S107

Society Protocol 07

Casting

Not long after Min-hyuk started attending acting school, he received a request to be an extra.

This time, it wasn't just a regular part-time job; it was a professional request made through the academy.

It wasn't a role where he simply passed by in the background, but one that required someone who could deliver lines and display facial expressions near the protagonist.

However, since it wasn't a minor role he would be participating in continuously, it was classified as an extra role.

The pay was the same as his part-time job, but this time, the director was aware of who was appearing,

and at the very least, where they were sent from. Since doing well could lead to future opportunities,

The academy had decided to select what they considered to be the elites to proceed with the role.

It was because if a significantly underperforming student went and ruined the academy's image, the academy might be excluded entirely in the future.

The project cast was a contemporary drama, and the scene being filmed was one where the male protagonist in his twenties introduces his girlfriend to his friends.

It was a scene commonly seen in dramas, where his friends hit him on the head in envy while looking at his girlfriend.

The lead actors were the most popular male and female actors at the time, and although the ratings were unknown since the drama had not yet aired, it was considered a highly anticipated work.

Extras often bring their own costumes to match the atmosphere of their appearance.

While they naturally wear provided outfits for historical dramas, they must prepare their own for contemporary productions.

However, for this particular shoot, he was informed in advance that he did not need to bring his own, as the costumes would be provided.

The filming location was not a broadcasting station set, but a cafe downtown.

It appeared to be a product placement (PPL) set, as it was a franchise cafe operated by the advertiser.

Min-hyuk was walking to the filming location while talking on the phone with Mi-hee.

“Yeah, yeah, but I’m not sure when it’ll end.What? Of course I want to see you.

Hey, that’s ridiculous. No matter how pretty an actor is, they can’t shine brighter than you. Huh? Of course I’m not getting an autograph.

I’m absolutely not getting one. Okay, I’ll call you once it’s over. I’ll text you whenever I get a chance, depending on the situation.

Right, see you if we can, and if it’s too late, we can just see each other earlier next time. Yeah, sure. I’ll text you. Yeah, sure.”

The two, who had become a couple after their first meeting, met every weekend,

and sometimes even at the cafe where Min-hyuk worked part-time.

Mi-hee was neither particularly surprised nor worried by Min-hyuk’s words that he wanted to become an actor.

She simply nodded, thinking, ‘So that is why he was so immersed in the play.’

Still, she had no major complaints because he almost always did whatever she asked whenever they met.

However, the problem was that if she didn't meet Min-hyuk, Mi-hee had nothing special to do.

Today, she had planned to go to the library specifically and study like a proper student.

Just then, Mi-hee's mother called out to her.

“Mi-hee, are you on a date again today?”

“Oh, Mom. Anyone listening would think I’m always out having fun. I’m going to the library to study today. I have to hurry to secure a seat.”

“Mi-hee, wait. Let’s study later. Let’s go somewhere with me today.”

“Yeah, where?”

“I’m going to say hello to the pastor. I heard he’s organized a small gathering to celebrate the students who just got into college. I was hesitant to tell you because you’re so busy, but this works out well. Let’s go together.”

“Huh? I feel a bit pressured.”

“If the pastor invites us, we’re not losing anything at all. It’s the kind of atmosphere where they give scholarships to families in need, so you go and put on a pretty face like you’re struggling, and don’t wear anything too expensive.”

“Oh, really. Okay, fine, I’ll dress like a model student. But what time are we going?”

“It looks like they’re going to chat and have a meal, so we have to be there by 11:30. Get ready. It takes you a long time to get ready.”

“It doesn’t take me long to get ready. Alright.”

Mi-hee thought as she went to take a shower.

[Minhyuk's filming won't finish until evening at the earliest. I can just have lunch, go to the library, and see him then. It's not like we're going to have a celebratory gathering all day long. It'll probably just be a meal and a quick greeting.]

It was a church she wasn't particularly devout about, but she didn't dislike it either.

Since they said they would congratulate her, she should go and accept it gratefully.

Since childhood, the church had always given out gifts, no matter how small. It was always a place she went to receive something.

