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Renting a hanbok was incredibly easy.

Since the drama filming team rented the filming location, it seemed they contracted with a hanbok rental shop, allowing me to borrow and wear one right away with just a few steps.

“Wow, you look really pretty.”

“Really?”

I responded a bit awkwardly to the compliment from the female staff member who was handing me the hanbok. I wore a very traditional combination of a yellow jeogori and a red skirt—did it suit me well?

“Umm, would you like me to tie your hair up?”

“My hair?”

“Yes, I can do a pretty half-up style for you.”

Hair…

“Sure, I’d appreciate that.”

If it’s going to look pretty, it can’t hurt to try. With the helpful staff member’s assistance, I tied half of my hair up and stepped outside.

“Is that it?”

As I exited and made my way back to the previous location, I spotted Moon Chang-sik filming nearby.

This time, Moon Chang-sik wasn’t playing the protagonist but rather the antagonist. From what I gathered, he was attempting something a bit new this time.

The protagonist was another male actor performing in front of Moon Chang-sik. I heard he was a well-known actor in his early thirties, and even from a distance, he gave off that impression. Tall, with distinct features, he looked exactly like the lead character.

I had to stay for a while to watch, so I carefully sat on a chair near the filming area to avoid dirtying the hanbok I had rented.

They said to come watch, so it was fine for me to be here, right?

With staff members being the only people around, I felt a bit out of place. Many were dressed in plain clothes after shuffling around, while I stood out in a vibrant-colored hanbok, drawing a bit of attention.

Nonetheless, I focused on the filming. My mentor told me to learn by observing, so I needed to pay close attention to the acting.

As I watched for quite a while, the action scene between the protagonist and Moon Chang-sik took a turn, and suddenly, Moon Chang-sik’s sword flew through the air.

“Stop killing me already.”

“I was just about to.”

After that, the lead actor pointed his sword at Moon Chang-sik. It seemed after a fierce battle, Moon Chang-sik was losing?

Now that I think about it, I felt like I was getting spoiled for a drama that hasn’t even aired yet. Given the actor lineup, it seemed like it was going to be quite a talked-about drama.

Anyway, as I sat there watching their performance intently, I soon realized the filming was over.

Based on the atmosphere on set, it appeared the actors had performed without any NGs, allowing things to wrap up quickly.

While I observed the delighted staff who had some time until the next shoot, Moon Chang-sik, having just finished filming, approached me.

“How did it look?”

Moon Chang-sik was wearing something akin to a traditional warrior’s outfit. Now that I think about it, he had been in a coat right before filming, and he must have changed quickly to dive into the shoot.

“As expected of my mentor.”

I shot him a thumbs-up without hesitation. I couldn’t help but admire his acting—it was truly impressive.

“Mentor?”

“Aren’t you my acting mentor?”

I had learned from him both this time and last, so I’d say it’s only fair he earns that title.

Should I even bow to him in gratitude?

“…Think what you like. By the way, did you catch the last scene?”

“Of course! You died really well.”

“….”

In the final scene of the shoot, Moon Chang-sik had indeed died. It seems that as an antagonist, he couldn’t win against the protagonist.

“But is it alright to die like that?”

Watching, I became curious if it was fine for him to just die here. I thought maybe Moon Chang-sik was some immortal spirit who appears in both the past and future, but I guess not.

“In a modern setting, I reincarnate.”

“Oh, I see.”

“And I’ll fight the protagonist again.”

I thought it was an Eastern fusion fantasy, but it turned out to be a reincarnation story? I couldn’t figure out the genre of this drama.

Well, if I stuck around on set, I would eventually grasp at least the general premise.

“So how do you like the hanbok?”

“The hanbok?”

“Yes, you were asked to try it on, remember?”

“…You’re phrasing that oddly.”

Am I?

But whatever, Moon Chang-sik’s proposition was genuine.

Of course, I did wear it because I was curious, but still.

“It looks great on you.”

“Right?”

I nodded at the obvious response. The staff also said it suited me, and I thought so too.

“You look like a young noblewoman.”

“But I’m the antagonist?”

“…Well, it fits your image more.”

Wow, he’s quite blunt.

I mean, I do have more of an antagonist young lady vibe.

I wonder if I might get to play such a role later on? You know, the one who slaps the female lead?

I wouldn’t mind trying such a role myself.

“Isn’t there more filming today?”

“We’re done for the day.”

“Really?”

“Indeed. I died, after all.”

