Beautiful Top Star Chapter 6

Chp 6: Overwhelming gaze

TL: Pineapple

Editor: Isalee

"Director! Did you really choose Kang Woo Hyuk?"

a.s.sistant Director Park Yong Goo asked Director Choi He Rak.

He asked the a.s.sistant director, "You don't know Kang Woo Hyuk?"

"Of course I know him. That's why I asked you. You also know him well, that's why I asked you. Kang Woo Hyuk won't be able to do this role."

"I know. He can't play this role."

The a.s.sistant director thought, Then why did you choose him? "Don't worry, I'm not actually going to let him do it."

The a.s.sistant director was now relieved.

"Min Hwan said that Kang Woo Hyuk is coming now. Should we call him and say that he doesn't need to come?"

"No need. When he arrives just prepare to film right away."

What is he talking about?

He said that he isn't going to let him act, but why do we have to be ready for him?
"We're just going to film." Director Choi explained.

The a.s.sistant director still didn't understand.

Just film? Isn't better not to film?

"I asked Sul Min Hwan for a recommendation. He recommended Kang Woo Hyuk who is suited for this role. I expressed my discontent but he told me to give him just one more chance, so I can't refuse him. Sul Min is our main character. We had a hard time getting him to be the main lead. It's the beginning of the film, so we need to keep him happy."

"I know what you mean, but who's gonna be the torture specialist?…"

"Here!"

Director Choi pa.s.sed the list to the a.s.sistant director.

There were three actors names on the list.

a.s.sistant Director Park nodded.

If it's these people then it's fine. Although, it's not as good as actor Jang Il Gong, who was in the originally line-up.

a.s.sistant Director Park was still thinking about Jang Il Gong who couldn't make it.

He carefully opened his mouth.

"Why don't you try adjusting to Jang Il Gong's schedule?"

"Don't say that b.a.s.t.a.r.d's name in front of me!" Director Choi angrily said.

He was not a person who got angry for no reason, but this time he was really stressed out which was not normal.

"You should call them. I'll choose one of the three that is able to make it in the afternoon."

Director Choi frowned.

a.s.sistant Director Park was angry like Director Choi because Director Choi was someone whom a.s.sistant Director Park deeply respected. He was also the head director so he had to do what he was told. Yet the three actors weren't readily available because of their own schedules or even if they didn't have a schedule, they'd still have to consult with their agencies.

No matter how you looked at it, this was too much.

"I think asking them to come in the afternoon is unrealistic."

a.s.sistant Director Park tried to convince him otherwise.

If it was any other director, they would have fled into a rage but Director Choi wasn't like that.

He was a director who listened to his a.s.sistant director's opinions.

Director Choi also knew that he was asking for the impossible.

They absolutely had to shoot this scene today, so it was best for them to do as much as they could.

"If we can't schedule them today, then we have no choice but to do it another day."

"I understand. I'll do my best to persuade them to come this afternoon. But Director Choi! If we get another actor besides Kang Woo Hyuk, won't Sul Min Hwan get angry?"

"Just watch his expression. If we show him the film after shoot, then he won't be able to say anything. Do you think he'll be able to play that role with that kind face of his?"

"Of course not."

"If we show him the results, Sul Min Hwan will agree. We talked about this earlier."

"If Jang Il Gong could've made it then we wouldn't have this problem."

"I told you to not talk about him in front of me!"

"I'm sorry."

"Even if I'm not a director, I will never work with him again."

Director Choi exploded in anger just by thinking of that.

Everything was ruined because of Jang Il Gong.

His manager called saying that he couldn't make it because he was ill and Director Choi went crazy after hearing that.

Because of Jang Il Gong, we left early in the morning to head to this mountain village, but he couldn't even make it because he was sent to the hospital.

You were sent to the hospital emergency room? What a load of dog s.h.i.t.

Director Choi knew that he drank a lot of alcohol last night in a room salon.

He would have felt better if he had called him last night to say that he wouldn't be able to make it.

When Director Choi talked to him last night, Jang Il Gong told him not to worry about it.

He was under a lot of pressure because they didn't have enough funding. So if they didn't film for even one day, then they'd be in a financial mess because of all the extras they'd have to pay and the equipment fees.

They were in this mess because Jang Il Gong told them that his only free day was today, so they completely cleared the day just for him.

After speaking to Jang Il Gong's manager, he was extremely angry. So he asked Sul Min Hwan who was standing next to him and asked him for a recommendation for an actor that could come.

"I do have a recommendation but I don't know if he can come. Should I give him a call?"

"Who is it?"

"It's Kang Woo Hyuk."

"Kang Woo Hyuk is fine."

"Okay, I'll ask him if he has time."
"Okay!"

It was a mistake.

He confused him for Song Joon Hyuk.

Since he was angry at Jang Il Gong, his brain wasn't working straight.

He realized who Sul Min was talking about right after he finished calling Woo Hyuk.

"Woo Hyuk said that he has time today. He'll be here by ten."
"Woo Hyuk? Kang Woo Hyuk?"

