The filming set of *Miss Gyeongseong*.
Amidst a rather chaotic atmosphere, the actors who arrived on set were taken aback by the unusually large number of staff.
Even their attire was somehow unfamiliar.
Listening to the conversations overheard in passing, it wasn't Korean.
Japanese?
Those who heard the sound exchanged glances with one another.
'Ah, come to think of it.'
They did say Japanese officials were coming.
I heard they were filming a video to be used for the promotion of *Miss Gyeongseong*.
"It's fascinating. Director Baek Min's movies have always been highly evaluated overseas, but..."
"Isn't it the first time for Japan? I heard there are almost no cases where the Japanese side showed interest first."
"Well, the Japanese side certainly has their own distinct flavor."
The Japanese film industry is actually quite a large market.
At least, that's the case if you only look at the numbers.
However, the actual movie-going population isn't that large.
Quite a few movies are released, but the majority end up leaving theaters without making much of a profit.
Perhaps because of this, the Japanese film industry is mostly sluggish when it comes to importing foreign films.
Why else would animated theatrical releases often perform better at the box office than live-action films?
In fact, just looking at Japan's all-time box office rankings, six out of the top ten are animated films.
On the other hand, there's only one live-action film.
"Why would they be interested in a Korean movie in a place like that..."
Not only the staff but also the actors were simply puzzled.
It was even bizarre when thinking that it was all because of a single actor.
"Is it because she's a future great actress? Japan has high expectations."
"…….."
"Anyone who didn't know better would think Yuina is the protagonist."
Quite a cynical remark.
At those words, Jo Seo-hee, who was standing nearby, shuddered.
Seo-yeon quietly averted her gaze.
'She's sulking.'
Seo-yeon flinched at Lee Ji-yeon's sharp tone and scooted to the side to sit down.
Although it was a highly sarcastic tone, Seo-yeon now knew that it was just simple whining.
She acts exactly like a child; if you only heard the words, you'd think she was about to slap someone.
Naturally, it didn't contain such hostile feelings.
Above all, the reason Ji-yeon was sulking right now wasn't because of the interest shown by Japan, as mentioned just now!
Jo Seo-hee, who had been cautiously glancing around, took something out of her designer bag and offered it.
"I bought some Gummy Worms, wanna eat?"
"Did you buy that yesterday when you two were hanging out too?"
"H-hmph. No, I bought it at the convenience store this morning."
At those words, Lee Ji-yeon looked at the Gummy Worms in Jo Seo-hee's hand.
It had an exceedingly cheap appearance for something that just came out of a designer bag.
"……I'll eat it."
Saying that, Ji-yeon chewed the jelly combatively.
It felt like the sound of "hmph, hmph, hmph" was echoing in her ears like an auditory hallucination.
Seeing that, Seo-hee sidled up to Seo-yeon and asked.
"I've never seen her sulk like that before. Does she not do that often?"
"……She does that subtly."
"T-that's a subtle way to put it."
Yeah, subtly.
Actually, Lee Ji-yeon was a very magnanimous person, so she would usually just sneer and brush off most things.
But it seemed she was sulking because Seo-yeon went out to play alone with Jo Seo-hee yesterday.
"She herself also went out with me just the two of us before."
"Right?"
"Of course, forgetting to reply to her call in the middle was my mistake."
She called right before we went into the movie theater, so I completely forgot about it.
But what could I do?
The movie was that stimulating.
I heard later that she contacted me to hang out because she was bored, but since I forgot, I only replied late at night.
"……Isn't she sulking because of that?"
"I did contact her later."
R-really?
Seo-hee looked like she had a lot to say, but didn't say more.
Of course, Seo-yeon didn't avoid her gaze for no reason earlier.
I just avoided it because I knew my own fault better than anyone.
'But what can I do, she's already sulking.'
For the extremely broad-minded Seo-yeon, she couldn't even imagine sulking over such a trivial matter.
I mean, people can miss a call sometimes, right?
'…Ahem.'
I should buy her something delicious later.
Concluding so, while waiting.
"You all came early today?"
Director Baek Min, who had roughly finished preparing, said while observing the other actors.
Of course, he didn't forget to give his attention first to Seo-hee and Ji-yeon, the leads of today's filming.
For reference, there is a scene I have to film, but in my case, it's the scene that was already shown during the script reading.
"Seo-yeon, you just need to do it like the previous script reading. Ji-yeon, you too."
"Yes."
"You have to show the exact same acting you showed back then. Including the ad-lib."
At those words, I almost let out an "Eck!" without realizing.
'No, that's a bit...'
If it's that ad-lib, she was definitely talking about the time she bit Seo-yeon's finger hard.
It certainly came out well for the scene, but for Seo-yeon, who was bitten, it was truly startling.
Naturally, not because it hurt, but because of that subtle stimulation.
'Of all things...'
Even in the movie I saw with Jo Seo-hee yesterday, there was something similar.
