Unlike the original script, which had no intersection with the other main characters, the current script required at least a few scenes to be filmed together with the other main characters.
I had assumed I would join the filming soon, but because Elder Yoon’s solo storyline was quite long, I hadn’t yet had the opportunity to observe the performances of the other lead actors.
Now, with a significant portion of Elder Yoon’s solo scenes wrapped up, and with security concerns somewhat relaxed, I’ve been able to join the filming location.
Truthfully, I was a little curious.
I wanted to witness firsthand how successful actors of my age performed on set.
If it hadn’t been for the burden of minimizing contact with other actors to avoid being discovered, I would have visited other filming locations much earlier.
“Professor Baek…is that you?”
“Did you hear any rumors? You know…”
“Pfft, what nonsense…”
Upon joining the filming location, I noticed the staff’s reactions were somewhat peculiar.
It seems the rumors are spreading quickly, just as Director Yoo intended.
As for me, I wasn’t particularly bothered, since I had anticipated this. The staff still seemed skeptical of the rumors.
However, the real issue here is something else, isn’t it?
The problem lies in the condition of the two male leads, especially Jo Yoo-shin, whose state seems less than ideal.
“Mr. Jo. Your emotions are too over-the-top. Be more detached. Director Seo’s character, no matter how angry internally, must remain calm—exuding coolness. Any hint of excitement will break the character.”
“…Understood.”
Just before filming, Jo Yoo-shin had created a tense atmosphere with Lion. But upon seeing me, he appeared even more agitated.
Judging by how someone who used to ignore my presence is now acting this way, it seems he’s gotten some information as well.
Of course, with the rumors flying around so wildly, it’s hard to believe he hasn’t heard anything.
The fact that he hasn’t confronted me yet suggests he’s still unsure, but…
Regardless, the character that Jo Yoo-shin portrays, Director Seo, never gets agitated in any situation. If agitation creeps into this scene, only he will end up in trouble.
That’s why the last take failed.
“Actor Jo is still fired up.”
“Recently, the atmosphere has been low-pressure. The tension between him and Mr. Lion remains.”
“Is this what they call ‘celebrity disease’?”
“It’s not so much ‘celebrity disease’ as it is ‘main character disease.’ This sort of conflict is bound to occur when actors with ambiguous rankings are brought together. Their egos are known to be strong.”
“Though Mr. Lion seems relatively calm compared to that.”
“Mr. Lion has been around the film industry for years. He knows how to read the mood. Right now, actor Jo is digging his own grave by acting this way, and there’s no need for Mr. Lion to get involved.”
“Is Mr. Lion definitively better, then?”
“If anything, it’s more like an outright win.”
Listening in on the staff’s whispers from a distance, I got a sense of the overall mood on set.
Separate from my situation, it seems the atmosphere was already less than optimal.
Now I understand why there was competition for Lion’s romantic storyline. It seems there has always been a bit of conflict between them.
And the ‘main character disease’ hints at excessive egos, making them believe they should receive the most attention.
Most striking was their description of unclear rankings. After pondering it, their assessment seemed plausible.
Take Jo Yoo-shin, for example, who debuted as a child actor.
Typically, in the entertainment industry, if a child actor’s career stagnates and they re-debut later as an adult actor, they are seen as a newcomer. However, there are exceptions, such as if the child actor played a leading role during their early career, in which case their experience can count.
This can get complicated, though, as there are no set rules or customs, and individual opinions vary.
Jo Yoo-shin, who played a vital role as a child actor, has been acting for two years.
Lion, who debuted as an idol four years ago, has been acting for four years.
And Ji Seo-eun, a five-year veteran in the idol industry, has been acting for five years.
Though Ji Seo-eun, the youngest in age, has been acting for five years and does not seem overly competitive, the two male actors of the same age appear to be caught in a silent rivalry, each thinking he holds the upper hand.
If they were friends, there would likely be no such conflict. But entertainers often care deeply about their egos even in trivial matters, much like senior soldiers enforcing unnecessary discipline in the army.
Particularly Jo Yoo-shin, whose childish personality is pronounced, seems to think of himself as the main character, making such clashes almost inevitable.
What an absurd situation to see male actors engaged in petty conflicts. Female actors at least have the beauty aspect to justify this kind of competition, but these two…
It made me want to lock them all up in a reform education camp run by the New Religion to straighten out their attitudes.
In such situations, the reactions of others matter more than the conflict between the two individuals. Based on the evaluations, opinions about Lion seem more favorable.
After rolling around in the cutthroat entertainment industry for five years, Lion appears to show the utmost respect to the staff and other actors.