"Yes."

"It's not Song Joon Hyuk, from your agency?"

"Song Joon Hyuk sunbae is in Russia right now filming a movie."

"I heard Song Joon Hyuk instead of Kang Woo Hyuk."
"I definitely said Kang Woo Hyuk."

"I'm not saying that you said anything wrong. Ah, this is a problem."

"You don't like Kang Woo Hyuk?"
"It's not that I don't like him, it's just that I don't think he's suited for this role. His face is too kind-looking. A torture specialist is a crazy guy. He needs to have a threatening glare, like he's about to eat the camera. He also needs to have some martial arts skills. Is he good at action?"

"Didn't you say that you can use the stuntman for action?"

Director Choi wanted to give an excuse for not casting Woo Hyuk, and that's why he brought up action.

"Yeah, we're going to use a stuntman, but what I mean is that it would be good if he's good at action. Anyway, Kang Woo Hyuk's face is too kind."

"But if he's able to pull of a cruel expression with that face of his, won't it leave a bigger impression?"

Who doesn't know that? It's just that Kang Woo Hyuk's acting isn't that great. Especially since his eyes don't have as much depth.

"If Director doesn't like him, then there's nothing we can do. Can you please give him one chance though? He has less luck than me, but I know that he'll be more famous than me in the near future."

"This guy…"

He gave in. He didn't know Sul Min Hwan cared that much about him.

"Okay, let's do it. Let's just film it first. If it doesn't work, then we'll get another actor."

"… Okay. We'll do as you say."

9:50 AM

They arrived.

Min Hwan, who was waiting for him, enthusiastically greeted Woo Hyuk.

"Okay, we need to start filming, so please get ready."

Director Choi hurried them.

The staff moved about busily.

Min Hwan was disappointed because Director Choi didn't give them time to practice a bit before shooting.

They had to practice the script while Woo Hyuk was putting on makeup. While Woo Hyuk was changing into his costume, they exchanged ideas on how Woo Hyuk would portray his expression.

"Are you guys finished yet?"

The youngest director hurried them.

"They're too much. They should've given us time to practice. Wait here. I'll go speak to the director."

When Min Hwan was about to leave, Woo Hyuk grabbed his arm.

"Let's just do it."

"Are you okay?"

"An actor should follow the director's orders. Let's do it."

"I feel bad asking you to do this. If I'd known they would treat you like this, I wouldn't have asked you to come."

"Don't worry about it."
"Woo Hyuk hit his shoulder and they went outside.

Director Choi approached a.s.sistant Director Park while he was on the phone.

a.s.sistant Director Park finished his call.

"Are they coming?"

"Two of them already have a schedule, but I haven't spoken to the last one yet. I'm about to call his manager."

"Alright. Keep calling them. If you manage to talk to them, tell me the result."

"Yes sir."

Usually, a.s.sistant Director Park managed the staff, yelling "action" and "cut" to the actors. This time however, Director Choi told the second director to do it.

Director Choi wasn't wearing the headphones and just looked in front of the monitor.

"If you're ready, get started!"
Director Choi ordered the second director with the megaphone.

The youngest director shouted, "Are you ready? We're starting the shoot."

Min Hwan and Woo Hyuk readied their postures.

After that, the second director shouted, "Standby. Action!"

He said that abruptly, but as soon as he yelled action, Woo Hyuk's demeanor completely changed.

The youngest director shut the slate.

*Ddak!*

Woo Hyuk looked at Min Hwan with an expression filled with mockery and contempt like he was about to cruelly blend him in a blender and drink him up.

Min Hwan was pressured by his eyes.

Director Choi leaned back into his chair and lazily stared into the monitor with no expression.

Gradually, he sat up straight in his chair put on his headphones.

"Beautiful! Very beautiful! This scar, I gave it to you right?"

Woo Hyuk spoke in a dry tone of voice.

"That's right you son of a b.i.t.c.h!…Sorry. I'll do it again."

MIn Hwan did a NG. [1]  MIn Hwan who usually doesn't make any mistakes, NG'd twice in a row.

Director Choi was staring intently at the monitor and he felt like he was going to get sucked into the monitor.

"What is this!?" a.s.sistant Director Park mumbled.

"Director!"
a.s.sistant Director Park approached Director Choi.

"What?"

"I just called him, but he said he would call back after he talks to his agency."

"He's acting like he's expensive s.h.i.t. Tell him to not call back!"

"What?"

"Tell him he's not needed."

a.s.sistant Director Park gave a confused expression.

"Did you see Kang Woo Hyuk's acting?"

"I couldn't see because I was calling."

"Look at this."

He pointed at the monitor.

"How is he?"

"He's killer."

"Do you think that fellow will do better than Kang Woo Hyuk?"

a.s.sistant Park spoke on his phone instead of answering.

"Oh yes, this is a.s.sistant Director Park. You don't need to come. Yes, yes…"

Translator's Notes:

[1] NG: Stands for No Good. Usually used in scenes where actors make mistakes or if the scene isn't good.

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