The short film Sword has officially begun its main shooting.
In the beech tree forest of Wanju, North Jeolla Province.
At the starting point, a thatched hut, various people had gathered. The actors, dressed in their costumes, and the staff, equipped with their gear, had finally all assembled—the entire production team for Sword.
The change in atmosphere was particularly noticeable.
It was very different from the bleak mood of the morning. This change was especially prominent on the extras’ faces. Those who had initially considered this filming as just a high-paying part-time job were now noticeably tense.
There were likely many reasons for this, but the two actors were the main causes.
The two pillars of Mystic Entertainment: Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il.
“Unbelievable! That’s really Seo Yeon-joo! And Kim Sun-il too!”
“I was just starting to relax, and now I’m tense again….”
Everyone had thought Seo Yeon-joo’s involvement was just a decoy.
Meaning, they believed she was merely a gimmick to attract extras. Even if it was real, they assumed Seo Yeon-joo would inevitably back out since she had no reason to participate.
However, reality differed greatly.
Unlike the extras who had nothing to lose, despite already possessing a golden filmography and a position where she should carefully select her projects, Seo Yeon-joo not only showed up but also brought Kim Sun-il with her.
There was no way not to be jaw-droppingly surprised.
It was then that Park Jun pulled out his phone. After displaying something on the screen, he showed it to everyone.
[Seo Yeon-joo & Kim Sun-il Join Park Director’s Film!]
[Is it too reckless to be involved at this point?]
[“Golden Filmmography.” Finally, a stain?]
“The collaboration announcement has finally been released. There’s no turning back.”
He then carefully observed the actors and staff. A director naturally carries a different weight of responsibility, and his voice was exceptionally serious.
“You all know that participating in my films alone is a sin. You’ve likely seen the countless critical articles about me.”
Everyone silently listened to his words.
“I also know. I’m a powerless director, and one who only walks downhill. Yet, you’ve all willingly gathered here despite knowing this. So, there’s one thing I’d like to promise.”
He took off his cap and bowed respectfully.
“I will truly give it my all. With a great sense of responsibility, I’ll do everything in my power to finish and present this work. Everyone, thank you so much.”
The listeners gave him a round of applause, after which the actors briefly introduced themselves. Su-a waved off her turn, and Kim Sun-il took the last spot.
“There won’t be many details. We’ll complete it.”
With his short statement, the introductions were concluded.
Park Jun seemed to have various thoughts as he observed the changed expressions of the extras. His expression became both complex and subtle as he continued speaking.
“I’ve booked the best hotel in Wanju for our lodging. For exactly one week, we’ll be traveling back and forth between the hotel and the forest, conducting a short and intense shoot. If there are any unavoidable circumstances, please let us know in advance. We can adjust the scene order accordingly to accommodate.”
After finishing his sentence, Park Jun’s head suddenly turned.
“And Ms. Su-a, who plays the role of Wi Ji-hye…”
Director Park hesitated mid-sentence while addressing Su-a.
A subtle ripple spread across the already-tense faces of the extras.
The reason was simple.
Main lead, master Wi Ji-hye portrayed by Su-a.
Main lead, disciple Ha-ryeong portrayed by Seo Yeon-joo.
Their improvised acting scene of the two perfectly timing each other in the one-minute free practice wasn’t easily forgotten, for a very good reason.
It was a ridiculous and subpar performance.
It was simply shocking, and the shock had been immense.
“…Ah, Ms. Su-a, all I ask is that you stay true to your role. Your first scene is with Son Ji-ah, so we’ll work on makeup together. For now, we’ll focus on other scenes.”
Su-a quietly nodded, and the uneasiness growing on the extras’ faces only intensified. Park Jun’s hurried attempt to wrap up the explanation was a big reason for this.
“Alright! Let’s get started! I kindly ask all of you for your best!”
“Yes! I kindly ask all of you for your best!”
With Park Jun’s shout as the signal, all the staff scattered in all directions. As the director announced the official start, the moment had come to move forward without looking back.
However, there were those who couldn’t leave the spot.
Namely, the roughly ten extras or supporting actors.
They waited until Su-a entered the dressing room, and as soon as her figure disappeared, they hurriedly rushed to Director Park.
Arriving directly in front of Park, they demanded.
“Director, what exactly is the identity of the Wi Ji-hye role?”
“Yeah, we saw earlier. Her acting seems a bit off, right?”
“Are we really going through with this?”
“As far as I know, the role of Wi Ji-hye is the most important… right?”
“I thought she was a master! I was totally fooled!”
Each of their shouted questions carried extreme urgency.
After all, until this morning, whether the film would succeed or not wasn’t something the extras had any reason to care about, but now the situation had drastically changed. Now, they too fervently hoped for the film’s success.
The reason for this shift in stance? Naturally, the trickle-down effect.
Initially, as they had nothing to lose, criticism in the press didn’t concern them much. However, with Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il now involved in the film, if it succeeded, they too would surely benefit.
