Superstar From Age 0

Chapter 280

The drama department of MBS was busy with preparations.

Kim Jinmyung, the CP who replaced Park Gyumin, started the shooting of the thriller Tomorrow. 

The actors and staff were puzzled by the sudden change of direction, but they had no choice but to do their jobs in the tight schedule.

The director and other CPs were happy with the increased length of six episodes and tried to find the best time slot for the broadcast.

Lets put Jinmyungs work on Monday and Heechans work on Tuesday.

Then Monday will end two weeks earlier Should we air episode 5 and 6 in the last week?

The director frowned at that suggestion.

Seo-juns appearance will be a hot topic for a whole week with just one episode. If we do that, we will lose a week of buzz. Its better to air one episode per week.

Then it might be a good idea to fill Monday with a special program or a making film.

Or we could find another PD to join

The director and CPs groaned at that idea.

We already put a new PD in April to broadcast Oh Youngcheols work, and now we have to put another new PD to broadcast Seo-juns work? This is not even a Mobius strip

They couldnt air a making film for two weeks, so they had to think of something else to fill the empty two weeks.

***

Meanwhile, PD Gong Heechan and writer Yoo Cheonga were sitting nervously in the meeting room on the third floor of Cocoa Entertainment. 

Gong Heechan, who was sipping coffee, glanced at Yoo Cheonga, who looked a bit pale, and said in a low voice.

Im sorry, writer Yoo.

No, its okay.

Yoo Cheonga smiled brightly after hearing the story from Gong Heechan two days ago and suffering from anxiety.

Its not your fault, PD Gong. And Seo-jun agreed to appear! And its six episodes!

Seeing Gong Heechans apologetic face, Yoo Cheonga tried to sound more cheerful. It was easy to do so. She was really happy.

But I hope youll let me know right away if anything big happens in the future. This drama is not only your work, but also mine. We have to solve problems together!

Yes, I understand.

Gong Heechan nodded seriously.

At that moment, the door of the meeting room opened.

It was actor Seo-jun and his manager Ahn Da-ho.

Gong Heechan and Yoo Cheongas eyes sparkled at the sight of the actor they were finally meeting. 

Seo-jun also smiled brightly at the sight of the writer and director he was finally meeting.

Hello, writer. PD.

Seo-jun bowed politely and Gong Heechan and Yoo Cheonga bowed back. 

They seemed like nice people at first glance, so Seo-jun smiled.

Seo-jun and Ahn Da-ho took their seats opposite Gong Heechan and Yoo Cheonga. 

They decided to have a meeting today as well as signing the contract.

Here, this is the contract.

Gong Heechan took out the contract from his bag and handed it to Ahn Da-ho. 

Gong Heechan swallowed nervously as Ahn Da-ho scanned the contract with his sharp eyes.

They tried to write it as favorably as possible for Seo-jun after what happened at MBS. But it was still a contract, so they couldnt sign it carelessly. 

Ahn Da-ho read through the contract and nodded slightly.

Okay, Ill review it and send it back by tomorrow.

Okay.

Ahn Da-ho and Gong Heechan exchanged heavy words about the contract while Seo-jun and Yoo Cheonga chatted in a friendly atmosphere.

Here are the scripts for episode 1 and 2.

Yoo Cheonga took out two scripts from her bag and placed them in front of Seo-jun. Seo-juns eyes sparkled at the sight of the scripts.

Theyre already out.

They came out smoothly. The rest of the scripts will be out soon too.

Yoo Cheonga said with a smile. 

Seo-jun laughed heartily at her slightly nervous expression. 

Yoo Cheonga clenched her heart inwardly.

Just speak comfortably, writer.

Should I do that?

Yoo Cheonga answered awkwardly in an even more nervous voice at Seo-juns words.

Ahn Da-ho finished packing up the contract and joined the meeting. 

They read through the scripts for episode 1 and 2 and discussed them with the actor, writer, and PD.

There are some elements that I added when I changed it from a one-act play to a four-episode drama, and thats the past part where Seo-jun appears. The story became richer by adding the past part to the present part.

Yoo Cheonga said with a smile.

I had an idea that came to me when I added the past part, but it seemed like it would be too much for a four-episode drama, so I took it out. But now I get to use it.

The synopsis was interesting. Im looking forward to the script too.

Seo-juns words made Yoo Cheonga smile even more.

The content of the four-episode drama was like this.

A 30-year-old woman who is tired of her work suddenly remembers her first love one day.

Her innocent first love. 

She meets a man who resembles that boy and recalls her old memories by his actions. 

Eventually, she ends up with him.

But as the length increased to six episodes, Yoo Cheonga added another character.

Finding the real male lead!

Yoo Cheonga said excitedly. Seo-jun and Gong Heechan also smiled.

Another male lead appeared. 

The woman also remembers the boy from her first love by his actions. 

She is torn between the two men.

Who is the boy from my real first love?

You have to act confusingly here. You can do it well, Seo-jun.

It would be nice if you could mix half of the vibe of male lead A and half of the vibe of male lead B Would that be difficult?

Seo-jun shook his head at Yoo Cheonga and Gong Heechans words.

No, it sounds fun.

It was an acting he had never done before. He was really happy to do a new acting.

If it had been a four-episode drama, he would have had to act as the male lead only, seamlessly transitioning from a child to an adult. But as it became a six-episode drama, he got to do a more interesting acting.

It would be good if you could show the vibe of male lead A in the parts where he is emphasized, and the vibe of male lead B in the parts where he is emphasized

Gong Heechan trailed off, thinking it was a difficult request, but Seo-jun nodded without hesitation.

