Rebirth: King to Superstar

"ALRIGHT, THAT'S IT! GOOD JOB ONCE AGAIN." the director shouted, announcing the end of the shoot. Joon-won sighed in relief as he once again realized that it was the last scene he had just acted in his first movie. This was a very significant landmark in his road ahead. 

"Joon-won, come here." He heard the director shout and turned to see he was spacing out again like always, and everyone was around the director. 

As he walked there, he heard the director say, "Joon-won, you can't keep spacing out like that. It's ok now because I'm the director here and I know it's your first movie and everything. But out there, no one really cares what number the film is. You should pay more attention to your surroundings. People will grill you alive if it continues like this. Get it?" 

Joon-won nodded and replied, "Don't worry, director.. I'll keep it in my mind." The director nodded and then went on to talk about the scene and that it came out perfect. 

He then turned towards Joon-won and said, "Alright, now that this is out of the way, Joon-won. You are leaving early in the morning, right? I remember the crew booked your tickets this time."

Joon-won nodded and said, "Yes, Director. It's 6 in the morning. I'll be leaving then." 

The director nodded and said to everyone in that group, "Alright then, let's have a small dinner party tonight—my treat to celebrate your first film experience. Everyone should come. It's an order." Making everyone nod.

U-Hyun, on the other hand, covered her hand and simply said, "Wow, the director is giving a party from his pocket instead of using the production money. This is great."

The director clearly heard that as he immediately retorted, "When did I do that? Now all of you change your clothes and take some rest. Do not forget to come tonight." Before walking away with his assistant.

Chea Young looked at everyone as soon as the director walked away and said, "Alright, before tonight's dinner, let's have our lunch together. It's mine and U-Hyun's party."

It seemed like it was the first time she was hearing about it as she jumped back and said to him, "Hey, it's the first time I'm hearing about this." 

Chea Young glanced at her and said, "What, you aren't even willing to give a hard-working, good junior a party as a farewell to make memories about his first shoot? Don't be like that." 

U-Hyun nodded and replied, "Now that you put it like that, sure. Let's have some local delicacies. I know a good restaurant too. Change your dress and be ready, let's go there quickly. I'm hungry just thinking about the food there." As she quickly walked towards the changing room. 

Hea-Jung and Joon-won held back like always as they gave the seniors to change first. Then, both of them sat down, and Hea-Jung asked him, "Joon-won, what are you going to do next? Also, did they pay all the money yet? They only paid you apart at the beginning, if I remember." 

Joon-won nodded and simply replied, "Yes, I got the full amount yesterday night, and I don't know what's next. It's not like directors and companies are lining up for me to act in their films. So I have to go back and ask Do Hwan what's next. He might have a solution." 

The money came in, and it made Joon-won sigh in relief after seeing his final bank balance. It was enough to cover Yun-hee's University expenses. He checked the university's website, and given Yun-hee's scholarship, everything was good.

Hea-Jung nodded as she remained silent for a second before continuing, "You did great in this film. Compared to what you showed back at the stage in university, you are different. But you are still far away from being on that level. On the stage, you were the king and controlled everything, even with the small role. You can't do that on a set yet. I can see you following others' pace but not leading." 

Even though Hea-Jung was very light-hearted and always acted spoiled and stupid, when it came to acting, she was up there with the best at assessing people. She had a sharp eye for talent.

Joon-won nodded as he heard her remarks and simply said, "I know. It will take me. At least a few years to be on that level. If I want to have that level of presence, a few films are nowhere enough." He knew it would be impossible to have him have a similar presence on a movie set. Things were different on the movie set, and he had far less experience on a set. So a few years would still be a bargain. 

"Well, I think you'll eventually get there if you continue at this pace. You'll probably get an audition for a lead role soon after this film releases. So continue your grind." 

Joon-won looked at her and asked, "Forget about me. What about you? How long is your schedule here? Any movies to act next?" 

"I'm probably going to stay another two weeks on this set, and even after that, I have to travel around the country to do interviews and promotions as someone who plays a main role in the movie. But I did submit a few audition tapes, and I will get a word from the films soon. It would be good if I at least got a good response from half of them. Then, I would get to choose my role." 

Glancing at her, he asked, "Just how many films did you send a tape to?"

"I think it was about 10. I have been sending tapes for the last month or so. A few of them asked me to send multiple after seeing my first tape. So that should be a good sign, at least." Hearing her, Joon-won just hummed and remained silent. He knew this girl would get at least a few good responses, given her acting skills. She could be considered a prodigy.

Their conversation died down there as both of them were in their thoughts. After the seniors came out of the set, they also quickly changed into casual clothes. Joon-won got into Hea-Jung's car as they followed U-Hyun's vehicle to a 3-star restaurant in town. There were only a few 3-star restaurants in the small town, and this one, they were going to specialize in local specialties. 

The car eventually came to a stop, and they walked in. Chea Young was at the front with Ham Mun-hee as they went to talk with the receptionist while Hea-Jung was talking with U-hyun about something. The other two remaining actors were also having their conversation, leaving Joon-won alone to look around the place.

"Luckily, they have a large dining room that just got cleared. Come, let's go." Chea Young came back with good news and asked the waiter to lead them. The restaurant was simple and peaceful. Unlike the restaurant he went to with Hea-Jung and the director when he first arrived, those two were fancy, while this one was elegant.

"Joon-won, don't hold back. Order anything you want." Chea Young said loudly as they took their seats. Of Course, Joon-won also didn't hold back as he ordered a series of local dishes.

The group started to dig in, and everyone once again started asking Joon-won questions about his future and what film we wanted to act in next. Joon-won naturally answered everyone's question. He didn't have any specific movie type he wanted to act in, and he also didn't have the privilege of choosing anyway.

Eventually, a few questions became about his personal details but Joon-won, who was a very private person, just briefly answered them before quickly changing to another question. 

After an entire hourall of them walked out with their stomachs full. U-Hyun looked at all of them and said, "You guys need to get some space in those stomachs before dinner. If the director gets to know we ate too much now and won't eat then, he would go mad." 

Chea Young nodded and said, "Alright then, everyone. Let's meet tonight. It looks like the director is also taking us to a 3-star restaurant tonight." Showing the message on his phone. Everyone nodded and went into their cars. The rest of the vehicles went in one direction as theirs went to another, with his hotel being in the opposite direction. 

Dropping him off, Hea-Jung also went away, and Joon-won went to his room. He layed on the bed as he took out his phone before dialing Min-Seok's number. He wanted to know how their preparation was going on. Both of them were going to stay at his flat until Min-Seok went back. Joon-won was also planning on going to a store to buy a few mattresses to sleep on. His bed was too small for all three of them.

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