This Life is Splendid

Episode 7

It’s often frustrating to work with a newcomer, but it’s frustrating to be forced into a new agency and to be accepted by an advertiser.

“You guys just laugh and laugh amongst yourselves and I’ll do all the difficult work.”

XX. Director Cha Sung-tae, who had been cursing profusely, stared at the screen while setting up the camera.

A new actor who had finished preparing quickly came out and was already in the shot, listening to the storyboard explanation.

He’s not messy and he’s quick and nimble. He’s a rookie, so how good can he be? If I expect him to do well, I’ll just get upset. Coach Cha’s face, which had slightly brightened, crumpled again.

“Director, would you like a refreshing drink?”

As expected, a man who claimed to be the new actor’s manager came up to me and started flirting. He was flattering me in advance, expecting that I would be 200% upset.

When Director Cha ignored him, the assistant director next to him smiled cheerfully, accepted the drink for him, and expressed his gratitude.

“Child, I will drink well.”

“Please take good care of our actors.”

“Yes, yes.”

Leaving the idiots having meaningless conversations behind, Director Cha checked the clothes and hair of the new actors in the angle.

As we had discussed beforehand, the long, flowing hair, tight-fitting sleeveless top, and loose denim wide pants captured the freshness of being in your early 20s.

The image is good.

The staff member who was explaining to the rookie in the angle sent a signal to Director Cha. Director Cha grabbed the microphone.

“Okay, extras, into the angle.”

Then the staff called in the extras.

The concept of the shoot was youth.

Despite the hot summer, young people come to the park to play basketball, dance, and skateboard.

A rookie actor was scheduled to skateboard past a group of extras playing basketball and performing popular K-pop dance moves on one side.

It didn’t matter if I didn’t know how to ride a snowboard.

Just find your center on it, push, and keep going.

Of course, since it had been quite some time since we shared the concept, I had nothing to say if I was just a idiot who couldn’t even keep my balance on the board.

Director Cha opened his mouth into the microphone.

“Let’s take it easy, ready.”

The extras rehearsed, bouncing a basketball and practicing their dance moves among themselves.

But maybe because it was hot, everyone’s tension was low.

What was surprising was that, without any specific instructions, they had already directed a scene in which a new actor spoke to extras who came out to skateboard with him and had a natural conversation.

Director Cha’s lips slightly rose. What was that new actor’s name?

“Action.”

The face of a new actor was captured on the monitor with a signal. Oh, I remembered. I think it was Kang Da-eun.

I was quite satisfied with Da-eun’s refreshing smile.

“Okay. Let’s go out and ride the board.”

When the director gave the order, Da-eun threw down the board she was holding at her side as if it was being held, and lifted one foot. It was a bold action, as if she had tried it before.

It was nice because it wasn’t awkward.

But Director Cha did not open his heart hastily.

Since board games were really popular at the time, she could have known how to ride them. But since she was a newbie, it was obvious that she would try to look all pretty during close-up shots.

Even experienced actors often find it difficult to act with a plain expression.

“Tsk,” Director Cha added into the microphone, clicking his tongue.

“Just get close to the camera, show your face, and then pass by.”

The overall storyboard of the CF was like this.

The main character appears among energetic young men under the bright sunlight and passes by with a refreshing smile. Above them, the screen was to be filled with the sound of a vitamin drink being opened.

Da-eun, who was pushing the board with her feet like that, approaches the camera.

“Uh uh…!”

Thump, thump, thump. One of the extras bounced a basketball wrong, blocking the path.

“Cut! NG.”

As Coach Cha glared sharply at the supporting actor who had mishandled the ball, an apology was immediately issued.

Director Cha, whose nerves were on edge, sighed nervously and raised his hand.

“Ready.”

In an instant, the atmosphere on set froze and the expressions of the supporting actors became more awkward, but Director Cha ignored it. It didn’t matter because the surroundings would fade out anyway. All that mattered was that the main actors did well.

Kang Da-eun’s expression on the screen was flawless. Director Cha nodded slightly and lowered his hand as he shouted.

“cue!”

