[Seo Yeon-joo – Kim Sun-il ‘Special Mobility Team 808’ Begins Simulation Shooting]
The article had been correct. Finally, the day of the simulation shooting had arrived.
Looking back, time had passed incredibly quickly. Since unlocking special privileges, Sua had experienced an endless series of unbelievable events and hadn’t been able to rest for even a single day.
Was it hard? Well, it was. But does that mean she disliked it?
“Not at all. In fact, I like it. It’s the best.”
There was a time when failure in any field was all she encountered, and that era was cold. In contrast, wasn’t this current excitement fairly warm? Thus, this somewhat tense and excited heart could be enjoyable.
Sua repeated this to herself while calming down her anxiously pounding chest.
“First things first, a text came in.”
[Writer Lee Geum-sook]
[Those not driving themselves, please gather by 8:00 AM. We’ve rented a bus. We will go together.]
Sua naturally planned to join. She didn’t have a choice. To Sua, who was practically destitute, owning a car was like a dream.
“Let’s see, the gathering location…”
As Sua tried to check the gathering spot, she failed.
It wasn’t due to her low reading comprehension. An unexpected incoming call had merely blocked the screen.
“But…”
After recognizing the caller’s identity, Sua bit her tongue.
Seo Yeon-joo. The fact that it was none other than Seo Yeon-joo.
Sua first checked the time.
The gathering time was 8:00 AM; the current time was 5:00 AM.
“…There’s three hours left, so why so early?”
Is she calling so early in the morning for a reason? Difficult to even guess. Did she find out the details about the credit card incident?
“Anyway, I can’t not pick up. Focus!”
Sua armed herself with a firm expression in front of the mirror.
“Hello?”
“Holy cow, you’re awake? Hi, Sua.”
Seo Yeon-joo’s ever-bright voice was unchanged.
“Hopefully, I didn’t wake you up? It’s pretty early.”
“Yes.”
“Even in the interview, I saw how stiff your reactions were, but isn’t it too stiff now? We’re not even meeting for the first time, right?”
She was trembling. She was trembling.
“…Tell me your intentions.”
“Well, obviously, how will you head to today’s simulation shoot?”
Sua wondered if Yeon-joo hadn’t received the message.
“Just go to the exhibition hall entrance. Be there by 8:00.”
“Hmm? Are you talking about the rented bus?”
But immediately, a puzzled voice returned.
“Sua, the leading roles should stick together to build a bond. Also, your identity is still a secret from the personnel.”
“Among the leads?”
“Yes. Let’s go together. Meet in front of the doll department store.”
“Doll department store?”
When Sua was startled and repeated the question,
“Didn’t you lose your card nearby? Weren’t you living around that area? It felt like a suitable meeting spot.”
“Ah, that’s right. Yes, yes.”
Fortunately, Sua sighed in relief.
Soon after, the conversation swiftly concluded. Seo Yeon-joo personally mentioned that she would come and for Sua to wait in front of the doll department store.
Thus.
An hour later, Sua arrived in front of the doll department store.
“…”
Sua pressed her palms and face against the display window.
With the store not yet open, the dolls resting quietly inside were truly adorable. Maybe she’d buy them all later.
Hmm, rabbits are lonely creatures. They’d need doll friends. As Sua thought this and that,
─♩♪♬
A call came in.
“Hello.”
“Hello Sua, I’ll be there soon.”
As soon as Sua ended the call, she moved away from the doll department store. She couldn’t give the impression of just watching dolls. If the call hadn’t been there beforehand, it could’ve been a disaster.
Soon after, a sleek black van appeared. The moment the door gently opened, it revealed Seo Yeon-joo.
Seo Yeon-joo excitedly clapped her hands.
“Ta-dah, found you, Sua.”
Still wearing her headband. Sua greeted her briefly.
“Hello.”
“Huh? I mean, you’re wearing a cap? Considering the mask, I understand, but the cap too? And looking closer at your attire, hmm….”
Hearing this, Sua slightly panicked. Have I dressed weirdly?
She quickly assessed her appearance.
On her head, a white cap, and a black mask, on her body, tight black t-shirt with jeans. It was her best effort.
