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The practice lasted only until lunch.

Although there was still time before the full-fledged filming, we wrapped up early because we had to change costumes and do rehearsals.

“Now, please change into your costumes.”

“Okay.”

This time, it wasn’t like last time where I randomly borrowed a hanbok based on my mood; the staff had prepared a specific outfit for filming.

As I dashed around in a flurry, changing costumes and getting makeup and styling done, I found myself transformed from a cold, modern city girl into a lady from a noble family during the Joseon era.

“How do I look?”

“You look much prettier than last time.”

Even Moon Chang-sik acknowledged that I looked different, admiring the quality of my appearance from when I wore the hanbok last time, but there was a problem.

“Wow, this is bad…”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s so cold!”

“What choice of words…”

I meant that wearing the hanbok is making me painfully cold.

Despite wearing thermal underwear meant for winter under it, it seemed that this chill was just unmanageable.

“Ugh, ughhh.”

I let out puffs of warm breath, wondering if I might catch a cold.

“I bet if Soo-hyun didn’t speak, he’d be twice as popular.”

Moon Chang-sik said this while looking at me, which only made me chuckle.

“I’m popular even when I open my mouth!”

I mean, after all, I earn my living by talking.

You should hear how much I talk during broadcasts.

If I didn’t have those naturally robust vocal cords that the composer acknowledged, I might have visited the hospital for vocal cord nodules by now.

“Well… you’re not more popular than me.”

“What a ridiculous statement.”

Are we already on that level of friendly banter?

Comparing me to himself?

“How many people in Korea could be more popular than our master?”

There are singers and idols, so it can’t be just ten fingers worth; but maybe around a hundred?

“No, forget about the master.”

“By the way, have you had your makeup done? You look so pale.”

“Oh, yeah, it’s for my role.”

Moon Chang-sik’s complexion had turned so pale from his makeup.

Did he change his expression to match his character?

Well, to be fair, his character is quite a low-life.

Not just a low-life in words, but genuinely a scoundrel.

In the story, Moon Chang-sik plays a deranged psychopath killer.

He’s even a born low-life that has carried over from his past life.

That’s why those kinds of scenes were emerging…

I diligently reviewed the script in my mind, thinking of the scenes coming up shortly.

At least I was thankful my memory was decent.

I wouldn’t forget my lines easily.

The important thing is the acting…

“Alright, let’s go in now.”

Well, I guess I’ll only find out once I dive in.

Steeling myself, I stepped inside.

The setting was around the Joseon era.

As the daughter of a noble family during such times, there was also an actor playing my father.

“Nice to meet you today, Soo-hyun.”

“Yes.”

I heard he was a veteran actor frequently appearing in historical dramas; we were already somewhat familiar since I had greeted him a few times before.

“You don’t need to be too nervous since we’ll be rehearsing quite a bit today.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Haha, you’ll do great.”

With a warm smile, the veteran actor headed inside first.

Alright, let’s give this our best shot.

With that resolve, I properly began the rehearsal.

Hours later…

“…Can we really pull off today’s filming?”

After receiving numerous NGs, my self-confidence dwindled.

“…Soo-hyun, you’re too tense.”

Was I ever actually confident to begin with?

Thank goodness this was just a rehearsal, but this Joseon-era historical acting is really hard.

I practiced enough and studied, yet I kept slipping up little by little.

“What if it’s like this during the main filming?”

“Don’t worry too much; just fix a few small things.”

Even though the other actors and the director said it was fine, I still felt bad.

Thank goodness we started the rehearsal early, and we still had time for the main shoot.

“Let’s try going in again.”

With the director’s call to start again, I steeled my resolve.

I am a noble lady… a nobility lady from the Joseon era…

Thinking about it, my family does have a house in Seoul, so isn’t that noble?

I’m just a 21st-century lady who’s merely in a past setting, I reassessed and immersed myself deeper into my role.

After yet another round of rehearsals concluded…

“Ugh…”

I forgot about the cold and collapsed onto a bench.

