After that incident, the reading session went on smoothly.
Was it the power of chocolate, or the reassuring presence of her friend Louis beside her? Whatever the reason, Yuna didn't falter again.
Even as the script dipped into vulgar language and unpleasant situations, the little girl handled her role as Jannie brilliantly.
"Don't do it! Please!"
"Calm down, let's all calm down!"
"Aaah—!"
"Okay, good. That's great! But there, try to scream a bit more — like it's ripping you apart, your throat tearing— oh, sorry, that sounds bad, huh? Sorry, Yuna."
"It's fine!"
"Right, just push it out with that kind of intensity."
"Got it!"
With their restraints gone, the actors could dive deeper into their roles.
As the drama grew more intense, so did their focus and passion.
"Jannie! Jannie!"
And among them, the one who shone brightest was Muyeong.
It didn't feel like he was acting — he was Louis, through and through.
Ha! This is fun.
The seasoned actors shivered with a sense of freshness they hadn't felt in ages.
Especially Sung Hye-jun.
Having worked nonstop since her debut, she realized something for the first time as she watched Muyeong.
So I really was stuck in a rut.
The dull fatigue she hadn't noticed in her day-to-day life — that was what it was.
It was art, yes, but hadn't she been performing mechanically all this time?
Crying when the director says cry, laughing when told to laugh.
She'd mastered script analysis to the point she could see a story's end from the first few pages.
That was exactly why she needed new experiences.
New people. New energy.
Especially a refreshing rookie like Muyeong, who could reignite her drive.
"Feels good."
"What does?"
Hyo-jung turned her head curiously.
"Something new."
"...?"
So that's why people chase new relationships, huh?
Hye-jun smirked, half amused at her own self-reflection.
Of course, she wasn't the only one thinking that way.
Anyone who'd spent years on set felt the same spark that day.
"Alright, time's flown. Let's take ten, then resume."
The director snapped back to reality at the assistant's cue.
Two hours had vanished before they knew it.
Yuna leaned halfway against Muyeong, looking a bit tired.
"As I mentioned earlier, those in minor roles can head out now. Alright, I need a coffee. Yuna, Muyeong — a quick word?"
A fair request, really. Spending an entire day for a few lines wasn't ideal.
As the director spoke, the actors stretched and relaxed.
Muyeong and Yuna stood up and approached him.
"What's up?"
The director smiled.
"Nothing serious. Just about the shooting schedule."
Filming was set to start in summer.
Sets had to be built, logistics arranged — but most crucial of all was Yuna's schedule.
"For child actors under fifteen, filming can't exceed thirty-five hours a week. And unless it's a holiday, no work between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m."
In other words, strict time limits.
Ordinarily, that wouldn't be an issue — but Yuna was the lead.
And she appeared in almost every scene.
"So she'll have to start shooting earlier than the others."
"Earlier? Mom didn't mention that."
"Right. I wanted to tell you first. It's your work, so you should know before anyone else."
The director's respect for the child made Yuna smile and tug lightly on Muyeong's sleeve.
"It'd be best to film anything we can before the set's done — makes everything else smoother."
Like, say, budget efficiency, maybe?
Muyeong understood perfectly.
Since Jannie shared most of her scenes with Louis, the director probably meant for him to be there too.
"How early are we talking?"
If it overlapped with his finals, that'd be… troublesome.
The director waved his hand.
"No worries. Like I said before — summer. Maybe moved up by a week, tops. We're already ahead of schedule, any faster and it'll look rushed. Right?" He laughed.
"So just me, then?"
"Yeah. Only Yuna for now. We'll shoot her solo scenes first."
Normally, pre-production took two or three months.
But with a solid script, cast, and investment already locked in, everything was going smoothly.
"Then why do you need me there?"
"Not to film — but I'd like you on set if possible."
Muyeong tilted his head, puzzled.
The director ruffled Yuna's hair.
"Yuna seems really comfortable around you. Her acting's steadier with you nearby, right?"
"Yeah! I like Muyeong oppa. He's really like Louis, so when he's there, I'm not scared."
Her innocent honesty hit Muyeong straight in the chest.
Touched once by her affection, and again by her seeing him as Louis.
"I'd appreciate it if you dropped by when you can. I'm not worried about her acting — I just want to make sure she's emotionally supported."
"Supported?"
"She's still a kid. The set can be rough, and the story's heavy. Sure, she'll have a guardian, but she might need someone she feels safe with."
Ah—
Muyeong swallowed a quiet breath.
He'd heard Director Jin Kyung-moon was known for caring about his actors, but not to this extent.
Even adults struggled with overnight shoots and emotionally draining scenes.
For a child, it'd be even harder.
"This is my first time directing a project with a child lead, so I've got a lot of worries."
It was clear he intended to do everything he could to protect her.
Yuna looked up at Muyeong, her eyes gleaming — a silent question.
"You'll come, right?"
"Of course. I'll drop by whenever I can."
"Yay!"
"Thanks, that helps."
Truthfully, he'd already planned to.
He'd done the same during his web drama days — learning from the staff, watching the pros, soaking everything in.
"I'll keep you updated once Yuna's schedule is finalized. Don't stress too much."
"It's no trouble. If Jannie's comfortable, then Louis is too."
Unconsciously, he'd called her Jannie.
The director chuckled softly, sipping his coffee.
"By the way, where did you learn to act, Muyeong?"
"Me? BV Academy!"
"Ah, I've heard of that. So you haven't been acting long, huh? Well, you've really found your calling. I don't say this to everyone."
Muyeong smiled brightly. He knew — this was the best compliment a director could give before shooting began.
"Thank you. I'll work even harder."
