A few days after deciding to play a ghost role at the school festival.
Joo Seo-yeon was showcasing her action acting at the Cheonghong Action School.
“Come on, come on, Cha Seo-ah isn’t a martial artist. Fighting with such restrained movements looks cool, but it feels off. Off!!”
Professor Kim Hong-baek was rigorously training Seo-yeon in action acting.
Even other stuntman aspirants who had initially looked down on Seo-yeon were now amazed.
However, Professor Kim was shaking his head, but for a different reason.
‘It’s hard to find a time when she looks tired.’
Still, unlike at the start, it was now noticeable that Seo-yeon was wiping sweat from her brow.
Her breathing was, still calm.
Her chest was slightly rising and falling, but that was all.
For someone who had been doing action acting for hours, she was surprisingly energetic.
“I guess since there’s no stand-in, this time, I’ll take on the role of Detective Im Seung-cheol.”
Kim Hong-baek seemed to think that Cha Seo-ah’s action acting was nearly set.
“Huh?”
“Why are you surprised?”
“Oh, nothing.”
Right, action acting needs to match with the opponent.
Seo-yeon suddenly realized that.
She clenched and unclenched her hands, contemplating.
‘It should be fine, right?’
Her body, which had possessed strength on par with adult men since she was six, had now almost turned into a human weapon. The joke about being a super soldier was now looking plausible.
‘But, I learned this for this, after all.’
It seemed better to match up with Professor Kim Hong-baek, a master of martial arts, before working with actor Kim Dae-heon.
“Then let’s get started.”
What they were about to practice was the final highlight of The Chaser.
The fighting scene between Detective Im Seung-cheol and Cha Seo-ah.
Scene 115.
“First, try to act as much like Cha Seo-ah as possible.”
“As much as possible?”
“I need to see movements mixed with emotions.”
“……Sure.”
Seo-yeon nodded and calmly gathered her emotions.
Then, with a breath once.
And again.
As she steadied her emotions and opened her eyes.
Tak!!
Professor Kim Hong-baek rushed in.
Normally, Detective Im Seung-cheol would have a line to say, but there was none right now.
But.
The somewhat awkward yet quick and light steps of Detective Im Seung-cheol caught her eye.
They were nearly identical to those of actor Kim Dae-heon.
Stuntman.
And stand-in actor.
Originally, Professor Kim Hong-baek was the best stand-in actor and stuntman in South Korea.
The way he mirrored Kim Dae-heon’s movements proved that.
Naturally, the gazes of the trainees watching this converged.
Professor Kim’s action acting was not something you could see every day.
At the same time, they were curious about what kind of action acting an actress with such a strong physique would showcase.
And.
‘Cha Seo-ah is not a martial artist.’
Moving her body while reflecting on Professor Kim’s words.
Rather than techniques learned for fighting, it was about the instinctive aggression inherent in a human.
The movements of a human who feels no fear, characteristic of Cha Seo-ah.
Swish!!
Seo-yeon lightly dodged Professor Kim’s hand.
It was a preordained action.
And then Seo-yeon’s fist.
Woosh!!
Cut through the air, brushing against Professor Kim’s cheek.
“Wait a moment.”
“Yes?”
Professor Kim touched his cheek.
They had matched the action to evade, but a cut was called.
“……”
Hmm.
Professor Kim said,
“Let’s take it a bit easier.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Remember, it’s not about hitting the opponent; it’s about matching the actions, okay?”
“I-I’m pretty sure that was a miss …. Maybe.”
“Is that so?”
For something that seemed to fly straight on, it must have been that she got so engrossed in Cha Seo-ah’s emotions that she lost control.
‘If it were actor Kim Dae-heon, one blow would have done it.’
Suddenly, that thought crossed her mind.
Thank goodness they had practiced ahead of time.
“I heard the highlight scene filming is coming up soon, so I’m glad we tried it first.”
“Really?”
Seo-yeon, who was staring at her fist, widened her eyes at Professor Kim Hong-baek’s words.
The highlight scene filming is soon?
She was sure it was scheduled for much later.
“Oh dear, didn’t you hear? Director Bae Jin-hwan said there’s been a change of plans. So we need to start with the highlight scene.”
“Oh.”
So that’s why they were practicing this scene first instead of the chasing scene today.
Only then did Seo-yeon understand.