Even in how he looks at me, for instance—both he and Jo Yoo-shin have essentially lost screen time to me, yet he doesn’t seem particularly dissatisfied.
Furthermore, it seems he’s gotten some information but hasn’t made it evident, unlike Jo Yoo-shin who immediately acts irritated.
It’s a far better response.
Moreover, in Lion’s case, there’s an underlying sense of familiarity as the awkward one from our group is actually signed to his company.
Although our awkward one will soon fail the upcoming debut selection, they are still affiliated for now, so we’re not entirely unconnected.
While it may not seem significant now, if any issues arise, siding with Lion would likely be the better choice.
“Scene, 7-21-1, Go!”
—Are you seriously saying that now?
—Sir, but…
—What did I believe, pushing your side? Did Mr. Jung teach you this?
—Father, you…
—Enough, I’ve heard all I need to. I came here to see what you had to say, but… I’ll remember this meeting today.
Today’s scene with Lion was about Manager Jung discovering that Elder Yoon has been gradually purchasing shares, as portrayed by Lion taking his father’s place to probe Elder Yoon’s intentions.
Elder Yoon already knows that Manager Jung has been acting alongside Yoon Seo-eun. Still, to conceal his true intentions, he dismisses Manager Jung without hesitation.
With the mindset that proper acting must prevail despite the underlying familiarity I feel towards Lion, I poured all my energy into delivering an intense performance, shouting as if in earnest.
Seeing Lion respond so well to my shouting demonstrated why he has earned the nickname ‘natural-born actor.’
His face grew pale, and even his fingertips trembled, so convincingly that it almost felt real.
Facial expressions, especially maintaining a pale complexion, is not an easy act.
It seems the actors’ abilities surpass what I had initially thought.
“Okay, good job.”
As the director’s approval rang out, Lion quickly exited the set.
Seeing him hastily bow and then leave made me suspect he was uneasy.
Why is he in such a rush?
As I moved from the set and passed by Lion, my gaze fell on Ji Seo-eun standing aside, lost in thought.
She’s a familiar face to me, having shared scenes multiple times, and it seems zoning out is a part of her normal routine.
Even during moments of tension between Lion and Jo Yoo-shin, she remains consistently aloof.
Indeed, ‘pre-debut Ji Seo-eun’ is somewhat famous in the industry.
On stage and in acting, she’s exceptional, but normally she appears expressionless and lost in her thoughts. Fans jokingly refer to this state as ‘pre-debut Seon.’
While the phrase ‘pre-debut’ usually critiques a lack of preparation or professionalism, Ji Seo-eun’s case seems more of a cultural meme due to her fame.
As I moved to another set, avoiding eye contact, I caught Jo Yoo-shin watching me with a resentful glare—an unfriendly look indeed.
His ongoing sour attitude towards me might stem from his own missteps that indirectly led to my expanded role.
If someone dislikes me without reason, it’s only natural, according to certain codes of justice in the entertainment world, to give them a reason to dislike me.
This is making me itch to involve the New Religion in some way.
*
Truly, the Korean people are remarkable.
Within a week, netizens and journalists alike uncovered the secrets Director Yoo had hidden.
It seems people were more interested in Elder Yoon than I anticipated.
When guaranteeing clicks, journalists will do anything, right?
This was a big story, and the journalists were quite serious about it. Armed with significant materials, they pressured Director Yoo, who reluctantly admitted to the truth, confirming the facts.
I, too, felt awkward as I participated in an interview with a well-known media outlet.
—So…this person is…
—Hello, I’m new actor White Siu.
—Whoa, this person really is Elder Yoon?
—Ah, how can we prove it… This is fitting, hmm. Ahem. Miss, are you feeling tired?
—Wow, it’s really him. Oh, does the voice change while acting too?
—Seems like the tone fits Elder Yoon better. I’ve practiced a bit.
—How can you practice…
My interview made headlines that very day, posted online alongside the subtle teasers Director Yoo had prepared—scenes in which everyone fell for my disguise as Elder Yoon.
—Isn’t this…a 20-year-old?
—No one in their right mind would do such a thing.
—Seriously, he put himself through special makeup to play a 70-year-old?
—This is hilarious. No one noticed.
—Yang Jin-gyu must be mad now. Hahah!
That’s how Director Yoo’s bombshell began bombarding the internet.
People even came to verify whether the portrayal of a 70-year-old actor by a 20-year-old was genuine, and the rating for “Genius Copywriter, Yoon Seo-eun,” episode 6, hit 18.7%.
Not only did the audience take notice, but the name White Siu started to register in the minds of industry insiders.
Though, it hasn’t yet left an incredibly deep impression.
