Aura of a Genius Actor

༺ It Wasn’t the Movie ༻

Scene 109.

Yeonjeong was the ballerina the Phantom chose after Hwaran.

She approached Hwaran and whispered in a friendly tone.

“That person… you know about him too, right?”

“I’ve seen behind his mask, and it was horrifyingly hideous.”

“I admit that he’s great at ballet, but hiding like that is suspicious… Aren’t you scared, senior?”

Hwaran sensed what was underneath those whispers.

There was the arrogance of thinking, ‘I am the next chosen one after you,’ the selfishness of only wanting to reap the benefits of an opportunity, and the ulterior motive of getting close to her under that pretext.

‘Someone like you, who belittles his worth based on his appearance…’

She gritted her teeth.

During lessons, he occasionally dropped such remarks.

‘The highest jete was done by Do Shin-jeong.’

‘The most beautiful Odette was performed by Seo Hee-won.’

Whenever she heard those comments, Hwaran was seized with intense jealousy.

She wished the God of ballet would only see her, but he had already gone through a long history.

“I’ve decided to date Soobin, who plays the role of Albrecht.”

She mentioned that out of pettiness, a twisted defiance to show that she could look elsewhere too.

However, not long after, she witnessed it: the lesson with the new ballerina chosen by the Phantom.

Arghhhhh—

She let out an inner scream, one she couldn’t voice out.

Like the crazed Giselle.

Giselle had a weak heart and died of madness, but Hwaran was healthy.

Mad as she was, she wouldn’t die; instead, she would stab Bathilde (Albrecht’s fiancée).

Scene 110.

“Moon Yeonjeong, can you get my hairband?”

“Huh? Where is that…?”

“Check around the light winch behind the stage. I think I left it there earlier.”

“Yes, senior.”

Unaware of her intentions, the slender figure in a tutu quickly headed behind the stage, like a handmaiden who didn’t want to offend the seemingly irritated ‘Prima Donna.’

Then,

“Aaaahhh—!”

It was easy.

A member of the corps de ballet (dance ensemble) was easily replaced by another waiting ballerina. She had climbed to this position exactly to avoid that.

On the stretcher being carried away, the white tutu, now gradually stained with red blood, was captured in a close-up.

Hwaran’s twisted smile was captured in the final shot.

*

“Scene 110.5 is next!”

It was the added scene.

Although Yoomyeong insisted on including ‘The Phantom’s Gaze’, the script hadn’t changed much. He merely showcased a different interpretation of the character through subtle tones in dialogue and eye acting.

Only two scenes were added.

Those were scene 38.5, with the cherry blossoms where Phantom’s obsession began, and the one they were currently filming, scene 110.5.

Phantom’s reaction after Hwaran trapped Yeonjeong.

She dealt with Yeonjeong, unaware that he was watching. However, from a height, a blurry figure swiftly passed through the tilted crevice in the ceiling.

After the camera zoomed in as if observing a distant figure,

“Wire team, get ready and let go as soon as you get the cue!”

Yoomyeong, strapped with wires,

Whoosh—

Leapt and landed smoothly into another shadowy part of the theater.

Once the wire was edited out in post-production, all that would remain was the Phantom, who was moving about the theater as if it were his own home.

The camera followed him into the dark corner where he landed, wobbling uneasily.

Adapting to the darkness, the focus sharpened, gradually revealing the Phantom’s unmasked face.

Half of his face was grotesquely distorted.

The twisted side of his face breaks into a sly smile, as if cheering for Hwa-ran’s wicked deed.

The final shot captured the gleaming white teeth revealed between his upturned lips.

“Cut! Okay!”

After several jumps, the perfect shot was achieved.

Director Ki Do reviewed it on the monitor and gave the final okay.

And then,

“That’s a wrap! Great job, everyone!”

“Whooooo!”

Late June. <Ballerina High> was finally wrapped up.

It was three months of filming and almost six months in total, including preparation.

Both Yoomyeong and Seryeon, who had major roles, had immersed themselves in this film for almost half a year.

The main actors, who were overflowing with emotion, hugged each other tightly.

“Me too, me too—”

Director Choi brought over the slightly awkward-looking Director Ki and joined the hug.

They were followed by the crew, who were in particularly high spirits throughout this shoot.

Soon, they all became one big group, with the camera set up to capture behind-the-scenes footage recording their jubilant moment.

*

“How about we go see the sea?”

On the day after the post-production recording (a process of re-recording sounds in a studio when they weren’t cleanly captured during live recording) was finished, Seryeon made an unexpected proposal.

It might be a while before he saw Seryeon again, so Yoomyeong readily agreed.

Despite the intense heat of mid-July, the car’s interior was comfortable. Seryeon, who had brought along her flashy red sports car, skillfully drove out of the congested city.

“Wow, you’re a good driver.”

“It hasn’t been long since I got my driver’s license, but I got better quickly because I’ve been driving a lot.”

“I should probably get my license, too…”

Having driven for nearly 10 years, he’d only need to brush up on the written test. The only car he ever owned was an almost-junked secondhand car worth 500,000 won, bought out of necessity for moving around the filming locations.

After arriving in Gangneung, they had sashimi for a late lunch.

“If we’re having sashimi, it has to be with soju! Auntie, one bottle of soju here, please.”

“What about driving?”

“I’ll call a designated driver.”

‘A designated driver all the way from Gangneung to Seoul? The privileged sure are in a different class altogether…’

Yoomyeong silently took a piece of the sashimi and tasted it. The fresh sashimi, eaten by the seaside, melted softly in his mouth and was like nothing he’d ever tasted before.