“…Why?”
“See, simulation shooting involves capturing the overall feel on the camera. If the costume is too minimal, it simply lacks impact.”
“Um…”
“Kim Sun-il, a hopeless trash like him dressed like this? I wouldn’t even bother commenting. However, since I like you, I’m saying this.”
It didn’t seem like a lie. Certainly, Seo Yeon-joo’s tone was filled with concern rather than criticism.
Also, as Sua observed Seo Yeon-joo’s appearance, it became apparent. Her outfit and makeup preparation were flawless.
“…But Sua, you’re genuinely pretty. How can you shine this way no matter what you wear? It’s kind of frustrating.”
Rather, Sua was despairing about something else.
“I’ve done the best I could…”
She must lack a sense of style.
There’s nothing to be done about it. She’ll have to learn fashion separately later.
“Sua, would you borrow some clothes from my wardrobe? We’ll stop by?”
Just then,
“You still don’t know Sua.”
A cave-like voice.
Looking now, there were more people in the van than just Seo Yeon-joo. Kim Sun-il was sitting conspicuously in another seat.
Ah, this is what she meant by the leads traveling together.
…However, she openly called him ‘irredeemable trash’ right in front of him? What is their relationship? As Sua was impacted by various aspects,
“Sua relies only on her acting. She’s different from you.”
“Huh?”
“Everyone, without embellishments, will solely unfold pure acting to persuasively portray the roles she takes.”
“Uh? Is that true? Right, it does seem so.”
Sua thought. What is suddenly going on?
A snowball of misunderstanding began rolling on its own. Simultaneously, Seo Yeon-joo stared at Sua with widened eyes.
“Sua, was that what you were doing? I didn’t know that and explained things unnecessarily? Oh, I’m so embarrassed. My face is burning.”
What should I answer?
Sua chose carefully but carefully…
“…Yes.”
She finally responded, with a slightly blushed and bowed down face.
Right, it’s better to be misunderstood.
The words about her dressing her best weren’t…
“…”
It was impossible to say otherwise.
…
Afterward, the van drove on without stopping.
The destination was the Comprehensive Film Studio in Jeonju.
For the filming of ‘Special Mobility Team 808,’ they even built an entire mansion; Sua was somewhat curious about what it looked like.
Soon, she forgot such thoughts. She was sleepy.
“Sleepy. I’m going mad with the urge to sleep.”
Since she woke up so early, it was natural to feel tired.
Alright, I’m so sleepy that I feel like collapsing…
“…”
Sua couldn’t fall asleep.
Because not only Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il were inside the van; there was another unexpected person.
“Hey, Sua, nice to see you.”
The representative of Mystic Enter. Kim I-seo spoke up.
‘Her child-like body holds the spirit of a professor.’
Amazing. Strange.
That was Sua’s first impression of Kim I-seo. The refined voice contrasting sharply with her tiny frame was striking.
To the point where the word ‘toddler’ fit perfectly. From Sua’s perspective at the back, Kim I-seo’s seat seemed completely unoccupied.
…However, Sua chose her words carefully. Kim I-seo. The person who instantly resolved the investment for ‘The Sword,’ a short film.
Someone who should be approached with caution.
“Hello. It’s good to meet you.”
Then a gentle laugh from up front.
“Speak casually. There’s no need for formality now. An actor upholds etiquette through their acting skills.”
Buuu–ng–
“Sua, where did you learn your acting?”
As the van continued to drive, Kim I-seo unexpectedly asked.
“I’ve examined everything carefully. Acting schools, acting academies, art centers… but none of those habits appear in Sua’s acting. I’m curious about your origins.”
What does all this mean? Sua blinked.
“I’ve never studied anywhere.”
The hands of Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il, who were flipping through script pages, paused.
“…Um, so, you’re still self-taught as a hobby?”
“Yes.”
“Sun-il and Yeon-joo thought we were joking earlier, but now with your confirmation, I must believe it, no matter how hard it may be to believe. Quite.”
Was our story going all around?
Sua had no proper response and decided to play the wallflower.
“Expectations.”
At that moment.
“Your acting creates anticipation.”
Kim I-seo emphasized that statement.
