141 - I Unknowingly Rejected My Favorite

EP.141 #141. The Noodles Got Soggy Having received my makeup at the shop from the crack of dawn, I stepped out of the car with a nervous heart. “Taemin, just do it as you practiced,” my manager said, chuckling as he massaged my stiff shoulders upon seeing how tense I was. “Wow, this is...” I felt overwhelmed from the moment I stepped onto the set. It was a stark contrast, making me newly appreciate how low-budget my previous web drama had been. The bustling staff moved about with precision. Even at a glance, there were dozens of people working seamlessly from early in the morning to prepare. “Let’s go make some introductions.” My manager took me around the set, introducing me as we made the rounds. Camera director, lighting director, scriptwriter, sound team, and so on. While I couldn’t memorize all their faces, I bowed until my back could hardly take it, earning their recognition. Meeting the actors raised my anxiety another notch. “Ah... hello. I'm Han Taemin, and I'll be playing the role of Baek Kyungho.” “Ah! Nice to meet you, son!” The senior actor with graying hair playfully greeted me. He was to play my father in this production. “Looking forward to working with you.” “Yes, let’s have fun filming together.” Next, I introduced myself to Han Seong-na, who played my younger sister. “Yes! Hello~ You’re Han Taemin, right?” She knew me? I nodded, somewhat dumbfounded, knowing she was a renowned actress. “Do you... know me?” “Oh, yes! I saw an interview you did on that NewTube channel.” I realized that video was indeed remarkable for even seasoned actors to have watched it. “When I saw our lineup, I thought, ‘Oh, he’s joining us too.’” “I see.” “I have to go for a wardrobe check, so let’s talk more later!” With that, she moved elsewhere. I stood in a corner, quietly awaiting the start of the shoot. Once everyone was ready, the filming officially began. The first episode primarily focused on introducing the main cast, so my scenes were limited. In a 50-minute episode, I’d probably appear for about 5 minutes. And finally. After 3 hours of waiting in patience. The scene in which I appeared was called up. Dressed in a classy suit and tie, I looked every bit like a spoiled chaebol's son to anyone who saw me. Joining me in this scene were Baek Kyungho’s brother, Baek Kyungmin, and the male lead, Shin Hoyeon. “Action!” At the director's signal, we walked side by side. “Baek Kyungho, don’t you dare upset Dad again today.” “Hyung, that’s the problem. No matter how he's our father, how long are you going to keep bowing your head, huh?” The lines I had rehearsed dozens, hundreds of times flowed from my mouth. “Don’t you remember? Not long ago, because of your nonsense, Mom, me, and even my wife were dragged in to get scolded. After all that, you’re still saying things like that?” The difference in professionalism was palpable. I was in awe, even while acting, because he delivered the lines with the exact feeling I had imagined while reading the script. “Ah... sorry, I apologized for that last time too, didn’t I? Do you have to remember everything so narrowly?” As I tapped him on the shoulder and turned the corner, Shin Hoyeon, the male lead, was waiting for us. “...It’s been a while.” Though his mouth smiled, his eyes showed no trace of welcoming. I was supposed to respond here... The lines... umm...? “Cut!” The moment I heard “cut,” I instantly bowed my head. “I’m sorry!” The response on set was cold. No one acknowledged my apology, and the director only suggested we go again. “Don’t be too tense, Taemin.” The actor playing my brother gently patted my shoulder. “Just stay calm.” “...Thank you.” Maybe it's because I’m new, but getting words of encouragement was comforting. Not wanting to repeat the same mistake, I quickly organized the lines in my head again. After the corner, when he says long time no see, I cheekily reply with, “Well, look who it is.” Then comment on how studying abroad suits him. Got it. When the cue sign came again, I repeated my previous performance. “...It’s been a while.” The part I had fumbled over returned. “Well, look who it is?” I raised one eyebrow as if to greet him. “Studying abroad seems to have done you wonders, Hoyeon?” “Oh, but I prefer being in Korea.” “Hey, but overseas is way better. The air is just ah...” Oh, it wasn't supposed to be 'way better'; it’s just supposed to be 'the air itself is different.' As soon as I realized my mistake, I froze, and the director called for another stop. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” The director, with an indifferent look, called my name over the megaphone. “Han Taemin.” I gulped. “Focus.” Those words held more fear than any curse or scolding. “Yes, I’m sorry!” Even though it wasn’t a particularly difficult scene, I fumbled once more, but managed to finally get it right on the fourth take. As soon as my scene wrapped, my manager rushed towards me. He looked unfamiliar. “Taemin, you did well.” He handed me a warm canned coffee. “I’m sorry...” Ah, the pressure felt truly different. The massive cameras followed my every move, and so many eyes were watching me. I struggled to keep my mind from going blank, desperately clinging to my composure. "Even if you mix up your lines a bit, as long as you keep the context right, sometimes it’s better to keep acting. Some directors will just let it slide if it flows naturally, you know?" "Yeah..." "You’ll do better tomorrow. Make sure to really study the script." The drive home felt like pure gloom. Even though my manager reassured me that most newbies make similar mistakes, it didn’t offer much comfort. As I got out of the car, I paused in front of Doa’s apartment building but then turned towards my own home. I wanted to see Doa, but I didn’t want her to see me like this. Being a whiny boyfriend who couldn’t do his job properly wasn’t appealing to me. That kind of partner was something even I found disappointing. A medium where I could hide my emotions. Text. [I’m home now!] I pulled out my phone and sent Doa a message. [What? But why didn’t you call me?] [Oh, I had a lot to discuss with my manager.] [Aha. How was it? Did you do well?] I tried to lie boldly. [Yeah, it was fine. Just okay.] [That's a relief, haha. Did you meet the other actors too?] Doa was curious about the atmosphere on set and asked me about various things. Omitting how I got scolded, I dutifully answered all her questions. [We're doing that VR World content you love today, are you going to watch?] I wanted to see it. I really, really wanted to. If it were any other game, maybe not, but VR World content was something I genuinely wanted to watch. Yet, I didn’t have a choice. [I probably can’t see it all.] After how today went, I couldn’t afford to make the same mistakes tomorrow. The practice I thought was enough seemed far from it. I needed to memorize more lines. [Really? I even updated my avatar... sigh... Well, watch the full version later when you’re on a break!] [Got it! haha] [I have to head into a meeting about my solo concert now, so I’ll text you later!] [Okay~ Do well!] Her reply was a heart-hugging puppy emoji. Talking with Doa seemed to lift some of the gloom I felt. "Whew... Alright... Tomorrow, I won't mess up." The awkward silence when I mess up was intense, and if this kept happening, I’d probably lose my sanity. Even thinking about it now gave me chills. I didn’t want to waste time preparing a separate meal, so I boiled water in a pot and opened a pack of instant noodles. With chopsticks in hand, I practiced my lines for the scenes I’d shoot tomorrow. "I'll have a good talk with Hoyeon." "Ugh! Dad even discussed that before. Why does he keep bringing it up?" "Call the legal team. Have Manager Kim here by 7." "Do it! Just do it! I mean, if you can’t even do that, why are you getting paid in the first place?!" I got so into the angry scene, I tossed my chopsticks aside with a chuckle. Oh, I might actually be getting the hang of this? I think I’m finally nailing the angry delivery? The brief moment of satisfaction was short-lived. When I turned, I let out a deep sigh. ...The noodles got soggy. Maybe it was just one of those days where nothing went right.