“To the success of ‘Ballerina High’—”

“To its success—”

The clear sound of soju glasses clinking together echoed.

Seryeon, who was surprisingly a good drinker, downed her drink in one go.

“Whew… that hits the spot.”

With a voice that seemed oddly husky for her, Seryeon exclaimed. Yoomyeong chuckled and asked her.

“Do you actually care about the movie’s box office success, sister? You don’t seem too eager to recoup the investment.”

“What are you talking about? Of course I’m going to collect it like a miser… just kidding. I always thought of it as a passion project, so I naturally assumed it would lose money… but the director says otherwise. Even if it’s not a blockbuster, he plans to make it profitable enough to surpass the investment.”

“Director Ki’s ambition is quite something. It won’t be easy…”

“That’s why I have high hopes. He seemed fired up.”

“He might actually pull it off.”

“Then I should ask for a guarantee.”

As they exchanged lighthearted banter, she suddenly brought up a topic.

“The film was fun.”

“It was, right? But our shooting atmosphere was especially good; which I’m sure isn’t the case everywhere.”

“Let’s go see a movie.”

“All of a sudden?”

“I’m curious about something. Let’s go now.”

Seeing her hurry, Yoomyeong asked.

“Which movie will we watch? Do you have any movie in mind?”

“It doesn’t matter. Pick whatever you want to watch.”

“Alright… How about ‘Family Life’?”

<Family Life>

At a cinema in Gangneung downtown, Yoomyeong picked a movie with a rating of 7.1.

It was a genre blending comedy and familial love and also a movie Yoomyeong had wanted to watch after the shoot.

The reasons for its low ratings were…

— I went to see this movie because I trusted Yoon Hansung despite the bad premiere reviews, but I was disappointed.

— Wasn’t he known for his acting skills? His acting seems to have regressed. I wonder if it’s because of the character compatibility…

It had a running time of 115 minutes.

After watching the movie which had garnered much criticism, Yoomyeong smiled knowingly.

Hansung was in a transitional phase.

The way he approached his character had changed.

Seeing a seasoned actor in their late 30s who had already solidified their reputation discard their established methods and learn a new way to act was truly impressive.

‘There are really some amazing people out there.’

Watching Seryeon as she gazed at Hansung on screen, Yoomyeong felt grateful for his good fortune.

Compared to his precarious past life, he had met so many wonderful people in just one year.

People who cautiously, but steadily, treaded on an uncertain and dark path.

He wanted to be like them.

*

“It wasn’t about the movie after all.”

“Pardon?”

After watching the movie, they went to a place where they decided to have some dinner and drinks. Then, Seryeon candidly spoke.

“While filming the movie, it was more fun than I expected, so I thought maybe I was interested in that field… but it was just because it’s a ‘ballet movie’.”

As if confirming a known fact, she calmly continued.

“It seems I really can’t do anything other than ballet.”

She spoke with a strength that seemed like accepting a predetermined fate.

At that, Yoomyeong nodded in understanding.

Perhaps it was a shared sentiment among those who weren’t just choosing an art, but being chosen by it.

“Are you… going to start rehabilitation?”

Even though he was aware she had already started, Yoomyeong asked, pretending not to know.

“I’m not sure about 15 years… but I’m planning to try for at least two years. I’ve wasted two years after retiring, anyway.”

She tilted her head, her long hair falling to one side, and gave a playful, half-hearted laugh.

“I’m pretty, and I don’t have to worry about making a living. Isn’t it okay to waste that much time?”

Even while boasting in such a haughty manner, the surface of the drink in her glass was rippling.

Her hands were trembling.

The determination she mustered up to vocalize her resolve for the pain ahead was evident.

It wasn’t unpleasant to hear.

Because he knew that she could forsake beauty and a wealthy background if only she could dance.

“You were my first partner.”

“…Yes.”

“You’re someone I think is both cool and beautiful.”

“…”

“I’m very proud that both those identities belong to the same person.”

Hearing his serious response to her joke, she met his gaze.

His eyes were sincere.

Seryeon smiled.

“Because of what you just said, I’ll add another year. So, three years.”

“…Haha.”

One drink.

Then another.

The alcohol flowed.

Their conversation ranged from behind-the-scenes stories from the set,

“Isn’t it funny when Director Ki flinches every time cinematographer Choi uses formal language with him?”

To interpretations of the film,

“Hwaran is like the darkness inside me. I might never fully let go of my resentment towards the people who take for granted the opportunities I’d die for… but I’ve already lived through it in the movie as Hwaran. Now, I want to live my way.”

As the night and alcohol deepened, their conversation became more honest.

And then…

“Thank you, Yoomyeong.”

Yoomyeong silently looked at her.

“The Phantom I originally imagined was an absolute being, akin to ballet itself. An entity like a force of nature that I couldn’t stop pursuing even if I wasn’t chosen.”

“But you showed me a Phantom that wasn’t perfect, yet had the same obsession with Hwaran. That Phantom… was a ‘human’ Phantom. One that I wanted to comfort and be comforted by.”

Her voice was calm.

“After tonight, I’ll stand alone without relying on anyone. For a long time, I won’t cling to God or any person; I’ll trust only in my time and effort and remain strong.”

Yet, her delicate hand gripped Yoomyeong’s collar.

Her hand shook.

“But just for this last night… I want to be with my Phantom.”

“…Would you… stay… with me tonight?”

Her voice wavered at the end.

Yoomyeong gently unclasped her tightly-fisted hand and held it in his own.

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