WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Potter
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Why Do My Dramas Keep Becoming Hits!? ◈
Chapter 21: We Need to Raise the Stakes (3)
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Time flew by, and before long, the first broadcast was just around the corner.
Today’s shoot was for a major scene in episode four that would turn the mood of the drama on its head. It was being filmed at the open riverside park in Yeouido.
Maybe because they had been preparing since early morning, the staff and actors all looked exhausted.
Feeling sorry for them, I handed out the protein bars and coffee I had brought so even the actors could eat without worrying about their weight.
“Ah, no! I-I’m fine, Writer! Thank you for thinking of me!”
“I’m not hungry! I-I’ll look over the script some more!”
Despite my goodwill, every actor desperately waved me off.
Even the lead actors, who were usually confident and bold, were no different.
Look at that. The moment I looked at Cha Ye-rin, she subtly avoided my gaze like a meerkat.
“Ms. Ye-rin. Do you have something against me?”
“M-Me?! Against you, Writer?”
“Yes. It feels like you keep avoiding me whenever you see me.”
“W-When did I ever do that? Ahahaha...!”
You are doing it right now.
She was openly backing away to get away from me. At this point, I was honestly starting to feel sad.
“...Am I being ostracized?”
It wasn’t like I was some tyrant, yet everyone was busy getting scared of me and avoiding me.
As I stood there with a bitter taste in my mouth, I made eye contact with someone.
The only actor not avoiding my gaze was Do Jae-hyun.
He did not show the slightest discomfort. If anything, he seemed pleased to see me.
“Oh, you’re here, Writer?”
“Yes. I bought some food. Would you like some?”
“Ah. Thank you. I’ll enjoy it, Writer.”
Do Jae-hyun accepted the canned coffee with a neat smile.
Somehow, his bright, innocent smile made me feel sorry for him.
‘God... I feel fucking awful.’
Do Jae-hyun was currently at the center of all kinds of gossip plastered across entertainment pages.
An unknown actor had landed a shocking lead role. The public and gossipmongers who disliked that fact were tearing into him with one rumor after another.
Of course, I had cast him expecting something like this, but things had gotten far bigger than I intended.
After clearing my throat, I finally managed to speak.
“Ahem. Mr. Jae-hyun? It’s cold out. Are you okay? You can read the script inside the car.”
“I’m fine. Everyone else is working outside. I can’t be the only one who goes in.”
“Then... how are you feeling? Did you get some sleep?”
“Yes! Thanks to how well you always look after me, I’m in perfect condition.”
His eyes shone brightly.
Unable to meet his gaze, I quietly turned my head.
“W-What are you talking about? Anyway, if anything makes you uncomfortable, tell me right away. Come to think of it, that chair looks flimsy. Want me to get you a camping chair instead?”
“Writer.”
“Yes?”
At his quiet call, I turned around to find Do Jae-hyun staring at me after closing his script.
“I’m really okay. It doesn’t bother me at all.”
“...Really?”
“Yes. I’m always grateful that you look after me, but honestly, it’s a little uncomfortable when you keep worrying about how I feel.”
“....”
“You really don’t need to feel sorry for me. If anything, I should apologize. Because of me, your excellent work has been blemished.”
Don’t say any more.
Don’t make me look like a bad guy.
“Anyway, I’m fine. They say no comments are scarier than hate comments, right? Whatever people say about me, even if they insult me, I’m grateful for it.”
“...Mr. Jae-hyun. Have you always been mentally strong?”
“Ahaha. No. I think I just became this way after enduring whatever came my way.”
Fiddling with the canned coffee I had given him, he calmly opened up.
“It might sound like I’m complaining, but things used to be really hard. I got scammed by a casting director and lost all my savings. Once, a director on set told me to bark like a dog, so I really did, only to get cursed out and kicked off the set. And I’ve only ever run coffee errands for other people on set. This is the first time anyone has given me coffee.”
“....”
