Chapter 705

“Have a look. Sometimes, you might feel embarrassed and don’t want to look at your own photo, but you already know that actors and actresses are always on the side of being shot. You should find out what kind of photos make you look good. It might not seem like anything much, but it’s pretty important.”

The photographer showed her a photo after it went through some processing. Just as he said, it was quite embarrassing and unfamiliar to see her smiling face through a screen. Gaeul endured the ticklish sensation rising up inside her and looked at the screen. The feelings of embarrassment eventually dissipated, and she started focusing on her expression and the composition of the photo. Now that she was able to look at the whole picture, she found things that weren’t to her liking.

“Veteran actors can play around with their atmosphere like professional models. That’s because they know how they would look through the camera. The more frequently you stand in front of the camera, the better your eyes will become at discerning things like that.”

“Would we be able to shoot photos like that in the future?” Gaeul asked as she pointed at the poster for Twilight Struggles.

“As I said before, you will be able to do it once you find out what your charm is and how you should express it. Of course, that won’t be easy. If it was, there would be no reason for professional models, photographers, or actors to exist.”

Gaeul nodded after hearing that.

“Let’s finish choosing the photos for now, shall we? Pick those that you like as well as those that you don’t like. You might have overheard me saying this to Mr. Heewon before, but I’ll say it again - vague answers aren’t good here. In fact, a clear expression of like and dislike would be preferred. A clear opinion would make the final product much more distinct. That is regardless of whether that’s in a good way or a bad way.”

The photographer flipped through the photos. Gaeul selected the photos while thinking about what the photographer said. There wasn’t a photo to her liking, but there were things that she didn’t like.

“Then I’ll do my work based on these. Senior Choi, we’re all done here.”

While the photographer had a conversation with Gyeonmi, Gaeul looked at her photos that were hung across two screens.

“Uhm, sir, can I take a photo of this one with my phone?”

“You aren’t going to use it commercially, are you?”

The photographer had spoken with a smile. Gaeul said yes.

“Then take as many as you like. Mr. Heewon, there’s a folder next to hers too, so you can open it if you want to take photos as well.”

“I’m okay.”

Heewon looked like he clearly couldn’t be bothered. Gaeul took photos of the one that emphasized yellow and the one where she was looking into the distance while sitting in a diagonal position. Although the resolution wasn’t that clear since she was taking a photo of the screen, it was enough for her to discern that the model was herself.

This was her first time modeling. Although any information about her or her interview wouldn’t go alongside it, as the photo was for a concept page, she still felt rather excited that her face would be going on a magazine. She felt like she was definitely making progress, albeit little by little. She also had the small expectation that she might achieve what she aimed for in the future.

-But this isn’t enough.

The rabbit in her heart had spoken.

-You’ll have to be strict in the future. As you know, what matters is your actions after you declare your resolve. If you call Maru just because you feel a little lonely or tired, you’ll stay where you are forever.

I know - Gaeul inwardly replied. She was still far off from facing Maru boldly when he had won the role of a main character in a drama with his skills.

-It might be hard right now. You might want to see him. However, if you meet in that vague state you are in right now, you’ll obviously feel even worse. You have a dream, don’t you? A dream to stand on the same stage as Maru. You’re going to endure everything for the sake of that. You might feel rather tragic right now, but you’ll be able to stand up straight in front of Maru without feeling embarrassed once enough time passes and you have grown up properly. You’ll be in a splendid relationship where you both acknowledge each other. You’ll be standing on the same level, and you’ll love each other without differences. You want that, don’t you?

An equal relationship, the ring that term brought had filled her body. Just as the rabbit said, it might be a little hard right now. However, she would be able to see Maru with more leisure and more confidence if she won against that temptation and practiced and improved herself. By then, her confidence would come back as well.

-If you want your relationship to be smooth, you’ll have to become perfect first. So that you won’t lose when compared to him.

Gaeul listened to her words. The rabbit living inside her heart sometimes made her sad by telling her sharp words, but objectively, it was all advice in the end.

Why are you looking out so much for me? - Gaeul asked her.

-I said this many times before, but allow me to say it again. I’m the one person who wishes for your happiness more than anyone in this world. Han Gaeul, you’re an adult now, aren’t you? Not a little child. Adults should learn how to look into the far future. You have to suppress your desire and receive an achievement in the future; that’s what being an adult is about. You are an adult, aren’t you?

Gaeul nodded faintly. She didn’t want to be a stubborn little child. Whether it was for her mother’s sake or for those around her, she wanted to become an independent person as soon as possible. By then, she would be able to stand up in front of everyone else with confidence.

-Yes. Preparations are good when it’s perfect. Starting off recklessly and continuing on without a plan is something that only little kids do. Gaeul, you are an adult, aren’t you? If you are an adult, you should plan ahead. You are doing really well right now. You’ve suppressed meaningless temptations and impulsive emotions, and you are focusing on what matters. You’re an adult who’s rational. Don’t be shaken. For now, just look forward. Bring back results and achievements. Who knows? Maru might fall in love with you even more. Become a capable woman and start off with a perfect love. Not something trivial and immature, but a perfect, flawless love. I don’t think that dating someone when you aren’t completely prepared is being respectful to the other party. Don’t you think so too?

