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I arrived at the filming location early this morning.

“Ah, welcome, actor!”

“Yes.”

Finally, the long-awaited first day of filming has arrived.

To be honest, it would be a lie to say I’m not nervous at all.

Not just me, but the surrounding staff seem to be a bit tense too.

After all, today is the first filming day for everyone.

“Seo-hyun, you can go over there.”

Since I can’t film in the clothes I’m currently wearing, I followed the staff’s guidance to get styled.

The first scene I film today is the family dinner scene that appears in the early part of the drama.

As expected of a chaebol family’s setting, it’s a formal occasion, so the assigned stylist starts by transforming me to look like a chaebol worthy of the drama.

“Your skin is really nice.”

“Ah, haha… Thank you.”

“How do you manage your hair? It’s so silky!”

As I awkwardly respond to the stylist’s nonstop questions, my reflection in the mirror begins to change gradually.

The light makeup becomes richer, enhancing my features, and my previously straight hair turns into voluminous waves.

Glistening earrings adorn my ears, and a luxurious pearl necklace graces my neck.

After spending quite some time receiving makeup of a different quality than what I had with Lady Soo-yeon or Han Hye-jin, I received my outfit.

“You can change into this in the changing room.”

“Okay.”

It was a jacket and skirt that obviously looked luxurious at first glance.

“And please carry this bag.”

Then I received a bag I had never worn before.

Is it a sponsored bag?

“…I’ve never worn something this high-end before.”

Surprised by my comment about it being my first luxurious item, the stylist looked at me with a bit of disbelief.

“Oh really? Since it’s a role you’re playing, you’ll often be in designer wear during filming.”

“Oh wow.”

That’s a little daunting.

What if I trip while wearing this and rip it? Would I have to compensate for that?

I came here using public transportation this morning, and now I feel weird draping myself in luxury.

Nevertheless, I carefully changed in the changing room.

Having previously provided my size, I came out in perfectly fitting clothes, and the stylist raised both thumbs in admiration.

“You look great!”

“Ah, really?”

“Yes, it truly suits you!”

Um, hmm.

It feels nice to be complimented.

When I sneaked a look in the mirror, even I felt that I looked good.

More than that, it’s incredible how from head to toe, I look amazing.

Wearing clothes I’d only ever seen on TV feels surreal.

“How much is everything I’m wearing combined?”

Curious about the price as I looked in the mirror, I asked.

The stylist pondered for a moment before about giving me a rough estimate.

“Probably the price of a car?”

“Really?

…With that money, I could buy a car…

No wait, people who buy this probably already own a car, right?

Hmm… The quality does seem good… The price is surprising.

Just thinking about it makes me nervous.

“I shouldn’t have asked about the price.”

“Huh, why?”

“Because I’m kind of trembling….”

“Hahaha.”

What if I stumble and fall while wearing this?

“Here, wear these.”

Seemingly aware or unaware of my anxiety, the stylist handed me some shoes.

These must be designer too, right?

Since I don’t have much experience wearing high heels, I carefully put them on and stood up.

Wow, my height suddenly feels different.

I’m already somewhat tall among girls, but wearing heels makes me as tall as the male staff.

Dressed in my finery, I headed to the set decorated like a luxury house.

I sat down at a designated chair for a moment while waiting, and soon after, other actors who were dressed up like me started to arrive at the set. After everyone gathered, the director held a short meeting about the scene.

The scene isn’t that complicated, so the meeting wrapped up quickly. Everyone took their places in the prepared set and filming officially began.

First, the actors excluding me sat at the table and acted out a casual conversation.

They were discussing the current situation, mentioning something about group affiliates.

Typical chat that chaebols might have, and suddenly an elderly actor playing Sera’s grandfather, who is also the company chairman, furrows his brow.

“When will Sera arrive?”

Today is a family dinner.

But Sera isn’t at the table yet.

After that line, the director signaled me, and I stood up from the waiting chair and confidently walked into the set.

Clack, clack.

Feeling the camera director’s gaze on me, I collected my thoughts.

Perhaps it’s because I practiced so much? Once the filming began, my nerves started to settle.

Right now, I am Sera.

As I kept thinking this, the expensive outfit that felt awkward at first started to feel lighter.

The high heels lifted my self-esteem, which had fallen due to my own insecurities.