“After going through so much crap, I guess I developed nerves of steel that won’t even twitch at most hate comments. Hahaha.”
Hearing him casually recount such a sad past made me want to bite my tongue off.
‘Ji Yeon-woo, you piece of trash... You’re not even human.’
Using such a kind, pitiful person as a meat shield... In my past life, I must have been a traitor to my country.
To ease my guilt even a little, I stuck my face out in front of him.
“Mr. Jae-hyun. Want to slap me once?”
“...What? Excuse me?!”
“Just think of me as a hate commenter and hit me hard. If you want, you can hit both cheeks.”
“W-What are you talking about?! How could I possibly hit you, Writer...?!”
Seeing Do Jae-hyun panic and wave his hands only deepened my guilt.
That was when our conversation, which had one side’s insides burning black, was interrupted.
“Huh? Those cars coming in aren’t our equipment team, are they?”
“Look at the logo. It’s SBC. Why is the <Suspect X> team here?”
At the staff’s murmuring, I turned to see several broadcasting station vehicles with a familiar logo entering the park.
What was this? Did our filming locations overlap?
Just as we spotted them, they spotted us, and they could not hide their surprise.
“....”
“....”
In an instant, tense air filled the space between the tvM and SBC staff.
Then I saw an especially familiar and unpleasant silhouette at the front of their group.
Han Kang-hee, SBC’s department head.
Someone who should have stayed far away from a filming set had come all the way to an outdoor location to throw his weight around.
And beside him was some young man dressed in flashy clothes, clinging to him like a leech.
‘Who’s that? Did SBC have a PD like that?’
Han Kang-hee soon noticed us and approached with his usual greasy sneer.
But instead of looking at me, he was openly staring at Do Jae-hyun.
As I wondered about that, Do Jae-hyun stepped forward and greeted him first.
“H-Hello, Director.”
“Yeah, yeah! You, um... Do, Do...”
“Do Jae-hyun, Director.”
“Right, right! Do Jae-hyun! Good to see you here! I’ve been feeling bad about what happened, but it’s nice to see you’re doing so well.”
I did not know what kind of relationship they had, but there was something distinctly off about their conversation.
After years of scraping along under Han Kang-hee, I could tell.
‘That disgusting habit of his hasn’t changed.’
That bastard was openly taking jabs at Do Jae-hyun.
“Our actor Do. You must’ve worked hard all this time. When I saw you before, I thought this wasn’t the path for you, but I was wrong. Hahaha!”
“....”
“Anyway, we’ll be seeing each other often now, so let’s not dwell on the past, okay? It wouldn’t do for either of us to get uncomfortable. Oh, and you were close with Min-hyuk here too, weren’t you?”
The man named Min-hyuk held out his hand to Do Jae-hyun.
“Jae-hyun. Have you been well?”
“Yes. I’ve been well.”
“That’s good. Ignore the internet and work hard. You finally got this chance. Whether it turns out well or badly, you have to see it through.”
“...Yes, hyung.”
That bastard was the same type as Han Kang-hee.
The other PDs seemed to have grasped the situation as well and watched uncomfortably.
Then the man named Kang Min-hyuk came over to me and held out his hand.
“You’re Writer Ji Yeon-woo, right? We’ll be seeing each other often from now on, so I thought I’d introduce myself first.”
“...?”
“Since meeting like this must be fate, should we exchange contact information? Haha. I don’t usually give my number to just anyone, but Writer...”
After quietly listening to him, I carefully opened my mouth.
“But who are you?”
“Excuse me?”
“You don’t seem to be a PD... You’re an actor, right?”
“You don’t know who I am?”
“Well... We’ve never met before.”
Why did he look so shocked?
He wasn’t God. How was I supposed to know who he was?
“Ah, hahaha. I guess I’m still not famous enough. I’ll have to work harder.”
Kang Min-hyuk gave an awkward laugh, then turned away without lingering.