Of course, her parents would pay for it, but the children didn't really care about that.

Mi-hee considered wearing jeans, but wanting to show off how pretty she had become as a college student,

she decided to wear a dress.

Min-hyuk entered the filming location and stood with a student from the same academy whom he had seen a few times in passing.

After being in an unfamiliar place where no one knew him, he was glad to meet someone he at least had a slight recognizable face.

The male lead actor was getting his makeup done. Once the actor's makeup was finished, it was their turn.

“Get your costumes ready before you get your makeup done. For the student in the middle, this would be good. The size should fit roughly. Put this on and come over to me for confirmation. Now, for the student next to you, go a bit more casual.”

Min-hyuk received a brown semi-formal outfit and changed in the dressing room.

The costumes for historical dramas were musty clothes, with no telling who had worn them or when they had last been washed,

but the current outfit was quite fresh and luxurious.

“Ah, that outfit is sponsored, so you can’t get it dirty. If you ruin it, you’ll have to pay for it. Be careful. It’s okay if it gets a little dirty, but you can’t get stains.”

The coordinator shouted from outside the makeshift tent serving as the changing room.

“Yes, understood.”

Min-hyuk thought for a moment about whether or not to answer, then let out a loud shout.

Hearing Min-hyuk’s voice, the director looked toward the changing room curtain.

Just then, Min-hyuk pulled back the curtain and stepped out. The director of this drama was a woman.

She was a director whose stock was rising after working as an assistant director for a long time and recently directing several hit melodramas.

Since the project involved collaborating with the writer of a previous work in succession, casting was relatively easy.

It was the director who suggested dressing the extras in sponsored outfits, the kind usually reserved for lead or supporting actors.

He strongly requested this from the sponsors because he believed the atmosphere would definitely be ruined if only the lead actors stood out in semi-formal attire while their friends wore shabby clothes.

The sponsors had no reason to object, as it meant increased exposure.

The problem was that, unlike the main characters, the sizes weren't clearly defined, so they had to send a few extra sets.

However, fortunately, the extras who arrived this time looked great in the clothes.

The director felt a radiance in his eyes as Min-hyuk emerged from the dressing room wearing a designer semi-formal suit.

The director stood up from his seat and approached Min-hyuk.

“You’re from the academy, right? I’m the director here.”

Min-hyuk was about to go to the stylist to have his clothes inspected when he saw the director, bowed ninety degrees, and smiled.

That smile appealed to the director.

“Fit your outfit first, and before you get your hair or shoes ready, go sit on the chair over there in front of the camera. I’ll be waiting.”

After having his outfit checked, Min-hyuk went and sat in the spot designated by the director. Min-hyuk’s profile was visible on the camera.

“Now, turn your head slightly and look at the camera.”

Min-hyuk turned his head and looked at the camera. The director, who had been watching the monitor screen, spoke to the camera director.

“Zoom in. Go into bust, then close-up. No, stay in bust a little longer. Uh, okay, now close-up.”

Min-hyuk's upper body appeared on the monitor, and as the camera zoomed in, his face filled the screen.

Min-hyuk smiled.

“Hey, don't smile. Put on a serious face. Oh, really? Now, would you like to rest your chin on your left hand? Right, tilt your head a little further to the right.”

“Not bad.”

The director spoke to the cinematographer.

He appeared innocent like a child, but when he shifted his expression to a serious one, he looked like a cold, tough guy.

The voice heard from behind the curtain just moments ago wasn't bad either.

He was a director who believed that a lead actor's voice was important.

“Switch to a full shot. When I give the signal, stand up and face forward.”

Min-hyuk remained seated without changing his posture.

“Roll the camera.”

“Are you going to shoot right now?”

The camera director looked up from the viewfinder in surprise.

“Roll the camera quickly. Alright, get ready, action.”

Min-hyuk recalled the director's cue he had heard in his childhood.

He had to stay still, as he needed to give the director a certain editing point.

After pausing for a moment, he pushed his chair back slightly and stood up.

He stood there for a moment, making a slight tilt of his neck, and then began to walk slowly toward the side of the camera.

