Chapter 956. Crank Up 7

“The mountain isn’t that tall. It’s pretty rough though,” said Kim Gyungjin.

Maru nodded. When they climbed up the gentle slope, they came across a path down. Even Park Yoojung, who was dearly worried when the director said that they were going to a mountain, sighed in relief and leaned against a tree. This was a mountain where they could look down to see the city center of Ulsan as well as the airport. This was the first place for the shoot, as well as the place they would come to many more times in the future.

“Team A should go up and set up, and the rest of us should standby,” said Park Jiseon, the assistant director.

She looked still pretty tired even though she had slept throughout the whole bus trip. When she, who had chronic fatigue, waved her hand in the air, the staff all started moving. Electrical lines and camera lines were lined up on the ground, and light fixtures were installed.

The director and the assistant director walked around with a file that seemed like a storyboard and talked to each other. From how they kept changing locations, it seemed that they didn’t exactly like this location.

Maru took off his gloves and unzipped his jumper. Although the mountain wasn’t tall, he was feeling hot after walking for 30 minutes. This wasn’t a properly maintained hiking route either, so he had to watch out when he walked. He could only marvel at the camera team and the lights team who had to carry the heavy equipment on their shoulders as they climbed up.

“At least this place has the mood.”

Gyungjin placed his hand on the tree that had been burnt black. It seemed to have been struck by lightning. As Maru observed the tree twisted to the left like a hunchback, the director and the assistant director walked over.

“I think this place looks better instead.”

“Really? I don’t like it because there is too much emphasis.”

“If you think so, then let’s look around a little more.”

Even director Park Joongjin, who never allowed any opinions from a staff member, seemed to listen to assistant director Park Jiseon’s words well. Though, he probably had her join the team in the first place because he had trust in her.

“I did hear that we’d be always on the scene, but I never knew we’d actually move before the preparation,” said Yoojung after the director left.

Director Park had nailed in the point that the actors would always be moving along with the rest of the team before the shoot began. Normally, the actors would be called from the waiting room after the equipment was set up, but director Park seemed to work differently.

“I’m actually more comfortable with this. I’m used to waiting at the set.”

Maru sat down on a chair that a staff member brought him. He didn’t know what kind of intentions director Park had when he wanted them to follow everything, but he had no plans of going against that. He probably did it because it was necessary.

“Me too, but I did get a supporting role, so I had some vague hopes that I’d be treated like the other actors.”

Yoojung faintly smiled. While they were waiting, they drank some warm water to look after their throats. As the weather was cold and dry, there was a risk that their voice might crack during acting if they didn’t watch out. Gyungjin and Yoojung also kept moving around so that they could enter the shoot whenever it started.

“I wonder when we’ll see the other actors.”

“True. There are at least 10 people with roles.”

It had been two days since he came down to Ulsan, but Gyungjin and Yoojung were the only actors on set. Considering the number of lines they each had, they were undoubtedly the main characters of the film, but as there were many other important roles in the plot, the appearance of other actors was a necessity. Considering that director Park wouldn't just use anyone, there was no way he would find one locally.

“They’ll come during the shoot. There’s no way he’ll make us disguise as three different people each.”

While Yoojung said that as a joke, Maru thought that it was a plausible option. When shooting a commercial film, director Park would meticulously aim for the desires of the masses and shoot something that’s close to the textbook, but when he was working towards something he wanted, there were numerous cases where he would challenge strange things. People didn’t say that he earned money through commercial films and spent it all when he was obsessed with his work for nothing.

“I don’t know about anything else, but I just wish it’s as good as ‘Spring Calendar.’ That was really shocking. It was a film that made me realize that you can stimulate someone’s emotions that way.”

“If it’s as you say, our film will probably make people displeased. Spring Calendar was the epitome of affection, but the film we’re shooting now is far from that.”

“If it goes properly, then maybe. People will subconsciously start swearing at the cinemas while watching it. Then they’ll suddenly feel pity. Looking at the script, it might look like a simple film, but the director is that person.”

Gyungjin pointed at director Park. If there was one thing the actors and the staff members participating in this project had in common, it was probably their faith. Director Park might go up a weird route, but not the wrong route — that kind of faith.

“Anyway, is it true that Lee Heewon’s coming here?”

Maru looked at Gyungjin’s eyes, which were fixed on him. Yoojun was also looking at him with deep interest. Ever since Heewon revealed that he was doing his last shoot before his enlistment in an interview on TV, there was a fire in entertainment-related websites for a while. What film is it? Where is it being shot? Who’s the director? Who’s the actor? Not long later, the information was revealed on the internet. He was supposedly appearing in director Park Joongjin’s work as a cameo. Maru believed that director Park did not put an embargo on that info. If he was concerned about security, he would not have exposed a single piece of info about the film to the media until the last day of the shoot. Maru didn’t know if that was done for the sake of getting promotion, or whether he just didn’t care, but thanks to that, everyone found out that Lee Heewon was appearing.