Wait, does that mean today’s filming is over?

But I thought we’d be filming for a while longer; I even changed into the hanbok for this.

It hadn’t even been an hour, and now I had to change back and head home.

“Are you disappointed?”

“A little, I suppose…?”

“Then I heard the female actresses are taking a group photo in hanbok; you should join them.”

“Me?”

Wait, they’re taking a photo, and I’m supposed to join?

“You’re in this drama too, aren’t you? They’ll be putting the group photo on Instagram, so it wouldn’t hurt to join in.”

An Instagram group photo, huh…

“I’ll pass.”

I wasn’t feeling any merit in joining that.

In fact, it’d be better not to take part.

If I inadvertently got spotted by viewers while filming, it would be a surprise reveal on TV, which would be way better.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, I don’t really do Instagram.”

“You don’t?”

“I just don’t see the need to.”

I don’t have anything to promote, and I’m already getting enough attention from the broadcast, so I hadn’t even considered it.

“Even so, since you’re wearing it, how about I at least take a photo for you?”

“A photo?”

“Yes, I’ve held a camera for the director before, so I’m good at photography.”

A photo, huh? Well, since I’m wearing it, it wouldn’t be bad to take one.

“Then let’s take it somewhere more scenic.”

“Together?”

“Yes, I mean, the concept fits perfectly!”

Since Moon Chang-sik was wearing warrior clothes from the Joseon era too, it’d make for a great visual if we took the photo together.

I got up, thinking about showing off in the group chat after taking the photo.

“Let’s find a good location.”

If we’re taking a photo, we should choose a spot without all the modern filming equipment scattered around, right?

“Sounds good.”

So, with Moon Chang-sik in his warrior costume, we wandered around looking for a suitable place to snap the photo, when…

“Oh, we meet again?”

I ran into someone I knew on the street.

“Writer?”

“And you have Moon Chang-sik with you.”

The identity was none other than Ahn Ji-young, the writer I met yesterday. She must have come to check out the filming location again and bumped into us.

“What are you two doing? You matched your outfits.”

“Oh, we’re just wandering around taking some photos.”

“What about you, Soo-hyun?”

“I just tried it on.”

Ahn Ji-young studied us curiously.

Isn’t there a chance she might misunderstand this?

Now that I think about it, seeing two people of the opposite gender walking around in matching outfits could be interpreted as being a couple.

Though this is a filming location, and it’s common to see people dressed similarly, Ahn Ji-young has every reason to misinterpret the situation.

“Ah, that’s not it…”

As I tried to explain, Ahn Ji-young raised her hand to stop me.

“Ah, just a moment.”

“Uh, okay?”

“Excuse me, would you mind staying like that for a second? It’ll only be a moment.”

Suddenly being asked to freeze, both Moon Chang-sik and I paused, standing still.

After we froze, Ahn Ji-young stepped back a bit and stared at us intently.

“…What are you doing?”

I discreetly glanced at Moon Chang-sik, who whispered his response softly.

“Maybe she thought of a new scene.”

“Ah…”

Could it be she’s had some inspiration or something?

Honestly, genius types act like this sometimes.

I was left standing still, pondering how incomprehensible this was from an ordinary person’s perspective.

“Wow, I really apologize for this.”

Ahn Ji-young finally smiled and relaxed her expression.

“Aha… it’s alright.”

“I’m genuinely sorry. The way you two are standing looks so beautiful that I suddenly feel like writing on my laptop right now.”

“Really?”

If that’s the case, then why not just go ahead and do it?

Why is she still standing here, why is Ahn Ji-young looking at me with such a subtle gaze?

“Soo-hyun.”

“Yes?”

“Since you’re here, it must mean you’ve decided to be in the drama, right?”

“Well, that’s true…”

“Hmm, then…”

What on earth is she taking so long to say? Feeling a bit anxious watching her, she suddenly smiled at me.

“I know it might be a little burdensome, but would you like to shoot another scene?”

“Excuse me?”

“The visuals are just too good to pass up.”

What can I say to that? I have only one answer.

“I’m sorry.”

I need to refuse immediately.

I have to go help Jeong-hoon with his music video after finishing this shoot.

There’s no time to spare for a potential contract involving more rehearsals and filming.

“Huh?”

Ahn Ji-young seemed startled by my denial, not expecting it at all.

But it can’t be helped.

“Alright, see you next time, Writer.”

With that, I quickly slipped away, leaving Ahn Ji-young behind.

 

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