Director Bae Jin-hwan probably thought Professor Kim would inform her.
“So, let’s do it properly.”
“Yes.”
Seeing Seo-yeon bursting with enthusiasm, Professor Kim Hong-baek once again touched his cheek.
“……I need to put on some medication for a moment.”
If they weren’t careful, this simple cut might not end there.
Professor Kim felt that certainty.
*
A few days later, the scheduled filming of The Chaser began.
The location was a convenience store.
“We’re filming all the scenes set in the convenience store today.”
The filming of The Chaser was progressing smoothly overall.
At this rate, it was certain to be released either sometime this year or, at the latest, early next year.
They had even begun production on a promotional video with the scenes already shot.
“So, we might end a bit late today. We’re filming three scenes, three.”
Director Bae Jin-hwan told the staff.
Originally, a few of the scenes in the convenience store were meant to be split over time for filming.
Naturally, the convenience store was a highlight of the movie.
So they initially planned to film it later to maintain emotional continuity.
However.
“The store owner has other commitments.”
“Oh, then there’s nothing that can be done.”
They had borrowed the location after getting the store owner’s permission, so it couldn’t be helped.
Of course, the compensation was adequately provided. In fact, they had provided more than necessary.
After all, with a lot of foot traffic, if any bad rumors spread about this place, it would negatively impact the film.
Director Bae Jin-hwan was one who cared deeply about such reputations and rumors.
‘But the real trouble was elsewhere.’
Seo-yeon thought while staring at Director Bae Jin-hwan.
In the past, The Chaser had been nothing but a series of misfortunes.
The peak of this was Pyo Ji-woo’s nightclub scandal and attempted murder.
The release got delayed, the screening halls were reduced, and every kind of infamy was cast upon them.
This time, now that Seo-yeon took on the role of Cha Seo-ah, it shouldn’t happen, but he really had been an unfortunate director in many ways.
“Ah, Seo-yeon.”
While she was lost in thoughts, Bae Jin-hwan approached, smiling.
“How’s the filming going today? It is a later scene, so it might be a bit tough?”
“Yeah, probably.”
It was probably in consideration of Seo-yeon’s method acting.
The highlight.
The scene in the convenience store was the highlight of the film, without a doubt.
Naturally, it was the most burdensome part for Seo-yeon, who needed to tune into her character’s emotions.
Simultaneously, since the order was misplaced, it might interfere with her emotional immersion.
With various factors, it could be a tough task for Seo-yeon.
‘But I can’t film in order all the time.’
When she was younger, Director Gong Jung-tae had often taken care of her, allowing her to film in order.
But now, Seo-yeon was no longer a child.
She would continue acting in dramas and films from now on.
This sort of thing was something she had to adapt to as a given.
“That’s very good.”
Director Bae Jin-hwan, having read Seo-yeon’s thoughts, gave a thumbs up.
Every time, Seo-yeon’s approach to acting was serious.
‘Honestly, she doesn’t come off as a teenager at all.’
She greeted people politely, and her attitude towards acting was admirable.
Director Bae Jin-hwan had no choice but to be an older man.
Although he had had a few complaints about young actors recently, Seo-yeon had completely quelled those complaints.
Because of that, Seo-yeon had a very favorable reputation on set.
“Seo-yeon is really good at socializing.”
“See? She’s very professional in dealing with people. She must be quite popular at school, right?”
A passing staff member said to Seo-yeon with a smile.
And this wasn’t the first time she had heard such words, so Seo-yeon simply smiled awkwardly.
“Popular…… Of course.”
Seo-yeon confidently replied.
After all, she was just about to take on the ghost role at the festival, so the rest would soon follow.
Working on the festival preparations would give her plenty of opportunities to chat and connect.
“Of course!”
“If any friends want to come visit the filming set, bring them along.”
“Oh, sure.”
She didn’t have that many close friends yet.
Still, Seo-yeon nodded first.
Both her agency and the filming staff were all very interested in Seo-yeon’s friends.
“Today, we will start filming Scene 117 first.”
This was the introductory part of the convenience store scene that would frame the highlight.
Cha Seo-ah bursts into the location where Han Ye-hwa was kidnapped, engaging in a fierce fight with Detective Seo Kwang-il.
Seo Kwang-il was a detective with incredible athleticism, having even participated in national competitions.
Naturally, Cha Seo-ah couldn’t take him down easily, and barely managed to knock him out using a soju bottle nearby.
