapted to the environment quicker than expected, and since me, Nam Hyun-ho, and Heavenly Yuah worked together to minimize the number of scene takes, we were able to wrap up the schedule earlier than planned.
“Uh, you want my opinion on the Jangsanbeom version of Nam Baek-soo?”
“They say they want to consider the concerned party’s opinion. Since we have time, how about we go check?”
“Yes, sounds good. Actually, I was a bit curious too. Not just me, but many actors with unique combat styles, right?”
For this vanguard team, both writers joined us.
Writer Ok mentioned wanting to take a break and cool off during their vacation.
Yang Yuli joined saying she wanted to see what kind of environment her drama would be shot in.
Because if Gold Rush, America secures a contract with Finesse, the filming will happen here or at another nearby Finesse set.
In fact, these two could have relaxed while touring the set, but they’ve already joined the CG studio team.
Isn’t it more comfortable to do something rather than just relax?
They’re subtly diligent people.
Maybe it’s also out of a very writerly curiosity about how the characters they’ve planned will come out.
Anyway, the two are examining the character designs as advisory writers and assistant writers for this script.
Since this work has many characters who change their appearance during combat, we need to check regularly how the CG is being employed.
This should have been handled by Director Nam Hyun-a, who proposed the script, but she’s too occupied with the filming.
—Hey, looking at it again, this is impressive. The voice gradually changing. With good direction, this will become a memorable scene.
—That idiot…is an idiot, but he’s good at acting. A crazy guy armed with their own beliefs. Could use some direction here though…
—Miss Heavenly Yuah… this might be an awkward question, but have you ever chewed gum…? Oh, never mind?
Now they’re both editing all the footage shot so far with completely glazed eyes.
Is this a kind of occupational hazard?
But to some extent, it makes sense; we have top-notch subjects like Nana, Heavenly Yuah, and Nam Hyun-ho in a better shooting environment than Dream Studio.
As a director, it would be strange not to enjoy this situation.
We ultimately agreed to delegate the CG issues to the two writers who came with us and the assistant director.
And the two writers, who were deeply engrossed in discussing character designs, requested our input as actors, which was possible because we had finished our portion of the filming.
“But… why is he like that?”
“Uh… I’m not sure?”
With a fluttering heart, thinking it would be an interesting matter, I stopped by the CG studio only to find a complete mess.
A middle-aged bald man was yelling at Writer Ok.
—This is excessive! For a tiger-based hybrid, this degree is appropriate!
—What nonsense! You have to keep up with the times! These days, the trend isn’t like that!
Wow, Writer Ok really knows a lot of English.
Truly a Hollywood-optimized writer, huh?
The fiery red-faced bald middle-aged man and Writer Ok, who showed no fear even in front of Western fierce beasts, were fiercely exchanging words.
Neither side was backing down, and their confrontation was intense.
“What exactly is the issue here?”
“Ah, it’s about character modeling. Their opinions differ, so there’s been no progress.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, and that’s why we invited the actors.”
I asked Yang Yuli, who was awkwardly trying to calm them down, and it turned out to be a common difference of opinions arising from work.
Indeed, that’s why they called us.
First, we had to stop the two of them to understand what the problem was.
Nothing was going to proceed in that situation.
Once they realized that we were the actors who would directly portray these characters, Sam, the CG director here, greeted us with relief and showed us his planned version of Nam Baek-soo.
“Oh…”
On-screen, a naked man gradually transformed with just a click.
That naked body was clearly modeled after me.
They must have taken some shots earlier when they said they needed a few separate ones before filming.
But what about Heavenly Yuah? Where is she looking?
“Yuah Sempai?”
“….Hm? Oh no, it’s not that.”
“…What is it?”
“Nothing is ‘that.'”
“…Alright, let’s just say so.”
I did my best to ignore Heavenly Yuah, who was staring with hazy eyes at something and focused on the video instead.
Because it was starting to evolve dramatically.
The black hair turned white and lengthened, human pupils became tigers’, chest fur appeared, and even a tiger’s tail grew from the rear.
“This feels like a weretiger.”
“Doesn’t look bad, does it?”
Indeed, the character resembled the weretiger forms often seen in subculture.
As Heavenly Yuah said, it wasn’t bad.
Familiar tastes sometimes taste even better.
“If the character’s form is like this, we can almost proceed with the combat scenes regularly.”
“Since the base is human, I think so. There’s nothing to be especially concerned about.”
“At this level, it seems fine. What exactly does Writer Ok have an issue with…?”
After checking Sam’s plans, it was now Writer Ok’s turn to share their opinion.
But at a glance, it seemed Writer Ok had an even more radical idea.
“This is too boring. That’s why I asked for a few modifications. Sam, show what I suggested.”
