After Story 34

He wasn't someone who could be blunt about what he said, especially if it was something that would make the other party displeased. This was also the reason he wasn't able to reply to Jiwon's innocent question.

"Uhm, noona." Yoonseok put the camera down.

Jiwon stared at him. If he kept hesitating, Jiseon would probably explain in his stead. After all, she was a very considerate person. However, this was something he had to say. It was his responsibility as a director.

"What is it?"

"It was really good when we practiced it by ourselves. I'm not lying. But seeing you and Maru-hyung on camera…."

"It's bad?"

"Yes."

"To the point you can't bear to watch it?"

Yoonseok pulled his chin inwards instead of replying. He didn't know it would be this bad. This wasn't a scene that had any dynamic lines or complex actions. It was a scene where they just had to look at each other. He thought that they wouldn't have any trouble in this scene given Maru's acting skills, but now that they actually checked it through the camera, it was unbearably bad.

Just exchanging gazes was this bad, so how would it be if they exchanged lines? He couldn't possibly imagine.

"So I really can't do it. I didn't learn professionally after all."

"I'm so sorry."

"Don't be. I'm fine either way."

Jiwon walked over and asked him to show her the video. Yoonseok played back the video that he shot for about a minute. After watching for about 30 seconds, Jiwon turned off the screen, saying that she didn't need to watch anymore.

"I find it strange too. But was my expression this bad?"

"No, that's not it. You feel similar to when you were shooting before, but…."

Yoonseok glanced at Maru. He believed that someone on Jiwon's level wouldn't have a problem. This was his first work, and he didn't get anyone's support, so he was grateful to her instead.

When he tried having one of the production crew do the same scene with her, he believed that Jiwon was the perfect person for the deceased girlfriend role.

However, now that they put her with Maru, he couldn't help but catch her downsides. There weren't many scenes, but the character was important for portraying the main character's feelings, so they couldn't do with a half-hearted character.

"Since it's like this, don't you think we should use a professional actor like Mr. Maru over here? Even I find myself awkward, so what would other people think?" Jiwon said.

It was a valid opinion. Since the two of them didn't suit each other, they just had to find someone that did. The problem was that it was very difficult to find an actor for the job.

"Why don't you teach her a little bit, hyung?" Yoonseok asked with difficulty. Considering the environment they were in, this was the most realistic option.

As long as Maru agreed, there was no better method than this. Yoonseok looked downwards. It was the best option considering the convenience of the shoot, but the actor would not benefit in any way.

They brought him here asking him to act for them, and now he was supposed to teach someone else? That was ridiculous.

"You know that you shouldn't be saying such a thing, right?" Maru said. He was rebuking him softly.

Yoonseok looked Maru in the eyes with his mouth shut.

"I'm sorry, I said something wrong."

"As long as you know. I'm sure you considered the other options as well. It's not like I don't know the situation here, so I don't plan to say anything about it. Erm, Miss Jiwon, I'm not that good at teaching, but would you like to learn a couple things?"

Maru agreed. Yoonseok looked at Jiwon in relief.

"That's a bit…."

Jiwon didn't finish her words, as though she couldn't accept. As Yoonseok was thinking that she was of course going to accept, it took a lot of time for him to ask why.

"When you guys first asked me for help, I told you that I can't invest so much time into it. Also, if you're going to do it professionally like this, I want to help in some other way rather than as an actress. Honestly, it's too much for me."

Jiwon seemed to have changed her mind after seeing the video she shot with Maru. They couldn't exactly ask her to do it now. After all, she was only helping out her cute juniors and not getting a single penny. They couldn't force her to do what she did not want to.

"Call me if you need my help in other things, but I don't think acting is for me."

As always, Jiwon left after an energetic goodbye. Before she left, she asked Maru to take care of the others.

"What now?" he subconsciously uttered.

There was no actor that would answer them even if they post something on internet communities. They had sent dozens of emails after seeing posts written by actors, but Maru was the only one who responded. They couldn't imagine how long it would take to find an actress.

"It was harder precisely because there were no lines," Jiseon said.

Yoonseok fidgeted and kept thinking. They needed to find a way.

"Jiseon, would you like to try acting?"

"I'm sorry, but absolutely not."

He got a response he was expecting. Jiseon was also interested in production, not acting.

Some of his acquaintances came to mind. He tried calling some of the people who showed interest.

"Oh, okay. I see."

He called three people, but not a single one of them gave him a positive reply. This was bad. Their insufficient preparation was holding them back again.

They put too much focus on the main character that they hadn't thought about this scenario. Yoonseok posted an article on the internet community for now. He copy and pasted his last one and changed it to finding an actress instead of a male actor.

Jiseon also gave a few people a call, but she shook her head as though she didn't get any results.

"Hyung. I think it'll take some time. I'm sorry."

"It's not easy to find people, especially if it's something being made by a few college students who aren't even majors."

Maru's rational analysis poked his heart. He was entirely right. In the case of famous Art Universities, some famous actors would try to join them.

However, not only did Hohun University not have a department related to drama or film, the producers were only little chicklings, so it was natural that they received little interest.

