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The day after organizing my thoughts through complaints on the broadcast.

I promptly headed back to the drama filming location to express my willingness to participate.

“You decided quickly, huh?”

“After thinking about it, I realized there wasn’t much to ponder over.”

Moon Chang-sik, slightly taken aback that I would show up the very next day, soon had a satisfied smile as if pleased with my decision.

“Well done.”

“I’ll do my best.”

When we decided to tackle tasks sequentially, the top priority was, without a doubt, this drama-related work.

Not because it was the most important, but simply because it was the nearest schedule in terms of time.

Lee Kang-jun had no news, and Jeong-hoon could take some time to think about the music video.

“So, shall we go see the director right away?”

“Ah, yes.”

Following behind Moon Chang-sik, who added that he had informed the director in advance, we arrived at the building where the director was staying.

Speaking of the building…

“Looks like the director is living comfortably?”

I remarked on the clear difference between the building and the makeshift waiting room for the actors. Moon Chang-sik shrugged nonchalantly.

“The inside of the tent is nice too. You’ll understand when you see why the director is here.”

You’ll understand when you see?

I was momentarily puzzled by that, but once I stepped into the building following Moon Chang-sik, I quickly grasped the reason.

The sight of numerous monitors and piled-up equipment suggested that this place wasn’t a resting area but rather a facility designed entirely for the director’s work.

I thought to myself that the director must be an extreme workaholic as I moved deeper inside, spotting the director at a desk littered with empty energy drink cans.

He looked a bit lean and scraggly, resembling a weasel.

“You’ve made a decision, I see?”

The director approached us with dark circles under his eyes, extending a hand toward me.

“We didn’t get to greet properly yesterday, thanks to the writer.”

“Ah, yes.”

As I shook his hand, I was slightly surprised by the hardened calluses and raised my head to find the director smiling gently, continuing with his words.

“Well done on your decision.”

“Yep.”

After exchanging light greetings, I was offered an empty chair and sat down.

“Shall we discuss work now?”

“Sure.”

It felt odd to pull out the contract right away, but it seemed like everything was prepared. Moon Chang-sik smiled slightly and nodded.

…Did he know I would decide?

I didn’t think I showed any indication of that.

With a somewhat bewildered feeling, the conversation flowed very smoothly.

Since I didn’t really have many desires, and the director didn’t seem to ask for much either.

Moreover, since it was a direct contract with the director, the final decision-maker, there were no complications.

Things progressed so quickly that it could be considered textbook parachute interviewing.

I soon slammed my stamp on the contract.

“Now, I look forward to working with you again.”

With no time wasted on the swift contract, I shook hands with the director favorably and stepped out of the building.

“Uh… is it always this quick?”

After such a seamless contract, I asked, slightly skeptical, to which Moon Chang-sik responded as if it were no big deal.

“It was similar when you shot the movie, wasn’t it?”

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, it was like this before too.

Now it made complete sense.

“So, now that the contract is done, are you heading home?”

“Yes? If there’s no work, I should.”

“Since you’re here, why not practice a bit before you go? I’ll give you homework afterward, so make sure to do it.”

“Should I?”

Practicing acting…

Normally, I would have wanted to leave right away, but with nothing urgent, I nodded.

“But where will we do that?”

“I’ve rented a separate space.”

“…Oh.”

Isn’t this smooth as well?

To maintain such readiness in this busy filming location must be essential, right?

I followed Moon Chang-sik to an empty tent, internally admiring his seasoned preparation from his days as a child actor.

Inside, there were a few chairs, a heater, and a large full-length mirror, all of which he must have set up himself.

“Did you set all this up?”

“Yep, I borrowed the mirror from Kang Ha-na.”

I wondered where the mirror came from… it seems he commandeered Kang Ha-na’s check-up mirror for her looks.

He must have gone through the trouble of bringing a full-length mirror to this barren filming location for perfection, so I felt a moment of guilt and gratitude for Kang Ha-na, who was likely bereft of her mirror now.

“So, what should we practice for acting?”

“Well, what else? You need to practice dying all day. That’s the crux of Soo-hyun’s role.”

“Ah.”

Dying acting, huh…

Well, it’s honestly just one scene, isn’t it?

I’m confident I can master it with some practice.

“Go on, show me how you die.”

Confidently, I stretched out my arms.

Are we going to use the hot pack again?

I wished we’d use something that allowed for better immersion.

Just then, Moon Chang-sik pulled out a hammer from inside his coat.

“Uh, just a moment.”

I couldn’t help but feel a bit startled at the sight.

The hammer glinted under the light, its handle’s texture suggesting it didn’t look like a toy at all.

“I still have many days left to live.”

I remarked upon seeing it, but Moon Chang-sik raised the hammer and patted his hand with it as if to say, “What on earth are you talking about?”