“Okay. Please wait a moment.”
“…This…”
“Hmm…”
The proposal from Writer Ok was a bipedal tiger completely covered in white tiger stripes.
Not only that, it was a species of tiger with wildly fluttering white hair.
Isn’t it too tiger-like?
Of course, our movie portrays the Jangsanbeom as a tiger-like yokai, but is it necessary to take it this far?
Especially since it’s not a pure Jangsanbeom but a hybrid…
Besides, a tiger in a form like this suits quadrupedal walking better.
A bipedal tiger like this would feel more comedic.
True, the character needs to convey a lightness that matches their personality, but the combat scenes are different.
This side needs the most serious and thrilling approach, and a bipedal tiger seems somewhat out of place.
“Shouldn’t this be quadrupedal walking?”
“Right, that’s what I thought too.”
“…Quadrupedal combat scenes…”
“It’s Nam Baek-soo’s final form in this work.”
“…That’s right.”
“And most importantly, this is the only complete form of a fierce beast. The lycanthrope is closer to human form than beast form.”
“That’s true.”
“But if the Jangsanbeom’s final technique is like the weretiger, what’s the difference from the lycanthrope? Besides the difference between a tiger and a wolf.”
“…That is true…”
Our movie has a planned large-scale scene where lycanthropes attack.
The lycanthropes in this scene, as Sam showed us earlier, are closer to werewolves in human form.
Their noses and ears have changed to resemble wolves, but overall, they are closer to humans than wolves.
From this perspective, I can understand Writer Ok’s intention to differentiate the two characters.
“Then, how should the combat scenes go? With quadrupedal walking?”
“Exactly. They should really fight like fierce beasts.”
“How should I perform it?”
“…Crawl on all fours?”
If the savage beast joins the battlefield this way, the motion is likely to fuse the simplified tiger movements with my own.
But the most definitive and intuitive method would be for me to enact the scene fully and then apply CG on top of it.
It’s mainly because of coordination with the other actors.
Incidentally, this scene involves choreographing large action with multiple actors.
Having some kind of visual cue helps their performances become cleaner, right?
Our set, which favors the definitive, has a high probability of asking me to perform quadrupedal tiger movements.
“I’ve done all sorts of acting—I’m proud of that—but this quadrupedal beast is new.”
If this is the direction we’re going, should we just accept Sam’s proposal simply?…
“Wait a moment…”
Even I don’t think I can perfectly portray a quadrupedal tiger, but then I thought something else.
Maybe this tiger might become extremely popular.
Incidentally, this work has several furry creatures appearing.
The final evolution of those creatures would feel akin to this tiger.
Especially the extravagantly fluffy fur bundle that looks sacred…
“This has hidden potential. If it resonates well, the audience response could be far more powerful than regular fans.”
There are always those eccentrically wealthy patrons.
Could this be an opportunity for us to receive their support?
And more importantly…
“Sir, is this the Jangsanbeom’s final technique? It’s not just me using it, right? Sua also uses it, doesn’t she?”
“Yes, Sua joins the last battle.”
This isn’t something I do alone.
My younger sister, Sua, who is also played by a somewhat clumsy actress at home, is a Jangsanbeom hybrid.
And in the final battle, she joins me as the Jangsanbeom version in combat.
Which means…
“She’ll also have to do it. Quadrupedal walking.”
Wow. A four-legged furry show with the popular girl group leader?
Isn’t it a more potent weapon than anticipated?
And if we’re going this route, better to go all out.
“Let’s do it right. Can we prepare a costume like a fursuit for the performance? If the actors are to immerse themselves, something explicit would help.”
“Do you really plan to wear something like that?”
“Yes, Senior Yuah. Can we prepare two of these costumes? And let’s make a behind-the-scenes film for promotion. Fans will love it, and it could also become a topic of conversation.”
“Surely not, Mr. Siwoo. Do you plan to have, even, Miss Ha-Young wear it?”
“I believe she’ll elicit a far better response than me. Let’s consult with PMC—quietly, of course.”
“Wow, Mr. Siwoo… You’re genuinely scandalous?”
“What? I’m ordinary.”
The person herself would surely object if asked directly.
But the PMC I know is more like the spearhead of capitalism, enjoying such spontaneous events.
Could this extent be seen as fan service?
If I perform quadrupedal tiger Jangsanbeom cosplay alongside her…
“I bet they’ll be overjoyed they’re dying.”
Let me remind you, men naturally get sillier when in front of their blood relatives.
That has nothing to do with age.
And I’m the kind of man who would eat one piece of candy for my darling blood member if it means they can eat two.
“Let’s let her try a tiger suit and roar, ‘Kraaaang!'”
The mere thought fills me with endorphins!