Gaeul looked at her own figure reflected by the monitor. For now, it was time to focus on this. Picturing an ideal environment where she started off everything in a perfect condition made Gaeul tense her eyes.

-Yes, you should put more effort in like that. Forget about Maru for the time being.

* * *

The radio notified him that it was 7 p.m. Maru, who was inside the car that was driving at a slow speed, realized that he was almost at his destination.

“Hyung, I’ll walk from here. It’ll be difficult for you to get in there with the car.”

“I’ll give you a ride all the way. It won’t take that long.”

“It’ll be a pain to bring the car back out later. There are a lot of people since it’s the weekend. Also, the alleyway where the pojang-macha is is a one-way road, so it’s quite complex. It’ll be better for me to walk from here.”

“Really?”

Byungchan nodded and stopped the car. Maru opened the door and got off.

“I’ll come over once I park the car, so go ahead.”

“You’re coming?”

“Of course I am. The actor is doing his job, so the manager can’t leave his side.”

“You should go back and get some rest. I can get a taxi if there isn't any public transport.”

“I told you, didn’t I? It’s going to be a war of stamina from now on. You should just listen to me and let me give you a ride. Plus, I’m trying to do my work here, so I’m going to feel sad if you don’t let me do it. Are you trying to make me feel unemployed?”

Byungchan smiled and drove the car in reverse. Maru picked up his bag and entered the alleyway on his left. The street that was covered with all sorts of fancy lights disappeared from view, and he eventually came across closed shops. He moved according to the streetlights that were placed far apart. This place still smelled of sewers.

While he was walking across the asphalt, he started hearing some murmurs. A bright light that was a contrast to the dark alley, shone down on the pojang-macha in front of a shabby shop.

“Hey, new guy! Bring a Jem Ball and a tungsten focus light. Yes, the one with four lights in a row. Director, I think we should change the position of the lights in the pojang-macha a little. Like this, it’ll cast shadows on the actors’ faces.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

The staff were moving busily in and around the pojang-macha. The last time he came here, the pojang-macha was like a silent isle in the middle of the city, but right now, it was just as bustling and noisy as any other part of the city.

“Hello.”

Maru greeted producer Yoo Jayeon who was watching the lights director.

“Oh, you’re early. Did I look at the schedule wrong?”

“I came early because I finished early for the other one. There wasn’t anything to do for me.”

Maru looked at the pojang-macha. It looked different from before. The signature dropping orange curtain had been rolled up and tied at the ceiling. It seemed to have been done because it would be hard for the camera to capture the actors as the pojang-macha was a small one with just six seats. The lights installed on either side gave off some light similar to that of the streetlights, brightening up the surroundings.

“Now that I look at it like this, it looks really small. Even smaller than last time.”

“It’s not surprising with this many people around. But when we’re shooting, we’re going to have a maximum of 7 people in the set, so it doesn’t matter.”

“You took out two of the stools too.”

“I wanted to emphasize that it’s cozy.”

Jayeon approached the staff who was placing the props throughout the pojang-macha. The two steamers, the container for fishcakes, as well as the basket for boiled eggs. The interior was mostly the same as before.

“Han Maru.”

Producer Jayeon waved at him. There was a person holding a camera below the streetlight next to the pojang-macha.

“This is our stills photographer, and this is one of the main characters in the drama.”

Jayeon briefly introduced them to each other. Maru immediately greeted.

“Hello. My name is Han Maru.”

“Yes, nice to meet you. I’m Kim Joon.”

Maru shook hands with the photographer.

“Can you take a photo of him? We’re going to put it in the making film, so let’s get a single shot of him since he arrived first.”

The photographer smiled and nodded.

“Do I have to pose?” he asked as he looked at the camera lens since he had never experienced getting a stills shot.

“Just act naturally. It’s no fun if it looks too artificial.”

Maru nodded. The photographer didn’t immediately press the shutter. After a few minutes, the camera no longer bothered him. Maru picked up his script and looked around inside the pojang-macha while saying his lines. There were about 30 minutes until the appointed time.

Just then, he heard the photographer call out to him. His head turned left. He saw the photographer checking the screen on the camera.

“They turned out pretty good.”

Maru walked over to him when the photographer waved at him to come. He showed Maru the back of the camera. On the screen was a figure of himself who looked like he was muttering something while holding the script.

“I’ll shoot you a lot. I like cold images like this. Of course, I’m not saying that your impression is desolate.”

“It’s fine. I get that my eyes look nasty a lot.”

The photographer looked at him in a daze for a while before laughing out loud.

“Which one among these do you like the most?”

The photographer showed him several photos while pressing some buttons. He had shot nearly 30 photos in that short time. The composition, the colors, and the intensity of the light were all different. Maru looked at the photos and picked the one where a shadow was cast on his face because of the light from the streetlight.

“I like this one.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’m not knowledgeable in photography, but I feel like this suits the mood of this alley quite well.”

“How about this one?”

𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The photographer showed him another photo. That one looked okay as well, but Maru liked the one he picked a little more.

“I like this photo better.”

“Haha, alright. I like people with clear opinions like you, Mr. Maru. I don’t like vague things.”

The photographer started walking around again with the camera in hand. Maru looked at him for a while before moving his eyes onto his script.