At the same time, Han Kang-hee’s sharp gaze began poking at my face.
After glaring at me for a while, he returned to his set. Only then did the tight atmosphere ease a little.
“Fuaa... What are we going to do about that mood?”
“That was Han Kang-hee, right? Just like I heard, he looks like he has a terrible temper.”
Yeouido Park was huge, yet our paths had crossed with the rival drama team at the same time.
The tvM staff still wore uneasy expressions.
More than friction with a rival production, this was an extremely practical and troublesome variable that could affect the details of a set about to begin shooting.
Tension between the actors was unavoidable, and the relationship between Do Jae-hyun and Han Kang-hee also looked suspicious.
Naturally, the staff who sensed it began checking on Do Jae-hyun one by one, while cautiously watching my reaction too.
“But will you be okay, Writer...?”
“? Me?”
“Yes. You left SBC and came to our side... I think that old snake is holding a grudge because of that.”
“Exactly. How narrow-minded can someone be? Tsk, tsk.”
I had no idea what they were talking about, but I casually shrugged.
My bad blood with Han Kang-hee was already as tangled as it could get. This was nothing new.
“Well. Is that any of my business? I plan to stick with tvM to the end anyway.”
“Wow... Writer, you’re so loyal... You chose us even if it meant becoming enemies with SBC...”
“Writer! We won’t let you down! We’ll pour everything into directing, filming, and lighting to make this incredible!”
“No, you don’t need to go that far...”
“We will absolutely live up to your expectations! At the very least, we’ll crush those SBC bastards in the ratings!”
Seeing the staff’s burning, determined eyes, I quietly swallowed a sigh.
Fine. Think whatever you want.
Leaving the noisy staff behind, I lightly tapped Do Jae-hyun on the shoulder.
“Mr. Jae-hyun. Can we talk for a moment?”
“Ah, yes, Writer.”
We headed somewhere secluded under the excuse of getting some fresh air.
Then I got straight to the point without bothering to hide it.
“What is your relationship with Han Kang-hee?”
“E-Excuse me?”
“It doesn’t seem like you’re on good terms. Did something happen between you? You don’t have to answer if it’s difficult to talk about.”
“....”
Do Jae-hyun pressed his lips together before cautiously speaking.
“I once got lucky and landed a supporting role in a drama. It was a fairly substantial role, and to me, it was a miracle of an opportunity.”
“And?”
“...I thought the casting was nearly confirmed, but the director at the time saw my acting and cut me.”
I had expected it, but I was right.
He did not explain the details, but it was obvious enough what had happened.
Han Kang-hee had probably criticized his acting while hurling every insult and awful thing imaginable.
Otherwise, there was no reason for an actor who was normally so confident to be so intimidated.
“Then after you were cut, the role went to that actor, Kang Min-hyuk?”
“...How did you know?”
“Isn’t it obvious? From what I saw, that prickly Han Kang-hee was practically doting on him.”
“Is that so?”
He tried to sound calm, but he could not hide the slight tremor in his voice.
I did not press him any further. Instead, I casually held out another canned coffee.
“Don’t worry about it too much. It’s already in the past. And you landed a lead role now, didn’t you? Right in front of everyone.”
“Haha... Yes, that’s true.”
“Whatever those SBC bastards say behind your back, ignore them completely. Once filming starts, you’ll be standing alone in front of the camera. You don’t need to be shaken by outside noise.”
“....”
“If you still can’t calm down, drink this and settle your stomach. I’ll tell the director that we’ll be on standby in five more minutes.”
Do Jae-hyun, who had still looked tense, quietly stared at the little can in my hand before letting out a faint laugh.
“That’s already the third one.”
“...? What is?”
“The coffee you’ve given me today. One at dawn, one earlier, and this one now. Oh, and you gave me a protein bar too.”
A far more relaxed smile, unlike the distorted one from earlier, appeared on his lips.
His voice sounded brighter too.
