Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

Chapter 69: On Set (1)

It has been three days since the crank-in of Blue Sky.

Today marked the start of filming episode two, featuring Yoo-Jin's first appearance. As I waited for Yoo-Jin while she was getting her makeup touched up by the stylist, I checked out the entertainment news articles that were filling the web.

[Blue Sky Begins Filming!]

[The Fearless Rookie Writer Kim Soll-Ip of Blue Sky Aims to Surpass Her Mentor, Writer Lee Ji-Yeon.]

[The Heroine of The Human Stories, Jung Yoo-Jin. Will She Be the Heroine in Blue Sky Too?]

[Jung Yoo-Jin, Overcoming Pain with a Bright Smile. Pledges to Repay the Excessive Love from Viewers with Good Acting.]

Most articles were favorable towards Blue Sky and Yoo-Jin. But as expected, Jang Moon-Ki had a different style.

[Shocking! Jung Yoo-Jin: "Miso, actually..."]

[Exclusive. Jung Yoo-Jin. The Person She Loves the Most is...]

[Sensational Report. Jung Yoo-Jin. The Secret Location of her Mole...]

[Ranked No.1 for Best School Uniform Looks Among Korean Actresses!!]

Jang Moon-Ki had mastered the art of creating attention-grabbing headlines to draw the netizens' interest. Thanks to him, Yoo-Jin was currently topping the live search rankings. Fortunately, most comments on the articles were criticizing Jang Moon-Ki, not Yoo-Jin.

(Comments)

-Wow, Reporter Jang Moon-Ki, you've really outdone yourself. A master of clickbait.

-A real fisherman of people.

-Jung Yoo-Jin’s favorite person being Miso is an article? I got hooked by the title but there’s nothing interesting here.

-Miso, actually... your mom is an actress? Are you kidding me?

-I agree that she looks best in school uniforms.

-A mole on the sole of her foot is a secret? Really?

-Another big catch. Today’s fishing is a hit. Flap flap.

-Lol. What was he thinking with these titles?

"Jang Moon-Ki. Just as I had expected, you're the best at clickbait titles."

Admiring Jang Moon-Ki's clickbait prowess, I turned my attention back to the filming location.

The child actors who filled the set yesterday were all gone and cannot be used as an excuse for the viewership ratings for the upcoming broadcasts.

Kang Soo-Hoon fiddled with his dry lips with a nervous expression."Miss Yung-In, I’m counting on you."

"Yes, Mr. Kang. I’ll do my best."

After Kang Soo-Hoon checked the readiness of the production staff, he grabbed the megaphone. "Alright, then. Scene thirteen. Ready~ Action!"

Ju Yung-In, dressed in a school uniform and carrying a bag, started acting. She played the role of Kim Sky, the eldest daughter at Sky Pork Ribs who had a unique taste of never eating meat despite her family running a barbecue restaurant. She was a bit selfish but intelligent and was recognized for her academic prowess.

When the shoot began, Ju Yung-In transformed into Kim Sky, full of the unique angsty characteristic of a high school girl. As Ju Yung-In continued her performance, the staff’s faces started showing signs of amazement.

And when Lee Sa-Rang joined in the acting, their astonishment turned into admiration.

The renowned actress Lee Sa-Rang was recently known for playing mother and mother-in-law roles, but in her youth, she was a popular main lead just like Ju Yung-In. Famous for her bold ad-libs that never disrupted the main narrative, she was considered a genius actress.

As Lee Sa-Rang performed the mother's role with her solid acting foundation from her child actress years, sighs of relief were heard around the set.

Kang Soo-Hoon grabbed the megaphone with a thrilled look on his face. "Cut! Miss Yung-In, Mrs. Sa-Rang. Great work, both of you."

As the first scene with only adult actors wrapped up, a loud round of applause echoed among the staff.

Despite Ju Yung-In's personality, her acting was beyond reproach.

I called Yoo-Jin who was engrossed in reading her script while sitting on the standby chair. "Yoo-Jin, it's almost your turn. Get ready."

Yoo-Jin, dressed in a school uniform, merely nodded without taking her eyes off the script. "Just a moment. I'm a bit nervous."

"Just do as usual. And it's okay even if it doesn't go well. I'll find you a better role if needed."

Yoo-Jin playfully responded to my lighthearted joke. "Ah, really. If I fail, will it be your fault?"

"Yeah, yeah."

However, I didn’t really think she would fail. We did a fist bump for encouragement.

Then, Yoo-Jin asked again, "But don’t you think you’re trusting me too much?"

"A talent agent should definitely trust their actress."

"This time, I'm truly moved. Watch me, I'll do my best."

That was when it happened.

"Miss Jung Yoo-Jin, please get ready!"

Yoo-Jin stood up when Assistant Director Yang Soon-Ho called her over.

"You got this. I’m rooting for you!"

Yoo-Jin's performance was in no way inferior to Ju Yung-In's. Her character, Twilight, the second daughter, was clumsy and flawed but loved by everyone for her cheerful nature and helpfulness at home. Her only grievance in life was that her parents' attention seemed solely focused on her older sister, Sky.

