Chapter 64

The filming of *The Chaser* proceeded smoothly overall.

Though the process of discovering jealousy had been rather trivial, it had nonetheless been helpful for her acting.

“In all honesty… I can’t quite say it.”

Jealousy. It was an unfamiliar emotion.

When she thought about it, experiencing emotions was a natural occurrence.

It wasn’t anything extraordinary.

It was only special to her.

As she watched the crew clearing the set, Sooyeon fell into a quiet contemplation.

Perhaps, on some level, she had decided to become an actress to understand these very things.

A place where various emotions surfaced and where they were dramatized.

In the past, she had only created masks to cover her unpleasant feelings, but perhaps this world, where such masks were treated as essential tools, was comfortable in its own way.

“…Is my adolescence still not over?”

It was a strangely sentimental day.

Maybe it was because she had witnessed such a shocking scene yesterday.

Just thinking about it made her stomach boil.

Though not as intensely as it had yesterday.

Sooyeon herself realized this emotion for the first time.

She had once thought of herself as being like a plant.

But it turned out she had just been foolish.

“Hmm.”

There were still so many emotions she didn’t understand.

Of course, she naturally felt emotions in her current life.

It was just because of the disconnect from her past life that she had to pause to think about what certain feelings truly meant.

And during acting, one could not help but become aware of these nuances.

It was like how breathing feels awkward when you consciously focus on it.

“Ms. Sooyeon.”

Was it because today’s filming had gone well?

Director Bae Jin-hwan approached her with a light step.

“Yes?”

“Today’s shooting was truly excellent. If we keep this up, everything will go smoothly. However…”

He paused for a moment in thought.

Glancing at Sooyeon’s unblinking gaze, he finally continued.

“The next shoot involves some intense scenes. You know, where Han Ye-hwa gets kidnapped, and in the process, there’s a confrontation with one of the policemen.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

“I noticed that you seem pretty capable in action scenes. By any chance, can you handle it?”

Can I handle it?

Perplexed, she stared blankly at him.

“Didn’t you hear? Action scenes are usually handled by stunt doubles. I think you already knew that, right?”

“Yes, I heard.”

Come to think of it, someone had indeed mentioned it.

Stunt actors generally chosen for action scenes typically have a similar build to the actual actors.

Cha Soo-ah wears a raincoat or disguises her face frequently to make the transition to a body double easier.

Apparently, since the film features frequent physical fights, they had planned to use a stunt double.

“But, the actor we had lined up to play your double sprained his ankle. We were going to find a new one… but then it occurred to me.”

At the thought of their first chase scene where Sooyeon had mysteriously disappeared,

It occurred to him that while running and performing action sequences were different, perhaps she could do it.

“Would you be okay if I recommend an action school I know? What do you think?”

Though Sooyeon didn’t know it, this was an extremely rare opportunity.

Action School — a place that, for a director like Bae Jin-hwan, was essentially synonymous with the most prestigious ‘Action School’ in Seoul.

Perhaps the most renowned place in Korea for stunt actors.

And, naturally, it wasn’t easy to get in.

It wasn’t just for those aspiring to be stuntmen; it was also a place where actors wishing to learn action techniques sought training.

Of course, there was an audition, and the competition was fierce.

“Mr. Kim Hong-baek is strict, but I believe someone like Ms. Sooyeon….”

Director Bae Jin-hwan had a connection with Professor Kim Hong-baek, who had founded the action school.

Thus, for an extraordinary talent, he could confidently make a recommendation.

He thought Sooyeon was a fine prospect.

“With a crash course over a couple of months, she should handle it.”

The action scenes in *The Chaser* weren’t overly sophisticated.

It wasn’t an action movie but a thriller.

Still, when it came to action, even the simplest choreographed fights showcased significant differences between those trained in it and those who weren’t.

And although it was called an “action school,” it was essentially about any physical form of acting.

A quick course in only the necessary skills would suffice in one or two months.

“What do you say, Sooyeon? Try it out. If you feel like it’s manageable, you could give it a shot.”

Upon hearing these words from Director Bae Jin-hwan,

Sooyeon responded calmly.

“Yes, I’d like to try. As an actress.”

Her composed answer left Bae secretly impressed.

After all, many female actresses tended to avoid action roles.

“Her attitude is really good.”

Despite her youth, she was already proving to be a promising talent.

As Director Bae Jin-hwan smiled with satisfaction and nodded, Sooyeon, who loved physical activity, couldn’t contain her excitement.

She had always wanted to try action acting.

***

Director Bae Jin-hwan handed a business card and the address of the action school to manager Eun-ha, briefing her to mention his recommendation.

He assured her everything would be handled appropriately.

The following day,

As Sooyeon went to school, she noticed an unusual hustle and bustle.

The students looked more excited, and the atmosphere felt different from usual.

“Is something going on?”

Since there was no specific friend Sooyeon could ask about it, during the first-period break, she quickly went over to another classroom and asked Jiyeon.

“…You should ask someone from your class about that.”

“Very difficult.”

“What’s so difficult?”

Jiyeon sighed at Sooyeon’s question.

After all, to those who only knew her superficially, she seemed a bit intimidating.

She rarely showed strong reactions, and it was hard to tell what she was thinking.

On top of that, Sooyeon carried a certain aura.

Someone for whom “her presence is different” was the perfect description.

