Superstar From Age 0

Chapter 736

Clang!

A black sword and a green rod clashed, making a sound.

It was a small sound, as the two objects were just props. Later, a huge sound effect would be added in the editing process. But even with such a small sound, there was a force that filled the spacious filming set.

Actor Seo-jun Lee and stuntman Jae Yeon Kim.

The two people who once acted together as ‘Jin Natra’ were now fighting fiercely as enemies.

Wow…

The staff, who were used to seeing action scenes while filming a superhero movie, couldn’t help but hold their breaths and admire the situation.

“…It’s amazing, even though it’s just acting.”

“It’s because they have good chemistry.”

“I’m sure the same action would look less powerful or speedy if done by other people. Oh! Did you see that?!”

People who knew them better could see them better.

Philip Yoon and the martial arts director looked at the action scenes of the actor and the stuntman more analytically. Of course, they didn’t forget to express their admiration from time to time.

For the CG work, Jae Yeon Kim, who was wearing a tight-fitting suit with sensors attached, moved quickly and swung the green rod (which would turn into a tentacle in the movie) with his right hand.

Swish-!

As Seo-jun dodged the green rod by bending his body, the black cloak that was hanging on his shoulder also shook gracefully and settled down neatly.

“…A cloak shouldn’t move like that…”

A staff from the costume team muttered without realizing it.

The long and wide cloak that was only hanging on the shoulder clasp must have been very uncomfortable, but Seo-jun Lee moved as if the cloak was part of his body, even in the intense action scene.

They couldn’t help but admire him.

Actor Seo-jun Lee and stuntman Jae Yeon Kim didn’t forget to act with emotions.

Jae Yeon Kim, who played the villain who was completely consumed by the parasitic creature ‘Arodo’, expressed a mixture of rage and survival instinct, as if the life form still had some remnants of ‘Jeff McKay’s’ consciousness.

And Seo-jun Lee acted as ‘Night Jin’, who was trying his best to stop ‘Arodo’ from splitting before it was too late. He also showed his desire to save ‘Jeff McKay’, who was devoured by ‘Arodo’, if possible.

Bang!!

‘Night Jin’s’ hesitation gave ‘Arodo’ a chance to land a solid hit. The wire that was attached to Seo-jun pulled him slightly back at the right timing.

As if he was hit by the attack, Seo-jun flew back and the camera captured his figure. Jonathan, the director, said with a regretful voice.

“It would have been awesome if we could film it in one long take… Too bad.”

A long take, filming without interruption.

It was a filming technique that enhanced the sense of realism, and was often used to depict cool combat scenes in noir-like movies.

Of course, it was impossible for [Shadow and Knight].

“We can’t help it. It’s impossible to show the scenes where the tentacles multiply or the shadows move to block the attacks.”

Matthew, the assistant director, said in response to Jonathan’s words.

It was true, but it was still regrettable.

Jonathan, the director, licked his lips and shouted ‘Cut! Okay!’.

But there was a good point about the current filming, where he had to shout cut in short intervals.

“I think we can move a little faster, martial arts director.”

“Then how about adding a rolling action?”

“Instead of that, how about adding another scene where he slashes down from above…”

They could improvise new action scenes on the spot.

The actor, who was very sensitive about safety, actively participated, so the martial arts director and the stuntmen were also excited to share their opinions. If the actor couldn’t do it, the stuntman (Philip Yoon) could do it instead.

“Safety first…!”

There was a manager who cared more about the actor than the actor himself, with his eyes wide open.

During the break and meeting time, the actor, the martial arts director, Jae Yeon Kim and Philip Yoon gathered together. 

And around them, the manager Tae Woo Choi was circling and shouting ‘Safety first!’.

Jonathan, the director, thought as he watched them.

If Da Ho Ahn, the manager, made him feel pressured by just looking quietly, Tae Woo Choi, the manager, was the type who actively intervened.

“Yes. I’ll be careful when filming. Tae Woo hyung.”

He was a superstar who answered well, no matter what style.

“Then shall we do a spin in the air?”

“/Seo-jun!?/”

He seemed to answer well, but only that.

That’s how the break and meeting time ended, and the filming started again.

“Ready, action!”

Crack! Crack!!

A different, more intense sound was heard.

Jae Yeon Kim grabbed two ropes with both hands and slammed them on the floor. 

The two ropes made a loud noise and waved like waves.

‘Arodo’s’ tentacles didn’t just stab like arrows or spears, but also moved like whips and attacked.

Of course, for safety reasons, the ends of the ropes were fixed to the wall. So there was no chance that Seo-jun, who had been pretending to dodge by moving quickly, would get hurt.

There was an actor who was watching Seo-jun and Jae Yeon’s filming. 

It was Kirk Lawrence, the actor who would have only shown up on the last day of filming in the past.

‘Hmm.’

Kirk Lawrence, who came to see Seo-jun’s filming today, thought as he regretted as usual, ‘I could have done that too…’.

He had left all the stunts to the stuntmen until now. It was natural to leave the work to the experts, wasn’t it?

‘But I didn’t expect to have this kind of thought…’

Was this what they called acting ambition?

He thought that acting ambition was something that only special people, like Davis Garrett or Evan Block, or Seo-jun Lee, who were famous for various anecdotes, had. But it seemed that he, who was as ordinary as they come, also had it.

And it happened after more than ten years had passed.

A person’s life was really hard to predict even an inch ahead.

‘And the opportunity too…’

It was unbelievable even when he thought about it again.

