After finishing his meal and tidying up, Yooil stretched broadly. The clear sky filled his view.

‘…Ah, this is nice.’

Both the weather and his mood were at their best.

Today’s shooting was scheduled to take place in a location far from Seoul, so after having lunch at the filming site, the actors were all set to start filming.

“Did everyone have a good meal?”

At the staff’s inquiry, Yooil nodded with a smile.

“Yes, I had a full meal.”

“Sorry we couldn’t offer anything better. Oh, and you must come to the after-party! The director has planned a big treat,” the staff whispered rapidly, adding that it wasn’t an opportunity that came every day.

“My, what an honor~”

“Really, the director thinks so highly of us!”

Watching the actors jest cheerfully, Yooil thought to himself,

‘Everyone seems to be in high spirits.’

【It’s ideal conditions for shooting.】

Brion responded crisply.

He didn’t want to admit it, but it was true. When it came to acting, nothing was more important than being in good condition.

The actors, having digested their food through casual chatter, started gearing up for the shoot.

“Okay, let’s stand by. Sound!”

“Speed.”

“Roll.”

“Scene 38, Take 1!”

As the slate clapped down, Yoo Jaeho called out loudly,

“Action!”

They were eating at a rest area.

Why were they eating at a rest area all of a sudden?

It was because this rest area was a gourmet spot insisted upon by Joonki.

Sohee stirred her udon with a displeased face. She clearly didn’t like it.

“Who eats at rest areas these days? Talk about old-fashioned.”

“Come on~ It’s delicious. Don’t be like that, huh?”

At Joonki’s words, Sohee, who had been glaring at him, scoops up a spoonful of the broth. However, she starts coughing before she can even swallow it properly.

“…Ew, what’s this~ The taste is so weird~?”

“It’s supposed to be delicious.”

“It’s fine for me.”

“…Really? How about grandma, is she okay with it?”

Sohee asks Jongsun, who had ordered the same tempura udon.

“It’s edible for me.”

As Jongsun also doesn’t give the response Sohee anticipated, her face falls.

“What the~ Is it really just me? Is that it?”

“Big sis, even if it’s not tasty, eat it anyway. Don’t collapse later.”

Beside the grumbling Sohee, Joonki hastily gulps down his food.

“…Cut! Good job. Let’s move on to the next shot.”

Director Yoo Jaeho nodded and, after filming the same scene from various angles, moved on to the next scene.

It was Scene 39.

‘That’s right, the next scene was a bit short.’

As Yooil glanced at the script and thought this, Brion chimed in as if he had been waiting.

【That’s correct. It should be over quickly.】

“Do Not Disturb mode.”

【…】

Scene 39.

Sohee says she’ll go to the restroom, and Yooil and Joonki buy ice cream.

It was supposed to be a simple scene.

However, contrary to everyone’s expectations that it would end quickly, the takes kept getting longer.

It was all because of Min Sohee.

– I need to use the restroom… oh, that’s not the first line. Sorry.

– Don’t worry, the restroom is… no, that’s not it. Sorry!

– Don’t worry, I need the restroom… Oh my. Really sorry. Ah, why is this so confusing…

Initially smiling, Director Yoo Jaeho’s expression gradually faded as the takes increased.

With each take, Min Sohee’s face grew paler.

“…Ah, I’m really sorry. Truly~”

“It’s okay. Let’s quickly move on to the next take!”

Both Park Joonki and Lee Jongsun looked at her sympathetically, but there was nothing they could do to help.

【She’s stuck in a ‘quagmire’.】

‘A quagmire?’

【Every actor occasionally gets their lines tangled like that.】

Han Yooil quietly pondered.

A few seconds later, he called out to Brion.

‘…Brion.’

【Yes, Yooil.】

‘What about this approach?’

Sensing Yooil’s thoughts, Brion kept silent for a few seconds before speaking.

【That’s a good idea. Director Yoo Jaeho is known for his leniency. It’s worth a try.】

With the voice echoing in his mind, Han Yooil slowly stood up.

Instantly, the eyes of the actors and staff members focused on him.

“Excuse me, Director.”

Yooil approached Director Yoo Jaeho and cautiously spoke.

“Would it be okay if I add a line before?”

“Uh?”

Director Yoo Jaeho squinted at Yooil.

“You want to add a line?”

‘…Let’s hear it first.’

Director Yoo Jaeho slowly nodded, and Han Yooil pointed to the script.

[S#39 Rest Area Front (Daytime)

After eating, each person moves in their own way to digest the meal.

Among them, Sohee looks uncomfortable.

Sohee stands up abruptly.

Yooil and Jongsun, who were drinking their beverages, look at Sohee.

Sohee: …Don’t worry. It’s not like I’m going to throw up. I just need to use the restroom for a sec.]

“Right here, when Senior Sohee stands up, how about I ask ‘Why, you’re gonna throw up again?’ It seems like it might be easier if Senior and I have an exchange of lines.”

“…Hmm.”

Tap, tap, tap.

After tapping his chin for a few seconds, Director Yoo Jaeho slowly nodded.

“Not bad. Alright, let’s give it a try. Is that okay with you, Sohee?”

“Yes, that sounds good. Asking like that beforehand seems like it would make it easier.”

Min Sohee, who looked as if she was about to wilt away, responded brightly as if she had found a clear spring.

“Thank you, Yooil.”

