Aura of a Genius Actor

Chapter 81: First NG (No Good Take)

First NG (No Good Take)

Yoomyeong felt strangely good today.

Where did that guy go? 

Miho was nowhere to be seen since Yoomyeong came back from the night shoot the day before yesterday, and he hadnt returned all of yesterday either. Although the spirit fox was normally elusive, Miho usually slept beside Yoomyeong, so his absence felt oddly empty.

Stretching after a long yawn, Yoomyeong looked out the small window of his hotel room. The morning view of the unfamiliar cityscape unfolded before him. The hotel, which was more of a motel, had a lopsided bed and wasnt exactly comfortable. However, he felt surprisingly refreshed.

It was as if he took a bath using energy drinks. 

Knock knock

There was a knock at the door. It was probably Hansung from the next room.

Good morning, Hyung.

Its not really good. Ugh, the bed was so squeaky. How about you?

It was great! I slept like a log! 

I guess its really different when youre young, huh? 

They went to a nearby diner for a hearty breakfast.

Your big scene is coming up soon, right?

Yeah, there are two days left.

Is today your last day as an extra?

Yes. Ill take tomorrow off to get my character and lines down. Youve been in top form lately, hyung. Im worried about keeping up in our confrontation scene.

Hansung chuckled at Yoomyeongs words.

Dont worry about it. We practice together every day, so I know your moves. 

Its true. Youve gotten even better since we started the main shoot.

Yoomyeong sincerely thought Hansungs acting had improved significantly. Since moving, Hansung, who had lightened considerably, overcame his problems swiftly. 

The down-to-earth actor transformed into an elegant and sophisticated figure when portraying Jeong Mong-Ju, fitting the title of a top diplomat of his time perfectly.

Whats your scene today?

The clan council.

Ah, right. Thats the big crowd scene.

After a major victory at Hwangsan, Lee Seong-Gye visited the Lee clan in Jeonju. 

Jeong Mong-Ju, who accompanied him as an official, realized Lee Seong-Gyes true intentions at the clan meeting.

Lee Seong-Gye sang Liu Bangs Song of the Mighty Wind in front of his clan members, a song that subtly hinted at the declining Goryeo dynasty.

Jeong Mong-Ju realized that this was an indication of Lee Seong-Gyes ambitious character. 

Jeong Mong-Ju, catching onto Lee Seong-Gyes ambitious nature for the first time, was to ride to the Mangyongdae Fortress on Mt. Goduk and recite a patriotic poem lamenting the fall of the nation. This was the schedule for todays shoot.

Looks like youll be riding a horse today.

Yeah Im still not comfortable with horses.

Good luck!

The air felt fresh, and Yoomyeongs condition was excellent. 

He somehow felt that todays shoot would go exceptionally well.

However, today was the day when Yoomyeong would experience his first NG during the shoot.

*

Lets rehearse the clan council scene. If youre ready, please gather this way~ 

The hard-working makeup team was handling the makeup of dozens simultaneously. Yoomyeong, who was now quite friendly with the junior makeup artist, got his face done and then headed to the designated spot.

There was a large pavilion with a sign reading Omokdae, with a massive table full of dishes set up that were meant to represent Lee Seong-Gyes main table. 

Underneath the pavilion, people dressed in white outer hanbok (a white robe worn during the Goryeo period) and Munrageon (a headgear from the Goryeo period) were gathered in large numbers to depict the clans assembly.

Yoomyeong blended in among them.

While Lee Seong-Gye and the clan elders have their dialogue, the rest of you will naturally be part of the background. Lets start practicing the scene where everyone bows down as Lee Seong-Gye arrives. 

Yes, they responded.

After they climbed up the stairs and sat in their assigned positions, the rehearsal began. 

The director corrected the extras movements, then detailed the dialogue between the clan elder actor and actor Bae Geohyeong (*playing Lee Seong-Gye). 

Yoomyeong sat quietly in a corner, visible only from the back in the cameras frame. He began to focus intensely, feeling an unusual level of concentration in his body. 

Lets start shooting everyone, stand by and dont move!

The assistant director issued the final instructions and stepped aside. The director, with a raspy voice worn from fatigue, peered into the monitor and shouted.

3, 2, 1. Action!

Director Son watched the screen with eyes weary from lack of sleep. He had been restless for days, often waking up to revise lines for the next days script.

His relentless drive stemmed from a desire to make this last project his best work yet.

He watched his actors perform on the monitor, a beautiful scene that would no longer be available in just a few months. 

Lee Seong-Gye, clad in a white Baekjepo, recited a bold Sijo (*a Korean traditional poetic form that emerged during the Goryeo Dynasty) in front of the gathered crowd. It was Liu Bangs <Song of the Mighty Wind>. 

Ah! A great wind blows and the clouds scatter. 

Mighty and triumphant, back to my homeland I return. 

How shall I find brave men to guard the four corners of the nation? 

Bae Geohyeong was truly the perfect actor for Lee Seong-Gye. His solid build, deep voice that resonated through the air, and the slight droop in his eyebrows conveyed both boldness and a tender-hearted nature.

As the director, moved by Geohyeongs resonant voice, smiled at the monitor, he suddenly felt a shift in the screens balance.

Hmm?

The current frame had Lee Seong-Gye in the upper left, with the bowed heads of the clan members in the lower right. 

