NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 124

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 124. Acting with Intent (1)

 

A voice came from behind in response to Yeon-woo’s words.

 

 

 

“It would be better if we filmed with our fighter jet Boramae, but since not even a prototype has been released yet, we brought the T-50B model.”

 

 

 

When Yeon-woo turned around, a military officer wearing major insignia was standing there.

 

 

 

“Hello. I’m actor Ryu Yeon-woo.”

 

 

 

When he greeted politely, the officer saluted crisply and returned the greeting.

 

 

 

“I’m Major Go Chang-kwon from the 239th Special Flight Squadron.”

 

 

 

After hearing the introduction, Yeon-woo nodded and looked at the military uniform, then extended his hand for a handshake.

 

 

 

“Black Eagles. It’s an honor.”

 

 

 

Major Go Chang-kwon was surprised by Yeon-woo’s response and grasped the extended hand.

 

 

 

“Ah, you know about us?”

 

 

 

The Black Eagles are the Air Force’s special aerobatic flying team that specializes in aerobatic flying.

 

They participate in international air shows and are the unit that specializes in air shows like Armed Forces Day events.

 

 

 

Major Go Chang-kwon added to Yeon-woo, who was looking at the fighter jet with sparkling eyes.

 

 

 

“I’ve been informed that you’re permitted to sit in the co-pilot seat within the filming set.”

 

“Hmm, I see.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo nodded with a disappointed expression, having hoped he might actually fly since the storyboard included takeoff scenes.

 

 

 

Even during his long agent career, he had never ridden in a fighter jet, so he had been secretly looking forward to it, but there was no way they would fly with a civilian aboard due to potential safety accidents.

 

 

 

Probably the takeoff scene would be replaced with other flight footage, compositing the background through the chroma key set up behind the aircraft.

 

 

 

‘The T-50B model should be classified as an aerobatic aircraft rather than a fighter jet, but it’s still disappointing.’

 

 

 

Yeon-woo let go of his regret and looked around.

 

 

 

Anyway, what was important today wasn’t the fighter jet but the acting.

 

Then Director Lee Yong-su approached and whispered to Yeon-woo.

 

 

 

“We need to start with the fighter jet filming today, but it looks like we can only do about two takes at most, Yeon-woo.”

 

“Two takes?”

 

 

 

When Yeon-woo questioned back, Director Lee Yong-su shook his head with a troubled expression.

 

 

 

“The advertiser insisted we must include fighter jet scenes, so the Ministry of Defense issued a cooperation request to the Air Force, but they didn’t allocate much time. Well, I wouldn’t know about their internal affairs.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo nodded quietly after hearing the story.

 

 

 

Looking at the storyboard, he thought they would make a full-scale model or process it with CG, but he didn’t expect them to bring an actual fighter jet.

 

 

 

‘Hmm, the advertiser would be Chairman Seo Tae-gwang.’

 

 

 

It seemed there was some subtle power struggle between some military generals and Ihan Group related to the recent defense industry corruption.

 

 

 

‘If it’s just simple filming of boarding the fighter jet, they could have filmed at the Air Force base, so why go through the trouble of bringing it here and setting time limits?’

 

 

 

Anyway, since he had perfectly prepared the scenario for acting, there would be no problem if he finished filming in one take.

 

 

 

“Today’s filming should be interesting.”

 

 

 

 

 

Under Director Lee Yong-su’s command, Yeon-woo walked in wearing a flight suit among the staff who had quickly finished filming preparations.

 

 

 

Seeing Yeon-woo enter wearing an Air Force flight suit with integrated top and bottom, Major Go Chang-kwon approached with a smile.

 

 

 

“You’re the most handsome pilot I’ve ever seen. It’s a bit hot and uncomfortable to move in, isn’t it? Since we brought an actual flight suit…”

 

 

 

Knowing what the major was worried about, Yeon-woo grinned.

 

 

 

“It’s because it’s made of aramid material. It’s fine. I can handle it.”

 

“Oh, you’re well-informed.”

 

 

 

At Major Go’s words, Yeon-woo scratched the back of his head.

 

 

 

“I have a bit of interest in military-related things…”

 

“Is that so? I suspected as much when you recognized the Black Eagles.”

 

 

 

Aramid material is a fiber with bulletproof strength and heat resistance that doesn’t melt even at temperatures close to 500 degrees Celsius.

 

 

 

Major Go Chang-kwon seemed to feel more friendly toward this young actor for being a military enthusiast.