The music that would be inserted into the advertisement blared and the extras moved around individually.

The sky was filled with a bluer color in the bright summer sunlight. The movements of the supporting actors were captured well along with the lively band music that gave off a summery vibe.

As the refreshing female vocalist hit a cool high note, Da-eun, who received a signal from Coach Cha, climbed onto the board and picked up speed.

‘yes!’

Director Cha let out a cheer without realizing it. The atmosphere was really good. Da-eun’s appearance on the screen was like vitamins itself.

Leaving behind the supporting cast who play basketball, dance, and move around energetically in groups,

Da-eun approached me, her long hair fluttering as the sunlight streamed through the green leaves.

At this point, I’d let it pass even if you bit your lip and winked. You’re watching with such great determination.

“… … !”

Director Cha, who had stopped moving blankly, stared at the screen.

Da-eun’s face, which had come closer, was full of life. Her clear, clean skin and refreshing appearance alone caught people’s attention.

He approached his friend with a playful expression, slightly frowning at the bridge of his nose, as if to surprise him, and then moved away.

The camera director, whose eyes met mine through the lens, opened his mouth and exclaimed, “Wow.”

With the band music that was heart-pounding, it was a feeling that was overwhelming, although it was hard to explain.

Director Cha regained his composure and shouted.

“Cut! Okay!”

Da-eun’s eyes widened, as if she hadn’t expected it to be okayed so quickly.

Yeah, youth. It was youth.

Her energy, which filled the screen, was youth itself. It has been a long time since I met a newcomer like this.

“Da-eun! It was so good just now. Come and see.”

A smile of joy filled Director Cha’s face. His previously sullen expression had clearly changed.

As Da-eun went next to the monitor, Director Cha opened his mouth excitedly.

“Hey. It’s youth, youth. Look, you did a great job.”

He praised the actor for capturing the perfect atmosphere for a vitamin drink and for capturing this energy well on screen.

“It’s still really good, but just in case, let’s film it a few more times. Is that possible?”

“Yes, Director.”

In the two or three shoots that followed, Da-eun lived up to Director Cha’s expectations. Thanks to Director Cha’s bright smile, the atmosphere on set also improved.

Filming ended earlier than scheduled.

That evening, Director Cha sat down in the editing room and opened the file with a nervous expression.

All the footage was good, but the energy from the first one was the best. The problem was the supporting actors.

Director Cha saw the extras’ movements become more natural in the latter half of the film and decided that even if it meant longer editing times, he had to use the original close-up of Da-eun.

“Shall we begin?”

Even while editing, Director Cha’s attitude toward junior directors was generous. Thanks to this, the quality of the advertisements improved, so it was a good thing all around.

* * *

Immediately after filming the CF, Da-eun’s manager Do-yoon ran towards Da-eun in a car, turned on the fan, and handed her ice water.

“You worked hard, actor. Was it hot?”

“Oh, thank you.”

It was the first time I saw Director Cha, who is known for being nervous, smile like that. If I were to tell you about the atmosphere on set today, Director Moon Ki-jung and CEO Bae Yong-seop would be shocked.

“Get in the car quickly. I’ve turned on the air conditioning to make it cool.”

Da-eun got into the car, saying thank you. Do-yoon closed the car door, got into the driver’s seat, and started the car smoothly.

I drove quietly without telling her to take a break. When I glanced at the rearview mirror, I saw Da-eun sipping ice water to cool off.

A smile appeared on Do-yoon’s lips.

I was honestly dissatisfied with being assigned to a freshman who hadn’t even graduated yet. I thought I was just around the corner from a promotion!

I used to sigh when I saw a lot of celebrities who had no talent but were pretty but had bad personalities. This actor has a pretty face, a pretty personality, and good skills.

Wouldn’t Da-eun be able to grow faster if it were CEO Bae who took care of Da-eun instead of Director Moon who discovered her at the audition?

In fact, Do-yoon had many complaints about Director Moon, who was inflexible and stubborn.

Isn’t this floor all like that?

After pouring a few drinks for the rich and powerful, they’re always in the lead roles.

I also want to get promoted quickly.