Biting a finger, followed by a rather explicit scene.
And with Seo-yeon's good memory, she remembered such things vividly.
'It's clearly a movie I've never seen in my previous life.'
She could recall visual media from her past life so vividly it was like playing a video in her head.
However, what she saw in her current life was just a normal memory, so she would properly forget what she forgot.
But the movie she saw yesterday came to mind so vividly that she inadvertently wondered if it was a movie she had seen in her past life.
"Hmph, I'll bite it really hard."
Even Lee Ji-yeon was grinding her teeth persistently.
Even if she bit hard, Seo-yeon's skin wouldn't get a scratch.
TS skin is invincible, allowing no wounds whatsoever.
It could be called skin perfect for beauty.
However, she didn't just feel the stimulation properly; she was rather sensitive to it.
This was probably connected to her physical abilities...
'For some reason, I feel a chill.'
Seo-yeon nodded first.
Anyway, Seo-yeon was an actress.
Filming is not playing house.
Even Seo-yeon thought that the acting Director Baek Min demanded was the most appropriate for that scene.
'I must not make a mistake.'
Seo-yeon took a deep breath and slowly got into character.
She still lacked in romantic acting, but at least today's acting didn't have such elements.
***
"The atmosphere at the Korean filming set is hot~."
"There are a lot of people. I wish Japan was a bit like this too."
The staff from Japan's YHJ Broadcasting Station chatted like that and checked their cameras.
First, they had already obtained filming permission, and after filming, they needed to have the Korean staff check it.
It was to check if there were any scenes that could be problematic.
"Today, Joo Seo-yeon's acting scene is short."
"Originally, she has the fewest appearances among the trio."
"Ah~, but is this Taisho? Erm, the era is a bit sensitive. Could it be that?"
"The era is like that, but fortunately, there are no sensitive issues."
Since the setting of the work was during the era of Japanese imperialism, the Japanese side was also sensitive about such parts.
There were more people who watched it without thinking, but if the sensitive side were to point it out for no reason, it could be awkward.
"Anyway, the visuals of the three leads. Wow."
"Hehehe, wow, they all have great visuals. Pretty, right? Of course, Joo Seo-yeon stands out particularly among them."
"Beyond just being 'pretty,' how should I put it? Presence? Aura? She has that kind of thing."
"The other actress next to her is also considerable. Jo Seo-hee? They say she's the top actress in Korea. I feel like I've seen her in a movie that opened in Japan, though."
"Let's see... That's right. It did open in Japan. But the performance was a bit disappointing."
"It's a foreign film, and a Korean film at that. It only made this much because it's a Korean film."
Chatting like that, the staff who had been staring at Seo-hee looked around for a moment.
"She looks like Tomie~."
"Pfft, hehehe. Ah, I, I was going to say that. I wondered who she looked like, and it's exactly that image from the manga."
"Do you know why everyone says Tomie is pretty when they see her in the manga?"
Having such a conversation, the staff looked at the three leads of *Miss Gyeongseong* and moved their cameras.
It meant to be careful with filming since the Korean side was now starting to film in earnest.
"Ah, so only a part of the movie content is allowed? Something like that?"
"To be exact, NG scenes are mostly okay."
"Ah, this is a big deal. I heard a little while coming here, but there are times when Joo Seo-yeon doesn't make a single NG in an entire shoot."
"Ehhh? Really? Amazing, a genius actress."
Thinking that the footage might not be as much as they thought.
The Japanese staff started moving their cameras.
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And then.
"Okay, that's enough. Next... well, let's postpone Seo-hee and Ji-yeon's scene for a bit. Let's film Seo-yeon and Ji-yeon's scene first. This scene is short, so it seems like it'll finish quickly."
For reference, the mansion that is the setting for today's filming is the mansion of the 'Kasugayama Family,' where 'Kasugayama Yuina' mainly appears in the work.
In Amanabi Michiko's case, she visits Yuina's mansion for another reason.
Of course, at this time, Yeon Seon-ye hides herself so that Michiko doesn't find out that she and Yuina are connected.
However, before filming that scene.
"It's scene number S# 17 that we read before. Please bring in the slate."
Previously, it was ordinary casual clothes.
But the current Seo-yeon was completely different.
A young lady, and Yuina was a more traditional Japanese young lady than Michiko.
Unlike Michiko, who mainly wore Western clothing, Yuina generally wore kimonos.
Moreover, she favored kimonos with red butterflies drawn on them.
Holding a fan in her hand and wearing a kimono with a red butterfly pattern on a black background, Seo-yeon looked like a painting.
Sure enough, a small exclamation of "Oh~" came from the Japanese side.
There was also an atmosphere urging the camera to quickly film her.
"Are we filming this too?"
"Huh? Ah, we didn't film this, but we will."
Since the Japanese side was filming it, there was a mood that this side had to film it too.
Anyway, the attention went up even more, and the burden on the actors grew stronger.