 

 

 

In fact, he wasn’t a military enthusiast but was familiar with it because he had always worn special mission suits made of aramid material during operations.

 

 

 

Then Director Lee Yong-su’s shout was heard.

 

 

 

“Alright, let’s postpone the complex setup scenes and start filming from the modern era.”

 

 

 

There were quite a few scenes to film today.

 

 

 

Actually, if filming in order, they should start with Seo Hee from the Goryeo period and end with the modern Air Force pilot, but since they barely managed to bring the aircraft by matching the aircraft schedule thanks to the Ministry of Defense’s consideration, it was right to film the fighter jet scenes first.

 

 

 

Even aside from that issue, filming in reverse order was an easier method for both Yeon-woo and the makeup team, as the further back in time they went, the more they had to attach beards and the makeup difficulty increased.

 

 

 

‘But I’ll have to control my emotions in reverse.’

 

 

 

Having practiced countless times, he stood in front of the camera with confident steps.

 

 

 

“Then, Major, please board the fighter jet in advance, and we’ll start by coordinating the supporting actors’ movements.”

 

 

 

Major Go Chang-kwon nodded and boarded the fighter jet’s cockpit.

 

 

 

“The filming permit time is quite tight, so let’s try to do it in one take after the rehearsal.”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Let’s go. High cue.”

 

 

 

The movement rehearsal began.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo moved forward wearing his flight suit while holding his helmet.

 

Several supporting actors gathered around Yeon-woo as he walked, checking the condition of his flight suit and holding operation plans while earnestly explaining something until the very end.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo nodded and climbed the ladder connected to the cockpit.

 

 

 

Watching this, Director Lee Yong-su nodded his head.

 

 

 

“Okay. Let’s start the actual filming with this movement. Set up the cameras.”

 

 

 

Hearing the director’s signal to start the actual filming, Yeon-woo came back down the ladder he had been climbing.

 

And then the actual filming began.

 

 

 

The camera director got on the rails and captured Yeon-woo walking out according to the movement.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo walked out with his mouth firmly shut, following the movement they had just rehearsed.

 

His face showed no major emotional changes.

 

 

 

As supporting actors gathered around him to check various matters and dispersed, Yeon-woo’s appearance remained unchanged as he walked forward while staring ahead.

 

 

 

“Hmm…”

 

 

 

Director Lee Yong-su seemed somewhat disappointed, though nothing was particularly wrong.

 

Reading his expression, the assistant director whispered beside him.

 

 

 

“…It seems a bit bland, doesn’t it? Director.”

 

 

 

Hearing this, Director Lee Yong-su, who had been stroking his chin, looked at the assistant director.

 

 

 

“You feel that way too?”

 

“Yes.”

 

 

 

While Director Lee pondered while touching his chin, Yeon-woo had already completed the rather complex movement and climbed into the co-pilot seat.

 

 

 

The canopy closed over him, and the entire process was captured in one take.

 

 

 

“Cut. Ah, it’s not that there’s anything particularly wrong with it.”

 

 

 

Director Lee Yong-su kept tilting his head.

 

 

 

Since actor Ryu Yeon-woo’s recent works had all been successful, there was a natural contrast between the storyboards from the advertising company and the current filming set scene.

 

 

 

Compared to the masterful acting of Seo Hee’s resolute expression in 「Stars Beyond the Stream」, which Director Lee Yong-su had also referenced during the review process, this felt too bland.

 

 

 

Director Lee Yong-su spoke to Yeon-woo as he came down from the cockpit and approached.

 

 

 

“Actor Ryu.”

 

“Yes, Director.”

 

“Everything’s fine, but it feels a bit bland, so I’d like you to do it once more, a bit more like a movie.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo nodded after hearing Director Lee’s words.

 

 

 

‘It seems his interpretation of this advertisement storyboard is different from mine.’

 

 

 

Yeon-woo had somewhat expected this reaction from Director Lee Yong-su.

 

 

 

“Yes, I understand. Director, could I check the scene we just filmed once?”

 

“Ah, of course. Jin-seong, put it up on the monitor.”

 

“Yes, Director.”

 

 

 

When the staff operated the equipment, the scene Yeon-woo had just filmed appeared on the field monitor.

 

Yeon-woo nodded while watching it.

 

 

 

“Yes, I’ve confirmed it. Thank you.”

 

 

 

After responding, Yeon-woo headed back to the starting point of the filming movement.