In short, they’d stumbled into a no-risk, high-return gambling opportunity.
Who would want to end their acting career as a mere extra? Of course, everyone hoped for a good opportunity to reverse their fortunes.
Unexpectedly that chance had arrived. And yet…
They’d come face-to-face with a significant obstacle:
…Su-a, aka Wi Ji-hye.
Her free-style acting was visibly without resolution.
“Director, if you’d just say something…”
“Exactly. I was prepared to give it my all, but I’m uneasy.”
Wi Ji-hye. A main role with a level of importance incomparable to the simple extras. No matter how hard they rowed, it wouldn’t matter much. The moment she stumbled, the whole ship would capsize.
However, Park Jun only slowly shook his head.
“Just give your best in the roles you’ve been assigned.”
“But even if all of us do our best, if Wi Ji-hye falters….”
“Wi Ji-hye, I did the casting personally.”
He abruptly stated.
“Let’s not jump to conclusions. We can’t know anything before we see what the camera captures. Acting is something the actor handles. How much can discussing it with me change anything?”
With this, the extras were left unable to ask further. However, as they dispersed, they still murmured among themselves and couldn’t let go of their uncertain expressions.
Once they were all gone.
The cinematographer, who’d been nearby, spoke:
“Director Park, when you mentioned you watched and cast Ms. Su-a yourself, wasn’t the only performance you saw firsthand the role of Ha-ryeong?”
“…Yes, I only saw a bit of her recorded Wi Ji-hye performance.”
When Su-a and Park Jun had met in a café, he had seen her performance as Wi Ji-hye recorded on Su-a’s phone.
That was everything Park Jun had witnessed.
“Deciding based only on recorded footage… Hmm…”
The cinematographer left the sentence unfinished.
“…She was quite a time bomb, wasn’t she? Movies can feel so different in rehearsal compared to the actual set, and rookies don’t have much practical experience. They often hesitate in front of other actors or in front of the camera.”
The phenomenon of appearing like a sparkling gemstone but losing its shine the moment it arrived on-set was something very common in the “film” industry—like how the sun inevitably rises in the morning.
This especially happens with actors from idol groups.
Though they believe they have plenty of camera experience and perfect acting skills by their own standards, the moment they enter the set, they can’t mask their inexperience—they wander aimlessly like isolated islands.
And Su-a was not only a rookie but also an ordinary civilian.
Unlike idols, who at least had extensive stage experience…
The cinematographer scratched his cheek.
“A bit more cross-checking would have been necessary.”
“Hmm…”
But Director Park was deep in thought.
Though it was true that he only saw Su-a’s Wi Ji-hye performance on a small screen, it had been strangely convincing. Like something that proclaimed it could chew through practical experience and everything else.
Therefore, what troubled Park the most right now was this.
What was the emotion I felt back then? Did I overestimate Su-a? Was she simply a good rookie after all? Is it normal for rookies to falter on set?
“…”
But soon, he shook his head.
In fact, there had been another more pressing matter for him at the time.
“Of course, I know. The role of Wi Ji-hye is the most crucial in this film and had to be chosen very carefully. But back then, I didn’t feel the need to be that meticulous.”
“Why not?”
“Because Ms. Su-a was the only person who genuinely appreciated my film.”
“Ahhh…”
The cinematographer opened his mouth late in understanding.
“My film, which everyone had overlooked. This film that I clung to and shook around. Ms. Su-a was the only person who approached it purely out of affection. Moreover, she even brought in Seo Yeon-joo, Kim Sun-il, and secured the budget. What was there left for me to nitpick about?”
“That’s true…”
“If Ms. Su-a falters on-set, I still can’t think about replacing her. Originally, this is Su-a’s film.”
Director Park’s tone grew firmer as he spoke. It was as if he was solidifying his resolve with each word.
“Hmm…”
The cinematographer had a few things to say but decided to keep silent.
In truth, he’d been about to suggest “Isn’t it better to stop now that Su-a is showing her limitations?” But upon seeing Director Park’s face, he couldn’t bring himself to suggest it.
Director Park had the face of someone detached from public opinion. He had already made the decision to run for the person who trusted his film despite his own doubts. His attitude, laden with a heavy sense of responsibility, was evidence.
The cinematographer shook his head.
“This is hard. It’s a really difficult situation.”
If they continued like this, Director Park would be fulfilling his responsibility as a director, but there would be no guarantee for the film’s success. A significant stain might end up on Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il’s otherwise spotless filmographies.
But quitting here would also create problems.
Though it might be the safer choice, Director Park would end up carrying this burden for the rest of his life. The guilt for abandoning a work believed in by someone else.
Just then.
“Are the two of you free?”
An unexpected voice broke in—Kim Sun-il’s.
The cinematographer responded, bemused:
“…Free? My head feels like it’s going to explode.”
“Hmm,” Kim Sun-il quietly crossed his arms.
“To me, it seems like a waste of time.”
He pointed with his chin toward somewhere far.
At Su-a, who was walking out of the makeup tent looking changed.