“Not at all. Shall we try it out?”

Director Yoo Jaeho narrowed his eyes as he watched Han Yooil and Min Sohee rehearse the lines.

‘…That’s clever.’

He was a bit surprised. Not just by the content of the suggestion but also by the audacity it took. Proposing changes to the director on the set of his first film wasn’t an easy thing to do.

‘Well then… let’s see how it goes.’

He needed to see for himself if Han Yooil’s suggestion was indeed usable.

“Okay, we’re going again~”

The red light on the camera turned on.

“Scene 39, Take 9!”

As the slate clapped, Director Yoo Jaeho took a deep breath.

“Action!”

And in front of the camera, they became the group that met in a suicide community.

Sohee, with a pale and uncomfortable face, holding her stomach, suddenly stands up.

Yooil, who was watching Sohee while drinking banana milk, speaks up.

“Why, you gonna throw up again?”

His tone is rough and somewhat irritating, but not overtly confrontational.

It’s something Yooil’s character could say.

“Don’t worry. It’s not like I’m going to throw up.”

Then, Yooil nonchalantly shrugs his shoulders as if saying she should handle it herself.

Watching him, Sohee starts to get irritated. Biting her lip slightly, she says,

“I’m just going to the restroom for a sec, okay?”

“So what if you are.”

Sohee glares briefly at Yooil before turning around and walking away.

With each step, her anger is palpable.

Yooil, not even watching her leave, takes a sip of his banana milk.

The lighting team’s staff couldn’t take their eyes off the scene.

It was a scene they had read in the script.

But what unfolded before their eyes surpassed the script.

“Cut!”

Director Yoo Jaeho shouted brightly. As soon as he heard the word ‘cut’, Han Yooil’s eyebrows drooped.

“…I’m sorry. I just responded to the lines spontaneously, Director.”

“No, no. It’s good. We’re keeping that, exactly as it was.”

Director Yoo Jaeho, excited, looked at Min Sohee and continued,

“Ah, that was really good! Sohee, you can do it like that!”

“…Thank you.”

Min Sohee clenched her fist. Her heart was still racing.

It was partly because she was still irked by Yooil’s retort a moment ago.

“You did really well, Senior.”

At Han Yooil’s words, Min Sohee gave a faint smile. Her eyes moist, she softly called Yooil’s name.

“Yooil.”

“Yes?”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Min Sohee’s frown deepened slightly.

“Let’s take a break.”

At Director Yoo Jaeho’s words, the assistant director nodded and announced,

“Everyone, we’re taking a short break~”

While the staff were reorganizing, Yooil headed to the restroom.

Park Joonki, Lee Jongsun, and Min Sohee were still sitting in their places.

All of them were deep in thought.

“…He’s impressive.”

Park Joonki was the first to break the silence.

“Indeed.”

Lee Jongsun nodded in agreement, and Min Sohee genuinely concurred.

They were actors who varied widely in age, ranging from 15 to even 50 years older than Han Yooil. When they first met the young Yooil on the first day of shooting, they simply found him adorable.

That was before they acted alongside him.

“…Before, a now-deceased senior actor once said this,”

Min Sohee continued softly.

“A truly great actor isn’t just good at their own performance but enhances the performance of their fellow actors as well.”

Lee Jongsun nodded.

“…That’s true.”

They too were individuals whose passion and experience in acting were no less than those of renowned actors. Sadly, there’s a wall called talent in acting.

The world is full of talented actors. And there are many who are fortunate or blessed with great looks.

Min Sohee, Park Joonki, and Lee Jongsun, they all didn’t want their passion for acting to be overshadowed in their struggle to survive in the industry. However, standing out through acting was harder than plucking stars from the sky. Most of their days were spent being overshadowed as ‘extras’ to the main characters. They were individuals who had spent decades grappling with this sadness and alienation.

‘I’ve met quite a few actors in my time.’

But among them, actors who possessed talent, effort, and something more were truly rare.

“Yooil is a good actor.”

Lee Jongsun and Park Joonki nodded in agreement with Min Sohee’s remark.

“He’s going to make it big.”

“You never know. Participating in this project might turn out to be a huge portfolio for us too.”

Lee Jongsun said this and chuckled.

“Of course, we have to live long enough to see it.”

“…What are you talking about, Senior.”

The trio turned their heads towards the voice from behind. Han Yooil was standing there with wide eyes.

“You need to live a long life. It’s an era of longevity. You’ve still got plenty of time left.”

At Yooil’s words, Min Sohee burst into laughter. Even Park Joonki, who was trying to keep a straight face, broke into loud laughter, leaving Han Yooil puzzled.

‘…Were they talking about me?’

【If they were talking about Han Yooil, there’s a 38% chance it was praise, 47% chance it was gossip…】

‘Enough.’

* * *

The short break for casual chatter passed. Voices announcing the resumption of shooting were heard here and there.

“We’re about to start shooting~!”

Hearing this, Yooil slowly stood up.

‘Finally, we’re filming this scene.’

The scene they were about to shoot was the one Yooil had practiced the most for this movie. It was a challenging scene, but the preparation process was as enjoyable as it was difficult.

A suitably pleasant tension flowed through Yooil’s veins, invigorating him. Han Yooil stood up slowly with a face filled with faint anticipation.

‘I have to do it right.’

And he truly believed he would do it ‘right’.