'How nervous must the leads be?'
As everyone watched with such eyes, Lee Ji-yeon, who stood at her designated spot, took a deep breath.
'No...'
I'm probably the only one who's nervous.
At a slightly farther spot, Seo-yeon's figure sitting quietly in a seat where a noble young lady would sit was motionless.
'She's so infuriatingly pretty.'
White face.
Plus, from what she knew, 'Yuina' was originally a young lady who enjoyed luxury, so she wore kimonos with flashy colors.
But the kimono Yuina was wearing now had a relatively static feel.
Red butterfly patterns on a black background.
A rather heavy-feeling outfit.
However, that kimono matched Seo-yeon's white skin.
Pitch-black hair.
And finally, her red eyes, so perfectly.
They must have decided to coordinate the outfit that best suited the actress, even if it meant sacrificing some of the settings.
On the other hand, her role, Yeon Seon-ye, was as plain as her setting.
She even covered up her potentially sharp impression with makeup as much as possible.
She also relaxed her expression to the point where she looked a bit foolish.
Because her acting shouldn't be hidden for no reason due to her impression or face.
'She probably didn't feel any tension.'
The slate clapped, and the sounds of other staff moving and whispering.
And the director's head nodded.
Lee Ji-yeon had never seen Joo Seo-yeon get nervous during filming.
She had heard rumors that she made an NG, but at least Ji-yeon had never seen it.
To that extent, Seo-yeon was always close to perfect in her acting.
'I have to be more intense than before.'
Yuina's presence was greater than during the reading.
The intense presence that couldn't be shown with the school uniform she wore back then was now felt from Yuina.
In the work, the villain who appears on the surface.
Unlike Goto Isamu, who at least appears to be on Yeon Seon-ye's side in the beginning, Yuina is a villain in name and reality.
'This, anyone would be deceived.'
Lee Ji-yeon wasn't the only one who thought this.
The other staff thought so too.
"Then, we'll start filming."
With calm Director Baek Min's words, the cue sign came out.
Breathing in, organizing her breath.
Looking straight ahead.
Meeting the red eyes looking back at her.
"You're here, the dog Isamu brought."
A voice like singing.
A vocalization that gave goosebumps the moment she heard it.
Lee Ji-yeon inadvertently swallowed a dry gulp, but it was a natural action that looked like acting.
'Let's get a grip.'
Lee Ji-yeon gathered her mind and continued her lines.
"Yes, my lady. It is my first time meeting you. I, I am called Yeon Seon-ye."
"What would you do if I didn't know the Korean language?"
"B-but at first..."
"To judge me based merely on that, hmph. I wonder if you'll be able to do your job properly."
Tapping, tap, she speaks while tapping the pipe in her hand.
Her appearance was so elegant that it naturally felt like she was treating Yeon Seon-ye as insignificant.
A looking-down gaze.
Jo Seo-hee, who quietly watched the series of scenes, realized.
When filming *Sky Garden* before, the upper-class party she had taken her to for reference.
That she was utilizing what she had seen there right now.
"So, you'll be able to earn a large sum of money that will let you live comfortably for the rest of your life."
The scene continues, and the scene from the script reading comes out.
"My, why no words? If you're a stray dog on the street, you should be quietly wagging your tail to your master's words like a stray dog should."
An even more sticky and viscous tone.
With the hand not holding the pipe, she sweeps her chin like before, and then her lips.
'Now.'
Immersed in the acting, Lee Ji-yeon reflexively bit Seo-yeon's finger like that time.
"…Uht."
Last time it was a "Kyah," but now it was an even smaller groan.
Huh, something's different.
Looking at Seo-yeon, her eyes slanted, the space between her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
Softly biting her lower lip.
Cheeks flushed reddish, she was gently rubbing the finger that was just bitten with her thumb.
A face like a young lady who had suffered a great humiliation.
This, how should I put it.
It suits her really well, but...
It's different from the acting direction I heard at first?
"Ahem, let's go again."
Sure enough, an NG sign came out.
Lee Ji-yeon was flustered.
No way.
That Joo Seo-yeon, of all people, would make an NG.
But, it couldn't be helped.
Because.
"Joo Seo-yeon, why is your acting so erotic."
"……"
At those words, Seo-yeon glared at Lee Ji-yeon with resentful eyes.
Of course, Lee Ji-yeon was dumbfounded.
'Why is she glaring at me? She's the one who made the mistake.'
Seeing Ji-yeon similarly snort "Hmph," Seo-yeon felt unjust.
Well, she had heard such acting direction, so what could she do?
Because she knew what scene was coming up...
'It's because I unnecessarily focused on my finger.'
Feeling unjust, Seo-yeon glanced and glared at Jo Seo-hee.
This was all Jo Seo-hee's fault for showing her such a movie yesterday.
She couldn't help but try to think so.
Because, in her acting life, this was the first time she had made such an embarrassing NG.