“……”

On the first day of filming, Seoyeon stood aghast, staring at the large pig's head in front of her.

“Seoyeon, it's your turn,” someone said.

“Oh, yes.”

Seoyeon, along with a few other actors, bowed deeply to the pig's head.

It’s a common practice in film or drama productions to perform a ritual before starting, to pray for the project’s success. Seoyeon found it interesting because she had never experienced this during her time on The Moon Embracing the Sun.

‘A pig's head…’

Seoyeon felt an indescribable emotion as she looked at the pig's head, which seemed to be smiling at her. It reminded her of the creature she saw in If You Switch It On, You’ll Be a King.

‘Could it be that I’m easily scared?’

Seoyeon had never considered herself mentally weak, but the fear she experienced for the first time was so shocking that it lingered in her mind. It would fade with time, but for now, it was still there.

“Seoyeon, are you feeling okay?”

“Yes.”

Seoyeon nodded in response to her manager Park Eun-ha's question. To others, Seoyeon seemed calm and composed, with no change in her expression. Even though she was startled by the pig's head, her only visible reaction was a slight trembling in her eyes.

‘Indeed…’

Park Eun-ha gazed at Seoyeon intently. Actors, especially exceptional ones, are different from ordinary people.

Hwang Min-hwa, who Park Eun-ha had previously managed, was the same. She exuded a sophisticated aura and an overwhelming presence that made it difficult for others to speak freely in her presence, often leading them to feel suppressed.

And Seoyeon?

“Filming might take a while, so why don’t you rest in the van?”

Contrary to her cold appearance, Seoyeon was very kind-hearted, the complete opposite of Hwang Min-hwa.

Or perhaps not the opposite, since Hwang Min-hwa's image didn’t exactly scream kindness.

‘I thought Seoyeon would be similar.’

When Park Eun-ha first met Seoyeon, she froze. Seoyeon had an expressionless face that was hard to read, making her seem like a doll.

Like Hwang Min-hwa, or perhaps even more so, Seoyeon possessed an aura that proved the title of "genius child actress" was no exaggeration.

She had something overwhelmingly captivating, perhaps the greatest quality an actor could have. And when she acted, her aura could change in an instant.

The surprise Park Eun-ha felt when she first saw Hwang Min-hwa up close was now surpassed by Seoyeon.

‘That's why even Hwang Min-hwa couldn’t act recklessly around her.’

Actors who have reached the top often have keen insight. Hwang Min-hwa had an eye for spotting people who would rise and those who wouldn’t. Seoyeon must have passed her test.

So, Hwang Min-hwa pretended to be a kind older sister, hiding her true intentions.

“It’s fine, I’ll stay here and watch. Where else would a manager go?”

“Hmm, I don’t think it would be a problem.”

“Just focus on the filming.”

Park Eun-ha smiled as she spoke. The Chaser was Seoyeon’s first film.

And its release date coincided with that of a film starring Hwang Min-hwa: Utopia. Just as GH Group had put their all into The Chaser, Utopia was backed by a giant corporation. In fact, Utopia had even more financial support, including international funding.

Although The Chaser had a better-known director, Utopia boasted a higher number of top-tier actors.

While The Chaser wasn’t small in scale, Utopia was an even bigger blockbuster.

‘Still…’

As Park Eun-ha watched Seoyeon preparing herself, she silently wished for Seoyeon to surpass Hwang Min-hwa.

She believed it would happen.

“Today’s shoot is the scene where Detective Im Seung-chul coincidentally sees the murderer, Cha Seo-ah, escaping and chases her.”

This was scene number 30. After the confrontation between Cha Seo-ah and the detectives at the bus stop, the night patrol scene happens where they meet again by chance. This was the first encounter with the murderer, Cha Seo-ah.

‘So, he doesn’t shoot in sequence.’

Hearing that it was scene number 30, Seoyeon checked her physical condition. She hadn’t expected her first shoot to involve running.

Each director has a different shooting style. Director Gong Jung-tae of The Moon Embracing the Sun preferred shooting scenes in order.

However, Director Bae Jin-hwan of The Chaser preferred to shoot scenes that matched the mood of the day or, alternatively, to start with the most challenging scenes.

Today seemed to be one of those tougher days.

“Seoyeon, are you okay with this? Are you sure you don’t need a stunt double?”

“I’m fine.”

It’s common for actresses to use stunt doubles for physically demanding scenes, not only for action sequences but also to make the scenes look more visually appealing.

This is especially true for high-speed chase scenes like this one. Cha Seo-ah often wore clothing that concealed her identity, like hoodies or raincoats, making it easier to use a stunt double.

“Okay, just let us know if it gets too tough.”

“Sure.”

In truth, even though today's scene involved running, it wasn’t anything too intense. Detective Im Seung-chul, who had been pursuing the serial killings, stumbles upon Cha Seo-ah as she is leaving the crime scene.

“Wow, they’re starting with a tough scene.”

“It’s better to start tough so it gets easier as we go.”

This conversation, in a dialect, drifted over from the staff.

‘It’s going to be tough.’