The outfit worth more than others’ paychecks seemed to announce my value to the world.

Of course….

“Are you finally here?”

“Tsk, how many times do I have to say this is an important occasion?”

That won’t work on those who already possess everything Sera has.

“It’s okay to be a little late.”

Sera greeted her family, wearing her mask of confidence again today.

***

“Cut! That was great!”

The dining scene has wrapped up.

“Thank you, everyone!”

“Oh wow, that was quick.”

As soon as the director called for a cut, the other actors encouraged and thanked each other.

It was a one-take scene, and everyone felt good that there were no NGs.

“Phew….”

I also took a moment to thank everyone, leaning back in the chair and catching my breath.

The chaebol dialogue is intense.

Honestly, even though it wasn’t a complicated scene, it was still a bit exhausting.

After catching my breath for a moment, I got up to move to the next shoot.

As I stood up, I watched the staff busily moving the cameras around the set and adjusted my outfit.

I hope there are no wrinkles or anything?

Speaking of which, I need to change outfits again.

Everything is so rushed.

But since we finished without any NGs, it seems like we have some time to spare, thank goodness.

Heading to the costume room to change, I noticed other actors on one side.

“Hyungnim, I brought water.”

“Thanks, what scene is next?”

“Oh, this time….”

After the scene, managers subtly move in to fetch water and care for their actors.

…Honestly, I’m a bit envious.

I mean, I’m a lead too, but it’s sad to not have a manager.

Should I bring a friend from my acquaintances as a makeshift manager?

As I walked to the costume room, I briefly considered a list of possible candidates in my head.

The members of The Six… are not leisure people.

Hyejeong… is busy as a college student.

And… um.

Thinking through my narrow social circle, no one came to mind who was laid back.

…Everyone’s working so hard.

But asking The Six for help or picking one personally feels wrong.

Since I’ll be filming for several more months, should I really join an agency?

While contemplating about managers, I arrived at the costume room, changed into another luxury outfit for the next scene, and stepped out.

But when I exited the set, I spotted a familiar face over by the set.

“Oh, Seo-hyun!”

Seeing me, Nam Han-kyung happily waved his hand, so I approached him.

“Did you just arrive?”

“Did your scene finish already?”

“Yes? Well, one scene wrapped up.”

It was Nam Han-kyung.

Dressed in a formal suit to fit his role, he was with a woman wearing a hat pulled down low.

“This is….”

“Oh, this is my manager, noona.”

“Ah, she’s your manager, nice to meet you.”

“Yes, hello….”

I don’t think I saw her during the script reading, but it seems he brought her along for the actual shooting.

But still, it’s nice to see that Nam Han-kyung has a manager…

Well, it’d be weird not to given he must have an agency and is quite popular.

“By the way, that outfit suits you well.”

“Oh, really?”

Dressed in another designer piece, he looked quite dapper.

Sera always wears high-end clothes throughout the drama.

I feel awkward but also like I’ll get used to it.

I might just end up wearing all the high-fashion pieces I’ve never had the chance to wear while filming this drama.

“What about me?”

“Han-kyung?”

“Yeah, I borrowed this too, and the price is outrageous.”

As he said that, showing off the clothing, it indeed suited him well because it fit his style.

“It looks good.”

“Really?”

“Yes, you look like Nam Kyung-min.”

“Is that a compliment?”

The character Nam Han-kyung plays, Nam Kyung-min, is a villain with sociopathic traits, so he made a strange face.

“A compliment for an actor, right?”

“Yes, Seo-hyun, you also look like Sera.”

“Sera?”

“Isn’t that a compliment for an actor?”

“…”

After what I said unintentionally put my foot in my mouth, I shut up.

“You’re in the next scene with me, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then we can just walk together.”

The next filming location also has a prepared set at the broadcasting station, so it’s only a short walk.

Thus, I moved with Nam Han-kyung and his manager toward the filming location.

“What’s next on the schedule, noona?”

“Um… today is….”

By the way….

As I walked, I subtly glanced at Nam Han-kyung talking to his manager.

This reminded me of what Manager Kim had said during our dinner.

Did he bring this up to get to know me better?

Now I feel a bit sensitive about it.

Is something going to happen?

I kept glancing at him while moving to the location to shoot the next scene.

 

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