“You saw the news. I’m not sure when he’s coming, but he’ll be appearing as a cameo, so I’m sure he’ll appear soon.”

“But you know, when Heewon-oppa said that there was someone he wanted to act with, it’s you, Maru, right?” Yoojung asked as she pulled her chair.

Gyungjin looked at her in abhorrence and snapped out, asking ‘Oppa?’

“Everyone handsome is an oppa. Anyway, that friend is you, right?”

“I am a friend of his, but he tends to exaggerate a lot.”

“Whether he’s exaggerating or not, the fact that Heewon said that he wanted to act with you probably raised your value a lot. A lot of people around me also asked who you were. They nodded when I told them about ‘Doctors’ though.”

“I’m glad that my value has gone up. But still, I’m rather worried. I might be gobbled up by his peculiar acting skills. I’m the main character, but if everyone starts talking about the cameo, I might go into hiding out of depression.”

“I haven’t known you for long, nor do I know you well, but I know that you aren’t the type of person to do that.”

Maru shrugged. It was true that he unintentionally received more attention thanks to Heewon. He felt this the most when he visited his fan café. Leaving aside the increase in the number of members, the speed at which new posts came up was incredibly fast. There were even some advert posts. Though, he was pretty sure that it was just a flash of brilliance and would dim soon.

“Lee Heewon is one thing, but I’ve heard some other rumors too.”

Gyungjin crossed his arms. He refrained from speaking with a vague head gesture before speaking again,

“I’m not entirely sure, but I heard an actor with immense connections is coming here.”

“Connections? What do you mean?” Yoojung asked.

𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

“I’ve heard about this from my uncle. He has a lot of connections in logistics, so he eats out with a lot of people, and one of them talked about movies. I think that person talked about it because I work in this field.”

“What was it about?”

“Apparently, a chairman’s grandson is appearing in director Park Joongjin’s piece, so the directors are looking for a way to cheer him on from the dark.”

“A chairman’s grandson?”

Maru thought of two people as soon as he heard those words. Sooil and Giwoo. If it was Sooil, he would welcome him with open arms, but if it was Kang Giwoo, it would be a massive headache. Without any need for hesitation, he immediately called Sooil. The signal lasted a long time, but he didn’t pick up. It was 8 a.m. If he didn’t have any schedule, he would probably be lying in bed right now.

“What is it? You look like it’s someone you know.”

Maru only nodded at Gyungjin’s inquiry. Perhaps he had to ask the director. That would be easier for him since he would be able to get an immediate answer.

“Actors, get ready,” the assistant director shouted.

From how the camera director had gotten into position, it seemed that they had found a background they liked. Maru put away his question for now. Nothing would change even if he found out anyway. Just that, once it was confirmed that Kang Giwoo was coming, he would have to prepare in accordance. If this wasn’t agreed upon beforehand, and he had suddenly made his decision to participate, it must mean that he was up to something after all.

“Geez, I’m suddenly nervous for some reason,” said Gyungjin as he took off his coat.

There were tattoos drawn on his arm under the blackish-brown shirt sleeve. As his role was a gangster, his styling was quite eye-catching. Yoojung also took off her trainers and put on a pair of high heels. When the stylish came over and fixed her makeup, her impression totally changed. Maru couldn’t believe that such an evil-looking woman was hiding behind the gentle-looking face.

“Do I look like I chew some gum?”

“By the pack, yes.”

Maru took off the beanie he was wearing. This was the first time he had cut off his hair so short after his military days. When the cold winter air brushed past his head that looked like the desolate winter mountains, he could feel a frosty chill.

“Maru, this way.”

He left his face to head manager Byun, who had the role of the team leader of the makeup team. She said that Maru could just call her ‘big sis,’ so Maru just called her that.

“You have quite a cute face from up close, but you look so vicious now after putting on makeup.”

“Please make me look gruffy to the point that even you’d think that you’re going too far.”

“Gangsters can look pretty too. Close your eyes.”

Just as he was about to close his eyes, he put his hand inside his pocket. He got a call from Sooil.

-Why’d you call so early in the morning?

“I’m sorry when you must be sleeping, but let me ask you something.”

-What is it?

“Are you appearing in our film?”

-You mean director Park Joongjin’s one?

“Yeah.”

-No. Even if I want to, I have something else I have to do. Why do you ask?

“Nothing. Get back to sleep.”

He apologized to the grumbling Sooil again before ending the call. If that rumor was true, then there was only one option now.

“Maru, relax. I’ll be scared if you suddenly make a face like that. It’s gruffy-looking makeup too,” said head manager Byun.

Maru relaxed his expression. He was subconsciously on the edge when he thought Kang Giwoo might come to this place. As many of the rumors of the entertainment industry were false rumors, it was likely that he wasn’t coming, but he had a feeling that his shitty face might appear in this place.