If he had acting ambition, he should have realized it sooner, not when he had only one filming left with Seo-jun.

‘Or he should have kept me from knowing it like before…’

But then,

“Mr. McKay!”

Kirk Lawrence lifted his head.

He saw ‘Night Jin’, who was trying to save ‘Jeff McKay’, who was swallowed by ‘Arodo’.

It was just acting, or rather, because it was acting.

Seo-jun Lee, who was on the filming set, shone brightly.

His heart boiled uncontrollably.

He didn’t remember when he had felt such a surge of emotion in his thirty years of life. He felt like he had discovered a new world. Why did he find out so late, he felt resentful, but.

‘I’m glad I found out now.’

He felt relieved first.

Kirk Lawrence looked at the script that he had been holding down with his head. 

Unlike the previous ones that he had analyzed briefly, the script that was filled with dense letters looked unfamiliar to him.

‘One scene.’

It seemed too late, but there was still one scene left.

The scene that he would shoot with Jun, who was shining like that.

‘Let’s do our best for this one scene.’

Kirk Lawrence’s lips closed tightly.

***

“Welcome, Jun.”

“Hello!”

A cozy family home.

Jun smiled and stepped inside as he saw the Smith family greeting him.

Luckily, Jack Smith’s holiday coincided with Jun’s holiday during the peak season, so they had dinner together at the Smith family’s house. Tae-woo left his seat for him and told him to relax.

“How’s the food? Is it okay?”

“Yes. It’s delicious.”

The food that he made himself with the side dishes sent from Korea was fine, but the homemade food that he ate with the Smith family also had a unique atmosphere and taste that he liked. He also packed some food for Tae-woo.

Jun and the Smith family continued their meal while exchanging various stories.

“Jack, you’re doing well in your grades.”

“Hehehe. I’m good at it.”

Jack, who laughed like a villain, made the Smith couple and Jun burst into laughter. Jack shrugged his shoulders exaggeratedly and said.

“Since I’m doing well as a batter, they don’t tell me to pitch anymore.”

“Oh, so that’s why you worked harder?”

“That’s part of it. And I want to wear the championship ring!”

Jack was passionate about wearing the ring this season. 

The table was noisy with the stories about baseball.

The next topic was Jun’s shooting.

“How’s the shooting going? Is it going well?”

“Yes. It’s going well.”

Jun smiled and answered Maria Park’s question.

“I’m shooting action scenes these days.”

“You do your own stunt scenes, right?”

“Except for the dangerous ones. I try to do as much as I can.”

The Smith family, who knew nothing except for the baseball stadium scene that he cameoed in, talked with excited expressions.

“I wonder what the story is about.”

“Will there be other heroes?”

“I know it’s a secret, but I’m dying of curiosity!”

Jun just smiled without saying anything. Jack narrowed his eyes at him.

“That’s a strangely meaningful expression…”

Oops.

Jun rolled his eyes. His childhood friend seemed to see through him.

But as an actor acquaintance, the Smith family didn’t ask any more.

After dinner, it was dessert time.

The delicious cake that Jun brought and the cookies that he made himself were placed on the plate. 

They chose the drinks they wanted and sat on the soft sofa to chat.

“So, are you going back to Korea right after the shooting?”

Jun shook his head at Eric Smith’s question.

“I’m not going right away, I’m going to rest for a few days. Anyway, I’m listening to the lectures online and taking the exams online, so I don’t need to go back right away.”

Jun grinned and said.

“The problem is that I miss my mom and dad.”

“Eun-hye and Min-joon would be happy to hear that.”

Maria Park said with a smile.

“Then what are you going to do on your days off?”

“Well, Bluemoon is on tour in the US, so I’m going to see that.”

“Bluemoon, you mean the idol group from your company?”

Jun nodded at Jack’s question.

“They’re having a concert in LA, so I’m going. Oh, if you need tickets, I’ll get them for you. There are VIP seats, so there’s no problem.”

“I can’t go because of the game.”

“I know. I was asking your dad and mom, not you.”

Jun laughed and said, and Jack reacted with a huh?

And after a brief silence, Jun and Jack bickered like children. Well, they were both bigger in size than in age.

The Smith couple smiled and opened their mouths at the familiar sight.

“It’s dusty.”

“Sit down quietly, Jack Smith. Lee Jun.”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

The Smith couple called them by their full names, and the major leaguer and the superstar sat down on the sofa obediently and ate their drinks and desserts. 

Of course, they didn’t forget to fight with each other’s feet under the table.

As always, the Smith couple eventually burst into laughter.

***

Time passed, and it was the end of May.

Jonathan Will, the director, looked at the monitor quietly.

He should have given the cut sign by now, but the actors and staff waited patiently, understanding Jonathan Will’s feelings.

Today, Jonathan Will’s first commercial film, the first film he participated in as a film staff, and the sequel to the [Shadowman Series] that he received from his uncle, Ryan Will, whom he had spent a long time with and respected, [Shadow & Knight], was over.

‘No.’

Jonathan Will, who was engulfed in various emotions, smiled. He met Jun’s eyes, who was wearing a hero suit. Jun’s eyes widened as if he guessed Jonathan’s mind.

‘It’s not over.’

The story of the new hero, Knight Jin, was just beginning.

“…Cut! Okay!!”

So Jonathan Will’s voice, who shouted okay, was full of strength.

“Thank you all for your hard work!”

That’s how the shooting of [Shadow & Knight] ended.