His experience as a children's clothing model also helped.

He must never look at the camera; instead, he must lower his chin and stare intently straight ahead.

And when walking, he must never shrug his shoulders.

And walk with confidence.

The director thought to himself.

[I could give him a role. I should at least see how he delivers his lines.]

“Okay, cut. Go sit back down.”

The director gave his directions using polite language that was almost like informal speech.

“Assistant Director, go tell the sound director to come over.”

While the sound director was setting up the microphone, the director looked at Min-hyuk and began giving his directions.

“Alright, let’s do a quick rehearsal before the microphone comes on. Try repeating the lines I’m saying.

Since you’re a student, just do what you’ve learned. Alright, let’s begin. What you did to me wasn’t betrayal, it was murder. Here, say it.”

Usually, when given lines like this, most people would shout intensely, boiling up their fierce emotions.

But Min-hyuk was different.

**Suddenly, his gaze changed; he glared, but as he said “It wasn’t betrayal,” his strength gradually drained away,

and by the time he said “It was murder,” he gave off a sense of utter despondency, as if he had completely given up.

[What’s wrong with this kid?]

“Alright, this time, I won’t let you go. I’ll torment you by your side for the rest of your life. Alright, start.”

Min-hyuk acted differently from expectations once again.

Usually, the line “I’ll torment you” expresses rage burning with a desire for revenge, but Min-hyuk was a little different.

There was a sense of pathos in his words about tormenting him for the rest of his life.

The director’s heart pounded for a moment.

The sound director finished setting up, and the boom microphone went up.

The microphone attached to the pole had risen right above Min-hyuk’s head.

“Okay, since the sound is coming through this time, clear your throat for a moment. Drink some water if you need it. Look directly at the camera and introduce yourself.”

Looking at the camera, Min-hyuk spoke briefly but confidently, as if giving a presentation, about his name, school, and the acting he had done during his childhood.

The director thought for a moment as she watched Min-hyuk.

“Min-hyuk? Today, the lead actor will be sitting in the chair in the middle of the table.

Then, you sit to the left of the lead actor.

And when you speak to the lead actor, you’ll turn your head, so it will be facing the camera, right?

Then, while showing a bright expression and sincerely congratulating him,

at the same time, briefly look at his girlfriend, make a surprised face, and then look back at the lead actor—just a tiny bit.

“Send a look of jealousy. Got it? Can you do it?”

“Yes, Director, I’ll give it a try.”

The director felt as though she had struck gold with an unopened item at a second-hand market.

“Assistant Director, try calling the writer. If you can get through, hand the phone over.”

The lead actor, who was getting his makeup done, also watched the director from behind. At first, he wondered what was going on, but

after watching Min-hyuk continue acting, he lightly pinched his lower lip with his right hand.

It was a habit he had whenever an idea struck him.

He sent a text message to the manager at headquarters.

[General Manager, if you have time, it would be great if you could come to the set for a moment. You can ask the Road Manager for the location. I don't really know either. Haha.]

The emoticon was smiling, but the person in question was not smiling.

The director was connected to the writer on the phone and was talking to her.

“Writer? It’s me. Uh, you know that scene we’re filming today, the one at the coffee shop where they introduce a friend.

I need to add a few lines for one of the friends. What? Hey, I’m doing it because it makes sense. Just send it for now.

With lines that give off a vibe of being a bit jealous and trying to steal the other.

Not too obvious, just enough to show a slight covetousness. I’ll send it to you right after we shoot today.

Of course, the final decision is yours, Writer. Of course.

It’ll only take ten minutes, right? What? Just give me the script. Just write it down and send it to me via email.

Because I can check it right away on set. Alright. As expected, there’s no one like you, Ms. [Writer]. I’ll contact you later.”

Min-hyuk proceeded to get his makeup done after the lead actor.

The makeup artist, who was tasked with applying a slightly more delicate touch at the director's instruction, pinned his hair back and began applying his makeup.

It was the first time he had received proper makeup since childhood.

He felt quite good. Min-hyuk imagined the lines he had just spoken in his mind.

In that imagination, the female lead's heart had already become his.