The diagonal composition symbolized the left and top as rebellion and ascension, respectively. Despite being a one against many setup, the focus was clearly on Lee Seong-Gye.

But now, a figure hunched in a corner caught his attention. 

The intense aura emanating from this person seemed like they could leap up and strike Lee Seong-Gye at any moment.

I wasnt planning for this to happen Who is that?

NG! Hold on, please.

As the NG was called, the extras lifted their heads. NGs were common in such scenes, so no one seemed particularly bothered.

Then, the director saw the face of the person he had been observing.

No way!

He was astonished. 

It was the face of the rookie actor who had asked permission to practice projecting his presence, which he generously agreed to.

But he also hadnt expected such a drastic change. 

*

Lets go again-

Just one more time-

After two more NGs, the director announced a break. He then called the cinematographer to review that segment.

Whats bothering you?

Doesnt the screens balance tilt at this part?

Hmm It does feel off. It was fine during the rehearsal, so why did it change in the main shoot? Should we redesign the frame?

While the cinematographer agreed, he didnt seem sensitive enough to pinpoint any specific person as the issue. The director pondered for a moment and then called the production manager.

Are any young male extras not in this scene?

Yes. One is getting makeup for the next scene.

Lets switch him with Shin Yoomyeong.

The production manager looked puzzled but nodded in agreement. After all, the directors command was law on the set.

Fortunately, Shin Yoomyeongs spot wasnt visible on camera, so the actor being prepped for the next scene wouldnt stand out. With that calculation, he hurried off.

Actor Shin-

Yes, Director.

Could you come here for a moment?

Yoomyeong, who was seated in the pavilion, came down to face the director.

The director also called Hansung, who was waiting for the next scene.

Actor Yoon, come over here, please.

Yes, Director. Did you call me?

Cinematographer, could you film these two together with the secondary camera?

The cinematographer turned on the secondary camera and positioned it between the two actors.

Lets shoot a waist-up shot. Can you perform Scene 98, the act you performed the day we first met?

Sure. 

Okay.

They didnt understand the sudden change in plans but complied with the directors instruction without question. They didnt need to refer to the script; all the lines were etched in their minds.

Ding 

The red light on the cinematographers camera came on, and he gestured that they could start whenever they were ready. Hansung cleared his throat briefly and then began his lines from Scene 98.

Yudeok (*Lee Bang-wons name), what is needed to create a nation for the people is a system. 

The directors gaze was fixed solely on Yoomyeong as if trying to see through him as the long dialogue of Jeong Mong-Ju continued.

Really

The actor had changed.

Although he listened quietly to his counterparts words, his expression made one wonder what he was thinking. 

There was a powerful aura hidden beneath that serene face.

Director Sons accumulated fatigue seemed to vanish instantly. 

He had a hunch that the actor before him had made incredible progress and the ideal Lee Bang-won he had dreamed of while writing the script was finally in front of him.

The cinematographer was the first to excitedly exclaim as soon as the scene ended.

The screen presence is fantastic. If it werent for the costumes, Id use this take as it is. 

Despite Jeong Mong-Jus dialogue dominating the scene,

The intense gaze-off between the young, wild actor and the seasoned hero was palpable.

Actor Shin. Thank you.

?

It was really an extra who caused the NG. I thought it was unbelievable.

Director Son smiled contentedly, and Yoomyeong wore a dazed expression. 

It seemed he had achieved something notable.

*

Yoomyeong lay down in bed after enjoying a beer, feeling good. 

He wanted to ask Miho what had happened, but he was still nowhere to be seen. 

In a way, it was reassuring. He had been worried that Miho might have been the reason for his sudden boost in presence.

He could feel it himself that something had changed. 

The month-long stint of acting as an extra and focusing on projecting his presence seemed to have truly paid off.

He lay down in bed, feeling a sense of pride. It seemed he would be able to sleep well tonight. 

Swoosh 

Deep into the midnight, between 1 AM and 3 AM, two suspicious figures settled on the window of Yoomyeongs hotel room. 

They passed through the wall effortlessly and entered the small hotel room, gazing down at the sleeping human.

{Shin Yoomyeong. Its this guy, right?}

{He looks so docile for someone who has troubled the elders of the celestial realm.}

The two silhouettes, illuminated briefly by the moonlight, had fierce faces and a single horn. They were Gwis, goblins serving as minions to the immortals.

{Who among the celestials made this mistake? Can we handle this quietly?} 

{Shh. We just need to do what were told. Dont think too much or youll get a good scolding.}

{Got it.}

They pulled out a small pouch and a bamboo slip.

Unfolding the pouch revealed bright red cinnabar powder, a refined mineral powder often used for drawing talismans and sometimes as a medicine.

One held the bamboo slip while the other carefully applied the red powder to the sleeping Yoomyeongs thumb.

{Press it down.}

Just as one of them was about to press the slip against Yoomyeongs finger,

Wham 

A silver figure sliced through their midst.

Startled by the sudden interruption, one goblin was flung in the opposite direction, while the other barely managed to hold onto the bamboo slip, falling hard. 

{You rascals!!!}

The light quickly morphed into a human form.

And despite not knowing him, they immediately recognized his identity from his noble appearance.

Hiss 

It was Hye-ho, the illegitimate son of the Heavenly Emperor.

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