A large studio in Paju.
The filming site for the [Seven] music video.
This music video shoot mostly took place indoors, but the director intended to create a cool color scheme with artificial lights rather than warm natural light.
Perhaps that’s why the set felt eerily ominous.
“Isn’t it a bit scary?”
Kim Seo-yoon pointed at me and answered.
“Uh, yeah, it’s scary.”
“I didn’t ask you.”
And with the bluish lights reflecting on my face, I looked like a ghost. With my skin so pale you could see the veins, they decided to add some extra white powder, making me look more like a corpse than just white.
It felt like I was using mercury as cosmetics, thinking it would give me a strong whitening effect, just like in medieval times.
“I think you’re a bit too pale…”
“It’s fine! We’ll fix the color correction anyway! Right now, it’s perfect!”
With the surrounding staff and even the director approving it, I guess, well, the makeup artists must know what they’re doing.
What do I know?
“But Do-hee, you really do look sick.”
Seo-yoon Unni and I definitely agreed on this.
“Right?”
That’s what I was saying.
“So from now on, call me a frail beauty.”
Kim Seo-yoon said with a serious face.
“Your mind looks sick.”
This girl was intentionally building it up.
“Your face.”
“Yeah, my face is the frail beauty.”
“Uh, no.”
“Yup, yes it is.”
Sigh…
Every time I deal with Kim Seo-yoon, I turn childish, too.
I’m basically a gentleman but here I am, spoiling her.
What can I do about Seo-yoon… sigh.
Anyway, my pale makeup clearly showed what our music video concept was: distinct and uniform.
From the working title [Thirst], it morphed into the title song [Unsatisfied].
A tale about a thirst that can’t be quenched, one that’s unfulfilled.
Just looking at the first verse, you can tell.
“My eyes are stained red
Poison spreads in my heart
The transparent thirst remains unfilled
I keep searching for that sweetness.”
The melody and beat are refreshing, but the lyrics scream fanatical obsession or a plea that I’m dying.
Maybe that’s why.
“I can’t relate.”
I couldn’t grasp the speaker’s emotions.
Why be obsessed with someone else?
“What do you mean?”
“I said I can’t understand.”
“What are you mumbling about?”
I couldn’t understand Kim Seo-yoon either.
“Hana is doing so well! Your expression is amazing right now!”
Meanwhile, we caught sight of Hana Unni, shooting her personal cut scene.
Surprisingly, her expression acting was quite sharp.
Maybe it’s the kind of obsessive glimmer that comes from practice.
‘Maybe I’ll try acting as something other than just myself.’
In the midst of all this, Seo-yoon Unni tapped my shoulder.
“What?”
“The food truck has arrived. Ready to go?”
“Okay.”
I hurriedly made my way towards the food truck, leaving Hana Unni behind as her shoot was about to finish.
I wasn’t trying to avoid Hana Unni’s insistence on a balanced diet.
“Staff members need to eat right after me.”
It was all about consideration for the staff.
Today’s lunch menu was boiled pork and wraps.
Kim Seo-yoon poked my lunch tray with her chopsticks.
“Aren’t you just piling on the meat?”
“Hey, I’m growing.”
The music video filming day was the one day I could eat without worrying about anything.
Usually, I had to munch on bland salads.
So, it was important to satisfy my hunger while I had the chance.
“When will I finally be free from this diet?”
My weight had gotten quite slim now.
What if my chest doesn’t grow at this rate?
“By the way, did you know that kids have sensitive taste buds and are particularly aware of the bitterness in vegetables? So, it’s totally normal for them to dislike veggies.”
I’m young and sixteen too!
There’s no escaping my salad aversion.
“The real issue here is an adult like you, Hana Unni, who picky eats.”
As soon as I finished my sentence, I felt some presence beside me.
I turned to see Hana Unni, whom we had left behind.
A tray full of vegetables slammed down on the desk.
“So, does that mean I’m old because I like and eat veggies?”
I guess you could say that.