If only she laughed more, she could likely make lots of friends. But that was her.

“It’s probably because of the school festival.”

“School festival?”

Is there even such a thing?

Sooyeon looked at her with that expression.

“Apparently Yeonhwa High School has quite an elaborate festival.”

Yeonhwa High School tended to draw students who excelled in art and physical education rather than purely academics.

Thus, while its average score within Seoul might be just below average, it was quite strong in the arts and physical education.

Because of this, they celebrated sports days and festivals grandly.

In particular, each class would have its own booth for the festival.

“…They really do that?”

“Surprisingly, a lot.”

There are quite a few.

Sooyeon nodded.

Even though it was a school festival, she didn’t really have any clear-cut role to play.

It seemed like the schedule had already been decided the previous day.

‘What is our class doing?’

Though she wanted to ask, she didn’t know exactly who to ask.

Suddenly, Sooyeon felt a pang of frustration—it was not right to keep living this way.

If she didn’t take action, she might end up spending the festival isolated from her classmates.

“Realized something finally? Go back and talk to your class.”

Though Jiyeon’s words were a bit cruel, Sooyeon felt a little deflated and returned to her classroom.

The attention of the whole class turned toward her as she entered.

She felt like a new transfer student every single day.

‘…I definitely need to take some action.’

If her acting career got busier, she would remain peripheral at school.

That wasn’t right.

Spending three years of high school with Jiyeon as her only friend… wouldn’t that be a little sad?

Thinking this way, Sooyeon suddenly remembered something she forgot to ask.

“Ah, I should’ve asked…”

About Ramiel.

When she had gone to Jiyeon’s classroom before, she had intended to ask about her but completely forgot due to the talk of the school festival.

But even if she wanted to ask, what should she ask?

Is the wizard someone she knew?

Why did she suddenly start broadcasting?

“…”

Sooyeon collapsed face-down on her desk.

Her thoughts were getting too complicated.

***

Professor Kim Hong-baek.

A representative stunt performer of Korea and a martial arts supervisor.

The Cheonghong Action School he established in Seoul had trained countless action actors and was known as an entryway for stuntmen with no connections.

Certainly, many hopeful stuntmen challenged themselves every quarter, and the number of applicants was enormous.

“Hmm, Sooyeon Joo…”

A lean-faced man muttered this name.

The young actress set to visit the Action School today.

Or rather, calling her an actress might be premature.

She had one drama under her belt.

A single theatrical experience beyond that.

She was an absolute novice, stepping into her first movie.

A director like Bae Jin-hwan had personally recommended her.

“Princess Yeonhwa and Hong Jeong-hee roles.”

Neither character was particularly related to action scenes.

But Director Bae Jin-hwan was a director with incredible insight.

If he believed that for a character requiring action, the actress could do without a stunt double, then there must be a solid reason.

This way, in the afternoon,

A young girl arrived on schedule with her manager.

Sooyeon Joo.

Her arrival instantly drew the attention of the trainees practicing action sequences.

She had an appearance that naturally captured glances.

However, Professor Kim Hong-baek slightly furrowed his brow.

“Her body is perfectly proportioned. But…”

Had she ever really engaged in serious exercise?

There were no obvious signs of it.

She was slim, but it was harder finding actors who weren’t slim.

Often, women who took extreme measures for body control ended up physically fragile.

It would be difficult for someone so delicate to perform stunts.

It would be better to just use a stunt double.

“Hello. I’m Sooyeon Joo, a new actor from Nova Entertainment.”

Still, her greeting was cheerful.

The polite bow softened Professor Kim Hong-baek’s expression.

“Hmm, introductions have been made. I’m Professor Kim Hong-baek. Here, you can just call me Master or Professor.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“So, have you ever performed action acting…? No, haven’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Have you ever been trained in it?”

Sooyeon hesitated briefly.

She had attended the gym regularly and sometimes practiced other exercises following online tutorials but…

“I haven’t had proper training.”

There had been no significant training related to acting at the acting academy she attended.

Hearing this, Professor Kim Hong-baek nodded, as if he’d guessed as much.

Meanwhile, the other trainees around her slightly frowned.

“Who is she?”

“Looks like an actress…”

Having come through auditions, they couldn’t help but resent someone who entered through connections.

Not everyone could receive instruction from Professor Kim Hong-baek.

Yet, here was an actress who seemed unrelated to action training?

While having ambition as an actress was commendable, it was clear she would likely give up soon.

“The action scenes aren’t too lengthy, so about a month will suffice. It might be tough, but are you okay with it?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

Professor Kim Hong-baek had already reviewed the script via Director Bae Jin-hwan.

Cha Soo-ah’s action scenes primarily involved physical fights with a detective during the “murder” scenes.

And the chase scene.

The highlight of the movie.

To fully bring these two aspects to life, a month of training was necessary.

After all, it was crucial to initially learn basic physical techniques rather than simply jumping into action practice.

Skipping those steps could lead to injury.

“By the way, your height and weight aren’t mentioned in the profile. Could you tell me?”

Professor Kim Hong-baek scanned Sooyeon from head to toe.

She probably weighed about 50 kg?

She seemed that delicate.

“…My weight?”

Yet, there was an unusual tremor in Sooyeon’s voice.

This reaction surprised Kim Hong-baek.

She didn’t look like someone overly concerned about her weight.

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