“Being excellent and creating anticipation are entirely different things. The moment something feels colorless and odorless, it becomes predictable and tiresome.”
Sua thought. Is that so? I never knew.
Kim I-seo directed the question to Seo Yeon-joo.
“Yeon-joo, what is acting?”
“Acting?”
Seo Yeon-joo, who didn’t expect to be questioned, took a moment to think but soon replied calmly.
“Isn’t acting a form of guidance?”
“Guidance?”
“Yes. Guiding audiences to feel certain emotions. An actor’s role is to provide such expressions.”
“What do you think, Sun-il?”
“Purity.”
Sun-il answered without hesitation.
“Acting is the concrete actions of realizing the goals of the character. You just need to think this way to keep it clean. Thinking complicatedly makes it dirty.”
“Now for the last question. What about you, Sua?”
Immediately, Sua felt all eyes on her. It was clear. Even if they didn’t physically turn their heads, everyone was waiting with anticipation for her answer.
“…”
“Sua?”
“I…”
For a moment, it felt as if the van had become eerily silent. Even among the roaring vehicle movement.
“When will you find the answer?”
The silence intensified.
For Sua, it was an unavoidable answer.
She doesn’t understand any of these complicated terms. However, it was also impossible to simply say she didn’t know. So, she responded with whatever came to mind.
“I’m still searching for that answer.”
The silence grew even stronger.
It was a response beyond her control.
These difficult topics were all new to her. She improvised with what occurred to her.
Was it too off? Sua waited anxiously.
And after a little while,
“Your statement now…”
Kim I-seo spoke.
“Means at least that you’ll continue acting until you find the answer?”
This happened just before reaching the destination.
◈◈◈◈◈
Mystic Enter dropped Sua off in the parking lot.
“Sua, see you later inside.”
A brief farewell with Seo Yeon-joo signaled a temporary parting. The three members of Mystic Enter had separate matters to discuss.
Sua checked her phone for the time.
It was now 8:00 AM. The rest of the crew should just be gathering and departing. In other words, she had arrived far too early.
…Let’s call it arriving early for the good. Factually, she was more like a lost soul.
The place turned out to be surprisingly spacious. Various studio buildings stood scattered everywhere, and something in the distance seemed to resemble an outdoor set.
So, what should someone stranded like me do?
After seriously contemplating for a moment,
“…I don’t think I’ll get a chance to come here again. Let’s look around.”
◈◈◈◈◈
11:30 AM. Jeonju Comprehensive Film Studio.
A drama is the harvest of countless efforts.
Thus, the previously spacious parking lot was now filled to the brim with buses, vans, and all kinds of vehicles.
All of this gathered solely for the simulation shoot.
Instead of a simple script reading, Lee Geum-sook and Choi Hee-won PD had chosen a simulation shoot. Hence, the parking lot buzzed with energy.
Naturally. The direction team, the sound team, the lighting team, the props team, the photography team, the costume team… all were giving it their all as if it were the real thing today.
“We’re using the outdoor set, so did you bring enough water?”
“Be careful while moving this. You’ll be responsible if it breaks.”
“Don’t place the chairs yet! There’s still much left to arrange!”
From the parking lot, equipment began being sequentially delivered to the outdoor set, and amidst this, those who had encountered each other again through ‘Special Mobility Team 808’ greeted each other joyfully.
“Wow, I didn’t expect to reunite through this work.”
“That’s true. ‘808’ seemed like it would remain perpetually incomplete.”
What once resembled a wasteland was now transformed.
The production team had made a major decision. Instead of securing a police station, they constructed a temporary headquarters for the Special Mobility Team right here. Standing before them was an incredibly sleek-looking SMT headquarters.
Chairs and cameras began circling around its entrance. Even for a rehearsal, the scale was different.
The actors arrived early, sitting on assorted chairs scattered around, chatting or reading scripts. And amidst this, there were personnel with cameras in hand who were closely following them.
“Hello! Does the role assigned to you feel right?”
“Didn’t we hear that the press isn’t coming today…?”
“Exactly. Don’t worry! We’re the marketing team!”
Only then did the actors relax and respond.