Yes, I think I can do that.

Seo-juns confident look made Gong Heechan and Yoo Cheongas eyes sparkle.

As expected, Seo-jun was a reliable actor.

Seo-jun thought for a moment and opened his mouth.

Then I have to analyze the character, but I also have to observe the acting of the actors who will play the adult roles.

Actors?

Not characters?

Gong Heechan and Yoo Cheonga tilted their heads at Seo-juns words. 

Seo-jun nodded and answered.

The actors who will play the adult roles might have a different interpretation of the character than mine.

Would there be much difference? Its the same character.

Yoo Cheonga tilted her head, but Gong Heechan, who had been to various sets and helped with actor auditions, understood Seo-juns words.

Thats true. When I think about it, even in actor auditions, each actor had different emphasis or intention for the same lines. There are as many character analyses as there are actors in one audition. There are almost no completely different ones, but there are differences from subtle to noticeable. We choose the actor who matches the director and writers intention among those interpretations.

Really?

Yoo Cheonga asked and Gong Heechan explained slowly.

Yes. Even if its an audition for one role, there are as many character analyses as there are actors. There are almost no completely different ones, but there are differences from subtle to noticeable. We choose the actor who matches the director and writers intention among those interpretations.

Yoo Cheonga, the writer, looked surprised and Seo-jun smiled and said.

Depending on the character analysis I mean, if the actor who plays male lead A acts as 1, I might act as 2. Then there will be a difference of 1 between the two acts. If the analysis is very different and I act as 3, 4 or even 9 instead of 2, there will be a difference of 8. That will make the atmosphere difference between the child and adult roles even bigger in the drama.

1 and 2 were similar, but there was still a difference of 1.

But if the character analysis of the adult and child actors was exactly the same, there would be no difference at all in their acting.

I want to eliminate even those subtle differences.

The actor who wanted to act his role as perfectly as possible sparkled his eyes.

They had never met such an actor before. 

Yoo Cheonga and Gong Heechan stared blankly at Seo-jun without realizing it. 

Ahn Da-ho, who was familiar with him, looked proud of his actor.

I want to become the character itself in the work. So if the actor who plays male lead A acts as 1, I will also act as 1.

At Seo-juns words, Yoo Cheonga and Gong Heechan unconsciously opened their mouths. 

They thought Seo-jun would be able to create a similar vibe to some extent, but they didnt know he would pursue perfection to this extent.

Gong Heechan put his trembling hands together as if to calm himself down. 

Yoo Cheonga looked at the script she wrote and Seo-jun alternately with her shaky eyes.

What kind of acting is he trying to show?

Will my direction and script be enough for his acting?

The writer and director felt that the actor sitting in front of them was a really great actor. 

They suddenly felt pressured. 

The writer and PD who were making their first work swallowed dryly.

Seo-jun sensed their pressure from their stiff expressions and spoke in a soft voice.

If you dont mind, could you please shoot the present part first? That way I can watch the adult acting and act accordingly.

Gong Heechan came to his senses and nodded. But his voice was still trembling.

Ah, thats what I was thinking anyway. The present part has more scenes, so you can come and watch when we shoot and get used to it.

Yes, thank you. But

Seo-jun scratched his cheek.

Just speak comfortably, PD.

Gong Heechan realized that he had been speaking formally without knowing it.

Ah, I didnt realize

Gong Heechans feelings were also understood by Yoo Cheonga.

How can I speak comfortably when hes so amazing!

He was younger than them, but he looked more like an actor than any other actor. The great actor who couldnt be called a child actor anymore called Yoo Cheonga.

Writer.

Yes Yeah?

Yoo Cheonga answered awkwardly at Seo-juns call. Youll get used to it soon, he thought and asked with sparkling eyes.

Have you decided on the title yet?

Seo-juns question made Ahn Da-ho and Gong Heechan look at Yoo Cheonga too. They had been calling it Spring for now, but it was time to decide on a title.

Yoo Cheonga flinched at everyones gaze and opened her mouth carefully.

Um. I did decide but

What is it?

What is it?

Seo-jun and Gong Heechans eyes shone.

Spring Has Returned.

***

Unlike the thriller Tomorrow, which started shooting perfectly prepared, the romance Spring Has Returned had nothing ready yet. But no one in MBS drama department was worried.

Gong Heechan, who told the CP the title, picked up his phone and called someone. Kim Danbi was in charge of casting actors, Choi Hyunwoo was in charge of sets and shooting locations, but he had to help too.

Can you help me with that lighting director?

After leaving out Park Gyumins work and telling him that Seo-jun would appear in six episodes, Gong Heechan briefly moved his phone away from his ear at the loud voice coming from it.

-What?! Youre shooting with Seo-jun? How did that happen?!

He was the one who introduced Yoo Cheonga to him not long ago, but he didnt expect things to get this big.

-Dont I have to buy you beef for this?

Haha. I should buy it for you. Ill buy you two servings.

-Well, Im free right now, so of course Im happy! Should I go right now?!

He called the lighting director who introduced him to Yoo Cheonga, and

Youre shooting with Seo-jun? Can I do it?!

The shooting director who had been walking only the romance path came running, and

Ill do it! Art team!

The experienced art director raised his hand.

It was so easy to find staff, or rather, so many skilled staff came to him that Kim Danbi and Choi Hyunwoo, who joined Gong Heechans team first, pretended to cry and held onto Gong Heechan.

Dont let us go. Senior!

Well do well!

Just do the casting.

Yes!

After a storm passed, the MBS drama department was peaceful.