Old hag.
“A little?”
“That was a slip of the tongue.”
“Oh, just don’t put veggies on my tray.”
*
After finishing the group dance scene filming.
The members, having wrapped up greetings with the staff, started gathering their things.
“Do-hee, we’re heading out first~”
Hana Unni waved goodbye.
“Do-hee, take care~”
“Bye~”
Kim Seo-yoon, Jeon Ha-rang.
“Hehe, Do-hee has to film alone now.”
“I can wait…”
“Se-ra, be quiet and follow along.”
Park Ye-eun, Eun Se-ra, Gong Chae-rin.
All the members were leaving the filming set.
“No, but Se-ra Unni is staying behind.”
“Se-ra has an appointment today.”
“What nonsense.”
Ignoring my protests, Chae-rin Unni dragged Se-ra Unni away.
“Do-hee… Unni will always wait for you… boohoo.”
“I thought I could trust Chae-rin Unni.”
“Seriously, how come all our members are so disloyal?”
“Well, you left alone after finishing your solo shoot yesterday~”
Kim Seo-yoon was the last to exit the filming set.
Heartless bunch.
Shouldn’t at least one person stay behind?
“Manager, is this really what a team looks like?”
Oh Hyun-soo, the team leader who stayed behind for me, smiled.
“I like that my kids are cute and harmonious.”
Yeah, right, harmonious.
*
Left alone, I started filming my individual cutscene.
My remaining shoot was a bit special.
It was an underwater shoot.
Outside the studio.
A pool set up by the staff.
The structure was transparent on one side, like an aquarium.
Being made for underwater filming, it was quite deep and roomy.
According to the director, it was meant to depict a dreamy scene of feeling thirst even when submerged in water.
I did it.
What’s more important is that it’s going to turn out pretty.
I was quite tempted by the idea of looking pretty, but still, worries took precedence.
It’s still mid-winter.
Early February.
Of all the times, why a nighttime underwater shoot?
“I’m gonna be freezing.”
Of course, there were heaters prepared, but being in the water would still be just as cold.
“I guess I just have to endure…”
“I’m turning on the lights!”
The staff setting up the lights illuminated the swimming pool.
The surface of the water shone sky-blue, contrasting against the dark, undulating night.
Lights scattered in all directions along the rippling waves.
“Yeah, it’s definitely gonna be pretty.”
And the sparkly glitter stuck to my face for this shoot was also going to reflect and dazzle beautifully with the underwater light patterns.
“Alright, first let’s stretch and then I’ll get in!”
After hearing the precautions, I took a few deep breaths and slowly entered the water.
The pool was as deep as my height.
As my feet touched the bottom, my body shivered.
It wasn’t a fear of water.
I was just damn cold.
“Can you lie down on the bottom once? Yes! Sounds good!”
“Well done!”
“Oh, so pretty!”
The other problem, aside from the cold, was that the staff outside were anxiously showing their concern, which made me chuckle and kept releasing my breath.
“Your eyes are stinging, right? But you still have to keep them open! That’s it!”
“Well done! Do-hee!”
What was the most hilarious was the manager constantly cheering me on from the side, which made me nearly die from laughter.
“Do you want to catch your clothes and let them float? Sounds great!”
Despite the challenging underwater shoot, there was immediate feedback and support from the production staff, so thankfully, the filming proceeded smoothly without delays.
.
.
.
My hair dancing along with the rippling waves.
A lightly fluttering white dress.
Glitter sparkling brilliantly in the light.
My face shimmering according to the wavy light patterns.
“Director, should we take another shot? I really feel like I can do it better this time…”
The more I saw myself on the monitoring screen, the more desire I felt to capture a prettier version of myself.
I began to understand a bit of what obsessive passion feels like.
“…Do-hee, you’re already. Definitely. Very. Pretty. Let’s stop now before you catch a cold.”
“I can still do a bit more…”
The director interrupted me.
“Alright, let’s pack up and call it a night!”