While the NGs had decreased, I still heard a bit of disappointment in the feedback.

Am I going to roll another NG in today’s filming?

Given the nature of the main shoot, timing is crucial; if there are too many NGs, we can’t align with the highlight scenes.

That would mean pushing the filming date to tomorrow, and the staff getting upset about preparations would be a nightmare.

Of course, the director and Moon Chang-sik would find it troublesome as well.

As I lay there feeling lost, an actor dressed as an aristocrat approached me.

“Oh.”

“You don’t have to get up.”

Upon seeing him, I immediately sat up, and he naturally took a seat beside the empty spot on the bench.

“Filming is tough, huh?”

“Uh, no? Not really…”

This was the veteran actor playing my father, who would appear a lot in the scenes before mine.

So in other words, he was there watching me during my NG-prone rehearsals.

“How old are you, Soo-hyun?”

“Oh, I’m 23…”

Taken a bit aback by how easily he engaged in conversation, I nevertheless answered seriously.

What did he come over to say? Is he here to scold me?

Since he had a strong impression as someone playing a strict noble role… could it be a real scolding?

“Oh my, you’re so young. Are you in university?”

“Oh, I dropped out.”

“Dropped out? To become an actor?”

“No… I have other stuff to take care of.”

This veteran actor clearly knew nothing about me.

Well, he looked like the type who, upon first glance, would have no relation to VTubing whatsoever.

“Finding your dream is a good thing.”

The silver lining was that seeing him nod and praise my pursuit indicated he had no intention of scolding me.

“Don’t think about it too complicatedly.”

Wait, could it really be that simple?

Wouldn’t it be a huge deal if I let my NGs build up and filming got postponed to the next day?

“Well…”

“If filming gets delayed, I’ll be the one getting scolded.”

“Ah… that’s true?”

“Yes, the staff are human too. Still, it’s more important to produce good results.”

“Ah…”

After all, it’s the people who work tirelessly day and night to create a piece of drama.

In other words, they’re people who are relentlessly pursuing one goal of achieving good outcomes.

“Even if they scold you now, once they see the results, they’ll praise you and ask you to appear next time, so it’s okay if it takes some time.”

Hearing those words energized me a little.

“Ah… thank you.”

“Haha, did I talk too much? I feel like I’m talking to my daughter.”

“Well, you’re kind of right, aren’t you?”

“If that’s the case, then I can admit it.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Oh ho ho.”

The elderly actor burst into hearty laughter at my playful jab.

“Then let’s head back to rehearsals, my daughter.”

“Yes, I’ll do my best.”

With that answer, I also rose and headed back to the rehearsal site.

Although it looked just like the prior rehearsal space… perhaps due to what I just heard, I felt less pressure now.

I practiced with a more relaxed mindset.

Eventually, as the sun dipped below the mountain ridge, the main filming began.

Since I wasn’t going in right away, while I waited a little, the preceding scenes swiftly wrapped up.

“Hey you! Beat this guy and lock him up in the warehouse! You’ll be dragging him to the government office come morning!”

As I watched the veteran actor perform the scene he had earlier advised me on, I mentally prepared myself.

Next scene, it would be my turn.

“Soo-hyun, it’s time to get ready.”

Nodding to another staff member’s words, I stepped into the filming set illuminated by the camera.

On set, I saw Moon Chang-sik already getting some extra makeup for his scene.

“Lady Soo-yeon has arrived.”

His calling of my character name made me chuckle a bit.

Soo-yeon… it’s not far off from my real name.

I wondered if that was intentional by the writer…

“Yes, Chang-won.”

Moon Chang-sik’s character name being similar to his real name made me think maybe he just tends to name characters like that.

“Let’s do well together.”

“Don’t worry.”

Yeah, what’s acting really?

If I fumble, I fumble.

If it’s an NG, so be it.

There’s always tomorrow if not today.

Sure, I might get scolded by the staff… but proving myself with better scenes later on is the goal.

With that thought in mind, I dove into the actual filming.

 

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