"Good. Then we'll talk details later. For now, take a break. Assistant Director!"
Finishing his coffee, the director left the room.
In the hallway stood Go Kyung-min, pacing nervously.
"It's fine, hyung. Come in."
"How was it? Did you do well? Want something to drink? Eat?"
He hurried over, scanning the atmosphere anxiously.
Two whole hours he'd waited by the door, cheering silently like a proud parent.
"He did great," said Sung Hye-jun, sitting across the room.
Her lips glistened faintly after sipping her water.
"No need to worry, Manager. Hard to believe he's a rookie."
"Thank you."
"I'm Sung Hye-jun. Nice to meet you. You've got quite the gap between your on- and off-camera self, huh?"
She reached out a hand for a handshake.
Muyeong, not thinking much of it, accepted with a polite smile —
but the air around them grew strangely charged.
Because everyone knew.
Is it her this time?
Rumors always swirled around Hye-jun and her co-stars —
not that she ever confirmed them, but smoke rarely rises without fire.
"You were all incredible, really."
"Was I? Coming from you, that's flattering. Thanks. How old are you?"
"Twenty."
"Ahh."
Too young, she thought, smiling sweetly.
Muyeong blinked in mild confusion as Kyung-min nudged him from behind.
"Hey, can I talk to you for a sec? Outside, Muyeong?"
"Hmm? Oh, yes."
Muyeong had completely forgotten the one thing Manager Go Kyung-min had warned him about — don't get too close to Sung Hye-jun.
As Kyung-min was trying to steer him away, Hye-jun suddenly stood up with a dazzling smile.
"Our junior here deserves a coffee, don't you think? You drink coffee, right? You're twenty."
"Me? I don't drink coffee."
Coffee, no. Green tea, yes.
At his innocent reply, Hye-jun's smile faltered just a bit.
Was he genuinely naive, or was he teasing her?
She quickly recovered, her expression blooming again like a stage light.
"Is that so? Then how about grabbing a meal instead? Didn't think this reading would take so long — I'm starving."
"Yeah, same here. I'm pretty hungry."
"There's a nice restaurant just around the cor—"
Crunch, crunch.
Muyeong calmly tore open a chocolate bar and began munching.
He blinked at her, silently telling her to continue.
Are you f**ing blind to social cues?*
Hye-jun nearly said it aloud but swallowed the words.
Her excitement fizzled like a deflating balloon as she debated what to do next—
"Unni!"
That's when it happened.
Yuna, who had been clinging to Muyeong, suddenly skipped over to Hye-jun — flashing a radiant smile, dimples and all.
"I'm hungry too."
"Huh?"
"Yuna wants chocolate milk and bread instead of coffee, please!"
What is this kid doing?
Caught off guard but still maintaining her poise, Hye-jun gently patted the child's back.
"Well, sure. But is that enough? You should eat lots and lots."
"Really?"
That was as far as she got before Yuna turned toward the doorway — just as Director Jin walked back into the room.
"Director! Hye-jun unni says she'll buy us something delicious 'cause we're hungry! Lots and lots!"
"What? Really? How nice of her!"
"Hye-jun unni is so pretty and kind — an angel! There's a good restaurant nearby, she said!"
"Is that so? But since the reading isn't over and there's a lot of us, wouldn't delivery be better? There's a sandwich shop nearby, right?"
The director, delighted, waved the staff over.
"What's the exact address again?"
"Why, what for?"
"Hye-jun said she'd treat everyone! Ha-ha!"
"Oh my, really?"
The room's atmosphere shifted instantly.
Muyeong clapped cheerfully with an Ooooh! expression, while Kyung-min could only give a pained, distant smile.
"I—wait, that's not—"
"Unni, thank you!"
Yuna bowed deeply, sealing the deal.
Soon, the assistant directors and production staff followed suit, thanking Hye-jun one after another.
What the hell just happened?
Why? Something wrong with that?
Their sparkling smiles clashed in the air — a silent duel of women's pride.
Muyeong, completely oblivious, raised his hand toward a staff member.
"I'll have an egg-mayo sandwich!"
"I want the same as oppa!"
Yuna dashed over and plopped down on Muyeong's lap, grinning.
Hye-jun let out an incredulous laugh, handed her card to her manager, and sighed.
"Unni, let's just quietly focus on work this time."
"What did I even do?"
"Quietly. Just… buy the sandwiches."
At Hyo-jung's teasing remark, Hye-jun stuck out her tongue.
So the kid wasn't just bright — she was cunning.
Underestimating her would be a mistake.
"Hey, Yuna."
"Mm?"
Watching Yuna's round little head, Muyeong suddenly remembered the director's earlier concern —
and how she'd flinched when Lee Hee-jun had shouted during the scene.
"You know this is all acting, right?"
He spoke softly.
"Yuna and Jannie aren't the same person. Thinking of it that way will make it easier for you."
"Why? Do I have to?"
"Words have power. Even if it's pretend, they leave marks inside you.
I just don't want that happening to you."
He and Yuna weren't the same.
He became the character completely, but for her sake, he hoped she could turn it off — like a switch between life and role.
Yuna thought about it, then nodded.
"I'll try. But Jannie's not really sad anyway. Louis always protects her."
"That's true. Jannie has Louis."
Then she raised a tiny hand like a karate chop, channeling Bruce Lee.
"So Yuna will protect oppa!"
"Me? From what?"
Hi-ya!
Yuna narrowed her eyes and glared past him — straight at Sung Hye-jun.
Their eyes met, and both smiled sweetly.
"There's always something scary on set," she said. "I'll protect you."Muyeong, not fully grasping what just happened, simply nodded.
"Got it."
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