I felt like I could have really looked pretty with just a little more…
Reluctantly, I had to gather my things.
“Thank you for your hard work!”
Of course, greeting the staff was essential.
Just being polite accounts for half of social life.
“But where did my phone go? Manager, have you seen my phone anywhere?”
*
The six members who returned to the dorm first.
Normally, one or two would wait for Do-hee at the shoot, but today there was a cold reason for leaving her behind.
Midnight was just around the corner.
And the date would soon change to February 4th.
February 4th.
It was none other than Do-hee Lee’s birthday.
Today’s the last schedule for the music video shoot, and it just so happens to be Do-hee—this isn’t a coincidence but a well-planned scheme.
This was discussed in advance.
[Oh Hyun-soo Team Leader: Should be there in about 10 minutes]
“Then should we start?”
Chae-rin pressed the button after receiving a text from the manager.
[The youngest is a weirdo bunny! WE Live for the birthday party!]
“They’re slowly coming in.”
“Hello~”
“…Hello!”
-Seha Seha (a playful way to say hello)
-It’s a birthday party!!
-Happy birthday, Do-hee ♡♡♡
-Hahaha, where’s Do-hee? The main character is missing!
-Why the weirdo bunny? Hahaha!
As comments kept pouring in, Jeon Ha-rang began the presentation.
“No need for long words, yes! Today is a surprise party for our youngest, Do-hee! Wheee!”
The camera showed a beautifully decorated living room.
A banner saying “Happy Birthday to our cute youngest Do-hee” and adorned balloons.
“Right now, Do-hee is on her way back from the music video shoot!”
-Then she’ll figure it out from the broadcast, right? Hahaha!
-Wow, she was filming a music video!
-Hahaha! How can it be a surprise party if the broadcast is on?
“Don’t worry. You think she wouldn’t have thought of that? I stole Do-hee’s phone.”
-Hahahahaha, Ha-rang, why did you steal it?
-Your thought process is totally different from ours!
-Are you crazy? Hahaha!
-This is so ridiculous! Hahaha!
While everyone was excited about surprising Do-hee, only Kim Seo-yoon spoke skeptically.
“That girl’s really perceptive… I have a feeling she won’t be fooled.”
Sara chimed in.
“No way! Do-hee is… surprisingly clueless!”
“That’s true, but think about it. Do you really think Do-hee would forget her own birthday?”
The members somewhat agreed with Kim Seo-yoon’s comment.
“Definitely…”
“That’s true.”
“Right.”
“Oh…”
-She might forget her members’ birthdays, but she’d surely circle hers on the calendar. Hahaha!
-Do-you-know Do-hee, Kim Seo-yoon? Whoa!
-Sisterly bond just doesn’t go away, Hahaha!
“Honestly, as soon as she gets home, she’ll probably say, ‘Give me my cake!’”
-Perfect character interpretation! Whoa!
-For real, after hearing Seo-yoon, I’m convinced!
But Jeon Ha-rang didn’t lose her excitement, saying as if she had expected all of this.
“That’s why she stole the phone. Logically, who would forget their birthday when their phone is missing? She’ll probably be so focused on finding her phone that she’d forget it’s her birthday.”
“Sis, wanna bet on who cleans up?”
“Deal.”
Thus, the bet between Jeon Ha-rang and Kim Seo-yoon was concluded.
Before long, the sound of the door lock being pressed was heard.
Do-hee burst through the front door, slamming it open.
With a bang and a ringing voice, she declared.
“Give me my cake!”
-Hahahahahaha, this is unbelievable!
-How can she get a single word wrong? Hahaha!
-This is just too much;;
-Kim Seo-yoon, what’s going on? Whoa!
-So creepy! Hahaha!
“Wow, Do-hee Lee is ruthless, really ruthless.”
“Did you see that, everyone? Do-hee is exactly like this!”
Upon seeing the live broadcast in the living room, Do-hee was bewildered.
Calmly and modestly, she said softly.
“Uh… Oh my?”
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