“Does this look real to you?”

“…I was just joking too.”

Honestly, who would have thought he would actually pull out a real hammer?

I figured it was a fake hammer that looked real.

I would never have thought Moon Chang-sik would go as far as to use a real tool for practice.

“Well, it might seem real at first glance.”

“People might think so. But I knew right away it was fake.”

“Alright, I’ll take that.”

“…But why a hammer?”

More importantly, why a hammer?

It was supposed to be a knife in the script.

“Oh, the writer saw you yesterday, right?”

“Ah yes.”

“Since she thought being hit by a hammer would suit you better, she borrowed it from the prop team.”

“Does she dislike me?”

What kind of thought process leads one to think that it would be better to be hit with a hammer?

She’s reputed to be a famous drama writer, yet her thought process seems a bit off from writing for a long time.

“Hahaha, I think she’s caring more for your role.”

“That may be so, but…”

But a hammer, seriously?

How does one act dying from being hit by a hammer?

Well, I guess I’ll figure it out by trying.

“First of all, try hitting me with that.”

“Sure.”

Upon hearing that, Moon Chang-sik turned to position himself behind me.

“Why are you moving behind me?”

“I’ll be hitting the back of your head.”

“Ah, I see.”

So, it’s not just acting dying from getting hit by a hammer.

Am I acting like I die after getting hit on the back of the head while walking?

“Ah, don’t just die—fall down first.”

“Excuse me?”

“You fall down first, then you die afterward.”

“Does she really dislike me?”

“Don’t worry.”

As I waited a moment, I heard rustling clothes from behind.

Thinking he’d strike from behind made me a bit tense.

“Are we hitting now?”

“Yes, it’s time.”

And then—

Thud.

A completely painless impact was felt on my head.

Honestly, it was so painless it caught me off guard, but I began acting.

“Ah, ah…!”

I let out some noise and fell to the floor.

And now, Moon Chang-sik should hit me next, right?

Grabbing my head for a moment, I continued to produce sounds.

“Ah, ah, aah.”

But even as I lay there for quite a while, there was no response.

Is something the matter? I would feel a bit embarrassed if I stayed here alone.

In a moment of silence, I stopped my screams and peered around.

I saw Moon Chang-sik standing there, seemingly deep in thought, like a big-time actor contemplating his role.

“What’s going on?”

“I’m pondering where to start teaching.”

…Was it really that complicated?

Because of that reaction, I feel rather embarrassed right now.

Where did the acting prodigy, Miro, go, and why is it now a clueless Miro?

“Are you not going to abandon me, right?”

“What are you talking about… let’s just try our best for now.”

We did practice a few more times after that, but the lesson wrapped up rather quickly.

Not because I’m dissatisfied with the progress made today, but simply because Moon Chang-sik’s filming time was approaching.

“Can you show me your acting a bit before I go?”

“Of course.”

I nodded eagerly at the suggestion and followed Moon Chang-sik.

Walking while observing the filming site, I fell into deep thought.

Even though I used to receive compliments and finish cuts quickly, why is it different now?

…Is it because I’ve never actually been hit?

Not knowing the pain makes it hard to immerse myself.

Even in my time as a man, I’d never been in several fights.

In fact, none of my memories as a woman, having existed far longer, had me ever getting hit.

A light tap on the head was the greatest violence that Kim Soo-hyun, the girl, ever received.

Well, I can’t just go out and get hit… I’ll need more practice.

Actors don’t all act by getting hit directly, right?

Anyway, as I approached the filming area with Moon Chang-sik, I saw a scene where they were shooting a previously shot scene.

Actors wearing black masks engaged in action, clashing swords in a historical drama shoot.

As I was mesmerized by such dazzling scenes, a bit of doubt crossed my mind.

“By the way, am I…?”

“Yes?”

“Am I supposed to get hit by a hammer in a city setting?”

Thinking about it, no matter how I looked at it, the scene I was acting was undeniably modern.

So why were we shooting a historical drama in the same show?

As I posed my question, Moon Chang-sik nodded as if he understood.

“This is a flashback scene.”

“Oh, I see?”

“Yes, the protagonist lives quite a long life.”

It seems there’s a bit of Eastern fantasy involved.

Above all, it felt a bit uncanny.

On one side, there were all sorts of fashionista types suited for autumn weather, while on another side, people were dressed as if from the Joseon era.

Looking at the actresses in hanbok over there and feeling amazed, Moon Chang-sik slightly initiated a conversation.

“Would you like to try wearing a hanbok?”

“A hanbok?”

“Yes, it’s possible to rent an expensive one for free right now.”

“Oh… really?”

Hmm… since I came all this way, should I try wearing one?

 

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