Even if he was an actor, he would not try to join a production crew that looked Ike they were doing it as a hobby and would have chosen to go with a more professional team instead.

"Director Lee." A voice pulled him out of his thoughts. It was Maru, who was taking out his phone.

"If you're okay with it, I'd like to recommend an actress."

Yoonseok stood up and approached Maru. "I'm unconditionally okay with it. If it's someone you know, there's no need to hesitate."

"What are you going to do if you get disappointed later?"

"We don't have anyone now, so how could I possibly feel disappointed? I'd welcome anyone."

"I'll call her for now. It might not work out though, since she seems busy these days."

Maru put his phone against his ear and left the lecture room. Yoonseok clasped his hands and prayed for that person to come. He even thought to himself that he would start going to church if she did.

"It's been 10 minutes since we uploaded it, but we got zero views. Even the post that came up after ours got 50 views too," Jiseon said as she looked at the laptop screen.

"It'll be for the best if Maru-hyung could bring someone."

"Don't keep relying on him and think about what you can do. He said it might not work out. Should I ask the stuco president? She likes doing various things."

"Let's try for now. I'll call other people as well and ask if there's a girl around them who want to try being an actress."

"Don't forget to tell them that it's not an extra they'll be doing, and they'll need to learn acting to an extent. There might be people who might find it too much just like Jiwon-unni."

"I thought everything was going smoothly, but we got held down in the most unexpected place."

Yoonseok went through his contacts list and chat rooms and narrowed down the people he decided to reach out to. Just then, Maru opened the door and came in.

"She said she'll do it. But she has her own schedule, and she can only do it if you can go with hers. Are you okay with that?"

"Of course, we can match hers. But will you be okay, Maru-hyung? Don't you have auditions and whatnot to attend?"

"I'm okay as well. If it's with her, it'll be even better since the shooting time will be dramatically lessened. She said she has time now, so I told her to come here. She needs to see the director at least."

"O, lord Han Maru. I thank thee. I'll treat you really well from now on." He wanted to shout hurray.

They took down the article they uploaded earlier. The number of views never changed from zero until the end.

"Is the person coming a friend of yours, Maru-oppa?" Jiseon asked.

"A long-time friend for sure." Maru's expression became softer than ever.

Yoonseok bought some coffee for the actress that was about to come. He also bought two cookies. This was going to be his first meeting, so he couldn't just give her water from the water dispenser. As for the cost, it came from his own bank account and not the production fee. This whole incident happened because of his lack of proficiency as the supervisor after all.

"Gee, you aren't giving me coffee since I'm a caught fish, huh."

"I'll treat you to some really thick coffee later, so let me go this once. I really don't have any money with me right now. But I got the cookie for you."

He put down the cold coffee on a desk and waited. She said she was going to arrive in 20 minutes, so she should be arriving soon.

He decided to welcome anyone that came. He was in no position to be picky here. He decided to use that person even if she didn't fit the image he had in his mind.

"She says she's here. I'll go pick her up." Maru stood up.

Yoonseok looked at the half-open lecture room door in nervousness.

"I hope she has a bright impression. That's the role we have in our mind." Jiseon seemed slightly worried as she kept walking around without being able to sit down.

Yoonseok looked at the script. Acting came before the image. It would be great if he could get both the image and the acting down, but as Maru said, this was time to be realistic. If he was too ambitious, he would not be able to shoot a single film until graduation.

"They're here," Jiseon whispered.

Yoonseok took his eyes off the script. He saw someone enter through the door, but he forgot that he had to greet that person and kept watching blankly. He experienced for himself that a person could become stupefied if someone exceeded their expectations.

"Holy shit," Jiseon uttered; it was something that she usually did not say. The actress' appearance instantly made his picky friend accept her.

A simple description like 'pretty' didn't suit her. She had the air around her.

"I feel sad because I'm suddenly the sidekick now," Maru said as he followed in.

Yoonseok snapped back to reality and spoke, "H-hello! My name is Lee Yoonseok. Please take good care of me."

"You feel different from what I heard from Maru. I thought you'd be a little scarier. Anyway, nice to meet you. I'm Han Haneul. I came here hearing that you need a minor actor. Whatever role it is, I'll try my best to digest it." Haneul sat down.

Maru leaned against the chalkboard. "Director Lee. What are you doing? You should be asking her questions," Maru said.

Yoonseok stuttered, "It's a role that has almost no lines, so are you okay with it?"

"I don't care."

"The pay's a little low too."

"I heard about that from Maru. It doesn't matter if you can't pay me at all. This is more of a friendship appearance of sorts."

"Then would you like to have a look at the script? I'd love to have you do it, but it might not be to your liking."

"That probably won't happen. It's a script that Maru has seen and accepted."

It was a short conversation, but Yoonseok could instantly tell how much faith Haneul had in Maru. Haneul skimmed through the script in an instant and smiled.

"Interesting. It's hard to pass up an opportunity like this. I'll do it as well. No, please let me do it."

Our father thou art in heaven. I'll go to church this weekend – Yoonseok inwardly cheered.