In the meantime, the kidnapped Han Ye-hwa managed to escape.
Now, to catch the escaped Han Ye-hwa, Cha Seo-ah hurriedly chases, leaving the unconscious Seo Kwang-il behind.
However, finding Han Ye-hwa, who had already fled, was a far-fetched task.
Cha Seo-ah stopped her run and entered the convenience store.
To acquire the tool to dispose of the unconscious detective she had left at home.
“……Um, is this okay? What’s this, this might cause trouble for Shin Seong-mi.”
“Oh dear, it’s fine. In fact, leaving a strong image like this at the end is better.”
Kim Dae-heon, playing Detective Im Seung-cheol, said that, while Shin Seong-mi, the convenience store lady, giggled.
She had also felt something along those lines when she read the script.
From a certain perspective, one could argue that it lacked consistency…
But.
‘It’s certainly provocative.’
This seemed like it would be a scene that would be talked about for a long time.
She thought so.
“For this scene not to appear awkward, Seo-yeon, you need to do well.”
“Sure.”
“You have to show everything about Cha Seo-ah.”
The following scene would be the final fight with Detective Im Seung-cheol.
Scene 115.
To immerse viewers in the highlight, the lead-up was crucial.
Scene 114 was that lead-up.
She needed to present Cha Seo-ah as a perfect villain, creating tension that would leave the audience on the edge of their seats.
“……Alright.”
Bae Jin-hwan took a deep breath.
Though filming the highlight came quicker than expected, it was still a scene that would have eventually been shot.
This scene.
The one he had been thinking about since he first took on this film, loomed in his mind.
He observed Seo-yeon, calmly preparing.
Instead of the raincoat outfit Cha Seo-ah wore during her killings, she was dressed in regular clothes.
She wore a hoodie and jeans, casual attire suitable for a convenience store visit.
Silently.
In the noisy filming set made raucous by preparation, Seo-yeon stood alone, quietly.
She appeared serene as she closed her eyes to gather her emotions.
The ‘Hong Jeong-hee’ he had seen on the stage before.
Beyond the intense performance she had shown then, she had to display an even greater act here.
Bae Jin-hwan believed in her.
Surely, she could do it.
Slowly.
Seo-yeon opened her eyes.
Bright lights highlighted her striking red eyes, illuminating the moment.
Shooting for Scene 114 began as the camera caught the figure of Cha Seo-ah walking toward the convenience store.
And so.
Thud.
A heavy step was taken forward.
“……Hah.”
Exhaling deeply, Cha Seo-ah moved her feet slowly.
She was late due to the detective who had broken down the door, but how did he find her house?
If there had been another detective, it might have been a bit dangerous.
“……”
Cha Seo-ah silently observed the pedestrians who looked at her with curiosity.
Their strange gazes.
Now, something she was accustomed to.
Cha Seo-ah thought.
First, she had missed Han Ye-hwa.
So, she had to handle the detective she had knocked out at home first.
She had no desire to be caught just yet.
If the person who witnessed her kidnapping Han Ye-hwa vanished, even if she were caught later, she could be released for lack of evidence.
Ding.
Thinking this, Cha Seo-ah entered the convenience store she was familiar with.
As she stepped inside, the convenience store lady was startled and flustered.
She was the owner of this store and someone Cha Seo-ah knew well.
“Oh my, Seo-ah! What happened to you?”
In response to her words, Cha Seo-ah smiled.
It was a smile she had now perfected.
But the dull-witted lady didn’t find the forced smile strange at all.
“It’s okay. More importantly, can I borrow some tools?”
“Tools?”
The convenience store had the toolbox that Cha Seo-ah had once left behind.
And just as she was about to grab the blue tape meant for dealing with corpses.
“Why is there such a commotion today? That makes it the second time!”
The convenience store lady mumbled to herself while speaking with Cha Seo-ah.
At the same time, Cha Seo-ah’s hand, clutching the blue tape and thick cutter knife, froze.
“The second time?”
“Right! Oh, this is a secret, but there’s a young lady in the stock room! Don’t be surprised; she’s being chased by a murderer!”
At those words, Cha Seo-ah’s gaze turned towards the convenience store lady.
At that moment, the emotion reflected in Cha Seo-ah’s eyes was probably the clearest emotion she had ever felt in her life.
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