“At this rate, I’ll collapse from caffeine addiction, Writer.”
At his exaggerated whining, I could not help but laugh.
What an easy actor to understand and handle.
With a small snort, I replied.
“It’s decaf.”
#
“Cut! Okay! We got it in one take! Everyone, take ten minutes while we set up the next scene!”
The actors chatting together during the break looked fairly cheerful.
‘Hmm. I was worried for nothing.’
When the casting news first broke and the public began tearing into the drama, the atmosphere on set had been thin as ice.
But professionals were professionals.
As time passed, they regained their form and delivered passionate performances as though they had never been anxious.
Among them, Director Woo’s attention rested on one person in particular.
‘It’s amazing. How did the writer recognize such a talent?’
Even while taking hate comments head-on, Do Jae-hyun had not made a single NG.
Leaving aside his acting ability, his nerves of steel made him a born actor.
As Woo Young-taek watched Do Jae-hyun in amazement, someone spoke to him.
“Director, we have a bit of a problem.”
“What is it now?”
“You know the bit actor scheduled to play Han Ji-hoon in this afternoon’s scene? He came down with norovirus this morning and was taken to the emergency room. What should we do?”
At the assistant director’s report, Woo Young-taek deeply furrowed his brow.
“Fuck, does this drama not get a single quiet day?”
Han Ji-hoon was Han Tae-yoon’s older brother in the drama.
He was not a major character.
He only appeared briefly in episode ten to give Han Tae-yoon some pointed dating advice.
But that advice would have a major effect on Han Tae-yoon’s future actions, making him a necessary character.
Director Woo irritably scratched his head.
“Call the casting director and get any available actor nearby. If that doesn’t work, pick one of the bit actors on set who roughly fits the image and shoot it.”
“Ah, yes. Lee Seung-ho’s schedule is open. Should we see if he’d do a cameo?”
“That works too.”
“Yes! I’ll check right away!”
Watching the assistant director hurry away, Director Woo clicked his tongue.
He had said to get anyone, but if possible, he wanted someone who could match Do Jae-hyun’s rhythm.
When brothers shared a two-shot, chemistry mattered more than anything.
‘Hmm. Would any actor agree to make a cameo in a drama with so much bad press?’
Frustrated, Director Woo scrolled through his phone contacts and absentmindedly looked toward one side of the set.
There, he saw Do Jae-hyun on break and Writer Ji Yeon-woo hovering beside him.
“Mr. Jae-hyun. Aren’t you hungry? I bought a sandwich. Want to eat this at least?”
“Ah, I’m fine. You should eat it, Writer.”
“Don’t be like that. I saw you haven’t eaten anything since dawn.”
“I’m really fine... Or should we split it between us?”
Ji Yeon-woo was scolding him as if making sure a careless younger brother ate properly, while Do Jae-hyun simply smiled good-naturedly and floundered.
He had noticed it from the first day of filming. Do Jae-hyun was especially respectful toward the writer, while Ji Yeon-woo took particularly good care of him.
As he blankly watched them, a flash of inspiration struck Director Woo’s mind.
“...A two-shot? Chemistry between brothers?”
In the drama, Han Ji-hoon was an older brother who disapproved of his gullible younger brother but still looked after him when it counted.
And Han Tae-yoon was a younger brother who trusted and followed that older brother completely.
If he imagined those two in real life, yes, they looked exactly like Do Jae-hyun and Ji Yeon-woo in front of him.
Snap!
Woo Young-taek snapped his fingers and sprang to his feet.
The irritation on his face had already turned into a crazed smile of certainty.
“Hey, Assistant Director!!”
The assistant director, who had been about to make calls in every direction, flinched and turned around.
“Stop looking for actors for now!”
“Y-Yes? Stop?”
Director Woo’s finger pointed directly at Ji Yeon-woo’s broad back.
“No need to look far. He’s right there. The perfect cameo.”
“Excuse me?!”
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