The marketing team was capturing this moment before the simulation shoot. Footage that might seem useless now could skyrocket in value if the drama became a hit.
As the barren outdoor set swelled with people, it naturally brimmed with vitality. Eventually, the growing crowd began exchanging stories.
Every story has a theme, and today was no different. The topic was clear.
“So, who in the world is playing Kim Yu-han? Is it you?”
“Nope, certainly not me. If I tried, they wouldn’t allow it.”
“I’m confident I spotted every male actor at the parking lot earlier, and they all already had their roles assigned. I truly have no clue who’s playing Kim Yu-han.”
“Is he coming today for sure?”
“He absolutely must. The fact that they blocked the press suggests certainty.”
Soon after, both Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il appeared simultaneously.
“Hi everyone, I’m here.”
“Hello.”
Without much ado, they received greetings from everyone and soon faced interviews from the production crew.
But the arrival of these major figures was not over yet.
“Wow, everyone’s full of energy today.”
Senior actor Hwang Myung-pil said this. Although not in a main role, wherever he appeared, he was always known as a premiere character actor.
He adjusted his magnifying glass glasses and addressed Seo Yeon-joo.
“Yeon-joo, it’s been a while. How are your rehearsals for Ha Yoon-jin going?”
“Who’s Yeon-joo? This is Ha Yoon-jin.”
“Haha, that’s why I said I like your confidence. So…”
Smiling and playfully responding, Seo Yeon-joo, and Hwang Myung-pil, with a smile, scanned the surroundings and asked,
“Where’s Kim Yu-han? I’d like to see his face.”
“Exactly, I’d also like to see him.”
Seo Yeon-joo shrugged, implying regret.
Since the atmosphere didn’t feel like they’d disclose any information soon, the topic shifted to something else.
“Hmm, now that you mention it, were the parking spots tidy?”
Someone broke out in laughter.
“Yes, I noticed. They were immaculately clean.”
“Helpless. The parking attendant had such sharp eyes; I was inadvertently intimidated.”
This was a story about a certain parking attendant.
“His eyes were so striking. His proportions too.”
“That guy’s back view was entirely like a celebrity.”
“…Isn’t he more than just a parking attendant? I noticed him checking things around Studio 1 and Studio 2 earlier.”
“To check for any trespassers. There have been instances where journalists snuck in before, and sometimes even fans create a commotion.”
“Too good to be just a parking attendant. He should be a model.”
“Therefore, I’m curious what he looks like without his mask.”
To Seo Yeon-joo, this was an inexplicable story.
“What are you talking about?”
“Haven’t you seen it, Yeon-joo? There was one parking attendant who stuck out. Everyone was slightly intimidated and ended up parking properly.”
Yeon-joo had noticed the neatly arranged parking lot.
But a parking attendant?
Does this place even have such a role?
While Seo Yeon-joo tilted her head wondering,
Author Lee Geum-sook and PD Choi Hee-won appeared.
“You’ve arrived!”
As everyone stood up to greet them, some couldn’t help but vocalize their curiosity immediately.
“Hello, Lee author! Why hasn’t Director Choi brought anyone else? Everyone’s waiting for Kim Yu-han here.”
“Goodness, that might make Director Choi feel bad.”
Author Lee Geum-sook skillfully replied while surveying her surroundings, but soon her face also reflected a look of confusion.
“…He really hasn’t come? What could be the reason? Let’s wait a bit longer.”
Right away, Lee Geum-sook took out her phone.
“Hello? Yes, yes. I informed you about the simulation shoot schedule, right? Oh, he’s already here? Ah, you’re at Studio 1? Would you come to the outdoor set now?”
The surrounding people watched this scene with curiosity.
There was good reason for it. Lee Geum-sook, known for crafting hit dramas with every script she penned, was now showing an unusually amicable attitude towards this actor – something none of them had ever seen before.
And shortly after,
“…”
All eyes converged onto the newcomer. Simultaneously, mouths either shut tight or hung open in surprise.
Everyone’s wide eyes.
“…”
The surroundings were filled with a deathly silence.
“Hello. My name is Kim Yu-han, and I’m playing the role of Sua.”
The parking attendant took off their cap and greeted them.