The staff who knew Director Bae Jin-hwan’s style clicked their tongues as they watched Seoyeon. The director was known to be a perfectionist, insisting on capturing the exact scene he envisioned.

Because of this, actors who initially volunteered to do their own physical scenes often gave up over time.

Half-hearted physical acting is worse than no scene at all. A criminal who can’t even run properly? Of course, Director Bae wouldn’t be satisfied with that.

On top of that, it was a night shoot. Although the nighttime schedule was convenient for Seoyeon, who still had school, it was grueling for the crew.

‘We might be pulling an all-nighter today.’

This wasn’t a matter of acting skills. It would be better to use a stunt double. But what could they do when the actor insisted on doing it themselves?

“Get the slate ready.”

The assistant director held the slate, signaling that the shoot was about to start.

The assistant director called for standby. Sound, camera—all departments confirmed their readiness.

Director Bae Jin-hwan surveyed the alley where the scene would be filmed.

Only two actors were involved in this scene: Joo Seoyeon as Cha Seo-ah and Kim Dae-heon as Detective Im Seung-chul.

‘Finally.’

Director Bae swallowed nervously as he looked at the two actors. Directors get nervous too, after all.

Especially this time, as GH Group had granted him full creative control. They allowed him to cast the actors he believed in, rather than more popular or expensive stars.

Kim Dae-heon was a talented actor, but he didn’t have much experience in lead roles. Most of his roles had been villains or generals in historical dramas. But Director Bae believed his acting potential went beyond that.

It was his job to bring that potential to life.

‘And then there’s Joo Seoyeon.’

Her entire career consisted of child roles. To be honest, the producers were concerned about casting her in such a major role. No matter how talented she was, the executives only cared about numbers.

Her most famous drama featured her in only three episodes. Her recent play was a huge hit, but that wouldn’t impress the higher-ups.

What they care about is revenue. How much money can an actor generate? That’s all they care about.

Ironically, it was the impact of Looking at the Past, Memories that allowed her to be cast. After all, it was a network show.

Seoyeon, who hadn’t even done a single commercial, was seen as an untested lottery ticket by the executives.

‘A lottery ticket.’

It’s a nice way of putting it, but lottery tickets rarely win. It would be great if it hit the jackpot, but most of the time, it doesn’t.

‘I trust my eyes.’

Director Bae remembered Seoyeon’s performance as Hong Jung-hee in Eyes Closed and her acting during the script reading.

That spark of talent.

“Action!”

S#30.

The first chase scene.

The Chaser.

This scene, more than any other, embodied the intensity of the film. Under the moonlight, the shooting began.

Clatter!

A pile of trash next to a utility pole tumbled over. Detective Im Seung-chul, who had been chasing the recent string of murders, frantically looked around.

“Where is it? Where are you?”

He glanced down at his old cell phone to check the time of the report. The call had come in late at night, a terrified voice saying someone had broken into their home.

But before they could give their full address, there was a scream.

Without waking his sleeping colleagues, Im Seung-chul rushed out alone into the dark alley.

The victim had given an approximate location over the phone—Mangwon-ro, 49th Street.

Weaving through the maze of residential houses, Im Seung-chul ran aimlessly. More than ten minutes had passed since the report came in.

He might be too late. He shook his head, trying to push that thought away.

Then, as he turned down yet another alley…

“……”

He came face-to-face with someone wearing a yellow raincoat.

Someone wearing a raincoat, even though it wasn’t raining.

A small figure, hard to determine their gender. An eerie presence, as if swallowing the darkness.

Im Seung-chul’s eyes widened when he saw the red stains on the yellow raincoat. Blood. Whose blood was it?

There was no need to ask.

“You bastard!”

With a roar that echoed through the alley, Im Seung-chul charged at the figure. Leaping over the scattered trash, he closed in on the suspect, who turned and fled.

The weapon had already been discarded. Seeing the size difference, the criminal chose to run rather than fight.

And then…

“……?”

The figure disappeared in an instant.

Kim Dae-heon, playing Detective Im Seung-chul, came to a stop.

‘How is she so fast?’

Ah, no wonder they hadn’t caught this criminal yet. It was the kind of speed that made you think that.

“Cut, cut, cut!”

Director Bae Jin-hwan hurriedly called out.

He called for Seoyeon, who had already dashed out of the alley.

“Seoyeon!”

“Yes.”

“Um… can you run a little slower?”

It made sense for the criminal to run fast, but this was too much.

“Did you do track in school, Seoyeon?”

“Oh, no.”

Seoyeon denied it, but it was hard to believe. Now they understood why she didn’t need a stunt double. The staff all thought the same thing.

“Okay, let’s try it again, this time matching the pace.”

Director Bae clapped his hands and shouted out instructions.

And so, the reshoot began.

After that astonishing display of speed, everyone was on edge.

“Wow, that shot turned out great.”

“That’s exactly what we wanted. Everything is lining up perfectly.”

S#30.

The scene ended with praise from everyone.

No one had to pull an all-nighter; it was over in a flash.

The first chase scene that symbolized The Chaser.

With such a successful start, a smile spread across Director Bae Jin-hwan’s face.