 

 

 

‘The first take was filmed well as I intended. Still, directing is the director’s job, so I should act again as he wants.’

 

 

 

Since the first filming was deliberately done without putting much emotion into it, he had already achieved his intended purpose.

 

What to use later in the editing process was the director’s domain.

 

 

 

And filming began again.

 

 

 

This time, he walked with a slightly more heroic expression as the director requested.

 

His eyes blazed as if burning with the will to definitely annihilate the enemy before him, and his forceful gait conveyed passion and spirit.

 

 

 

Director Lee Yong-su finally showed a satisfied expression while watching Yeon-woo through the field monitor.

 

 

 

“Yes, this is it. Actor Ryu must not have been fully warmed up. We can just call this an okay cut.”

 

 

 

Indeed, Director Lee Yong-su, who had interpreted the storyboards differently from Yeon-woo, applauded after seeing the second performance.

 

 

 

“Okay. Cut! That was very good, Yeon-woo.”

 

“Is that so.”

 

 

 

At the director’s okay signal, Yeon-woo came down the ladder with an enigmatic smile.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Director Lee Yong-su offered a handshake to Major Go Chang-kwon.

 

 

 

“Thank you so much for cooperating with today’s filming, Major.”

 

“No, sir. I’m just carrying out my orders as instructed. Still, I’m glad I could be of help.”

 

 

 

The staff quickly moved to open the back door of the filming set.

 

 

 

I hadn’t noticed when we came in, but looking at it now, the studio seemed to have been made by converting a hangar.

 

Kim Min-su, who had been waiting in the back, approached with water and asked.

 

 

 

“Wow, actor-nim. How will that airplane get back? There’s no runway, so it can’t fly, and I wonder where they’ll transport it.”

 

“Ah, Wonju Air Force Base is right next door. It just needs to drive a little way down the back road.”

 

 

 

Major Go Chang-kwon answered, having heard Kim Min-su’s question.

 

Hearing that response, Kim Min-su seemed to have a random thought and spoke with a slight smile.

 

 

 

“If there happened to be a traffic accident on the way, the insurance company would be baffled. Imagine filing a claim saying you had a traffic accident with an airplane.”

 

“···Hmm, wouldn’t they ask back if you meant a walker?”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo seriously pondered and responded to Manager Kim Min-su’s nonsense.

 

 

 

Having experienced all sorts of incidents while working on sets, he didn’t dismiss it as mere nonsense despite it being a ridiculous story.

 

 

 

And hearing such an absurd conversation between the actor and manager, Major Go Chang-kwon scratched his head and answered.

 

 

 

“···Ahem, there won’t be any accidents because military vehicles will escort the aircraft front and back.”

 

“Ah, I see.”

 

 

 

Kim Min-su nodded, his curiosity satisfied.

 

 

 

Major Go and the military officials left through the now fully opened hangar doors, and the filming set still had a mountain of schedules left to shoot.

 

 

 

Then Director Lee Yong-su’s voice was heard.

 

 

 

“Alright everyone, let’s prepare for the modern era shooting.”

 

 

 

Filming proceeded at breakneck speed.

 

The modern pilot scenes were finished, but with five remaining plots from Seo Hee to the child soldier, everyone was working prepared for an all-night shoot.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

In the center of the filming set after the military officials had left, staff whispered among themselves while watching Ryu Yeon-woo who had just finished his Independence Army acting.

 

 

 

“···Whew, did you see that acting just now?”

 

“For a moment I thought we were actually on the Manchurian Plains.”

 

 

 

A lighting team staff member, who had been rubbing his goosebump-covered arms while watching the actor pour out an incredible performance, opened his mouth while looking at Ryu Yeon-woo’s retreating figure entering the makeup room to prepare for the next scene.

 

 

 

“Maybe we could finish before dinner today…?”

 

 

 

At the hopeful staff member’s words, another staff member adjusting lighting positions nearby shook his head.

 

 

 

“That’s wishful thinking. We have six sets today, don’t we?”

 

“But he’s already devoured two sets. We haven’t even had lunch yet.”

 

“Devoured what, is this a Bulgogi Burger Set? Look at the remaining sets – unless Ryu Yeon-woo finishes every scene in one take, just the setup alone will take a long time.”

 

“Hmm, I suppose so.”

 

 

 

Whether he knew about the staff’s desire for an early departure or not, Yeon-woo, who had entered the makeup room, was now transforming into a child soldier from the Korean War.

 

 

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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