As Yoo-Jin's performance, mixed with laughter and tears, unfolded, the staff's expressions brightened even more. Her acting skills were clearly on par with Ju Yung-In's.

"Cut~ Okay! Miss Yoo-Jin, please keep it up like this. Okay?"

"Thank you!"

The cinematographer, Lee Seong-Hwan, especially praised the way Yoo-Jin appeared on camera.

"Her young age really suits the high school student role. Her expressions are different from the other actors. How many years has it been since you graduated?"

"It’s been four years."

Lee Sung-Hwan was surprised. "What? It’s been that long?"

"Haha. Thank you for thinking I look young."

Lee Seong-Hwan chuckled, saying Yoo-Jin’s acting reminded him of his own daughter.

"Does your daughter give you a hard time too? Like me?"

Yoo-Jin's playful comment made Lee Seong-Hwan sigh deeply before fiddling with his camera. "My daughter... she's a good kid."

His joke made all the staff burst into laughter.

After the shoot, Yoo-Jin continued to engage in a friendly chat with the staff. Watching Yoo-Jin blend in effortlessly with everyone around her, Ju Yung-In frowned once more perhaps because she felt a tinge of jealousy.

‘Don’t blame others. It’s your personality that’s the issue.’

Yoo-Jin let out a deep sigh when she came back to her chair.

"Sigh, as expected. I still feel like I'm not getting the hang of it."

‘What? If that’s her level when she thinks she's not getting the hang of it, how much better could she possibly get?’

"From my perspective, you did very well."

"That's because you're on my side, oppa. It's different in reality, you know?"

It seemed beyond my ability to judge. But I knew I could still help with some things. Just as important as managing her filmography was giving her mental support.

"Don’t worry too much. You did great. And for the next scene with Mrs. Lee Sa-Rang, just think of it as a learning experience. Relax your shoulders."

Just then, Assistant Director Jung Mi-Sun hurried over.

"Miss Yoo-Jin, quickly change your outfit and get ready for the next scene please."

"Okay! Let's go!"

I followed Yoo-Jin with a blanket as she went to get changed. Exiting the changing room, Yoo-Jin transformed into a part-timer at Sky Pork Ribs.

Because the scene involved grilling pork ribs using charcoal, smoky air filled the set.

"Be careful when changing the charcoal, Mr. Beom-Gyu. You might get burned if it breaks."

"Don't worry. I've been handling charcoal since I was a kid. It's been a while. This is kind of nostalgic."

Playing the dad, Jung Beom-Gyu applied burn-prevention cream to his hands and picked up the charcoal tongs.

Clank, clank.

Every movement of the black tongs scattered ash everywhere

Yoo-Jin, dressed as a part-timer, held tongs and a grill, while Lee Sa-Rang, playing the mom, stood with a tray of side dishes.

"Alright, everyone. This is Scene twenty-two. Be careful with the fire. And extras, just chat casually. Ready!"

As the call sign dropped, Jung Beom-Gyu holding the charcoal tongs successfully replaced the charcoal on a customer's table.

A supporting actor playing the role of a regular customer started a playful conversation.

『Hey! I heard Sky topped her class again. I was so jealous I couldn’t sleep!』

Lee Sa-Rang, setting up side dishes on a table, burst into laughter.

『Did you already hear the news? Hahaha.』

『Yep, my daughter told me. Sigh, my child is always last. I'm so embarrassed I can't show my face around the neighborhood.』

『I’m so jealous. If only my eldest son was half as good as Sky. You must send your first daughter to Seoul National University.』

Lee Sa-Rang responded to the regular customer's compliments by calling out toward the kitchen.

『Honey! Please add some extra service dishes to table 2!』

Then, the brightly smiling regular customer turned to Yoo-Jin who was holding the grill.

『But what about your second daughter's grades?』

Lee Sa-Rang's expression soured at the unexpected question.

Based on the script, Yoo-Jin would deflect and change the topic in this scene. But at that moment, Lee Sa-Rang started improvising.

『She's always last in class! She's not good at studying unlike her older sister.』

The sudden change in script startled the production staff. But the unfazed Yoo-Jin smoothly continued acting without even blinking her eyes as if she had become Twilight herself.

『Mom! Why would you say that?!』

Yoo-Jin, holding the grill, burst into feigned anger.

Kang Soo-Hoon silently raised his hand and calmed the crew’s nerves. It wasn't a cut but hinted at a continuation of the scene. Everyone swallowed hard as they watched the interaction between the two actresses.

『How dare you yell at your mom?』

After finishing setting up the side dishes on the table, Lee Sa-Rang slapped Yoo-Jin on the back with her hand as she scolded her.

Slap!

Yoo-Jin, still holding the grill and tongs in both hands, squirmed in pain.

『Ow! Why did you hit me? Ouch! Ouch! It hurts!』

Yoo-Jin wriggled like an octopus but did not drop the grill and tongs, displaying her professional part-timer skills. Yoo-Jin's actions almost made the staff burst into laughter. But they had to struggle to hold it in as the scene continued.

『Why are you making such a fuss? Hurry up and serve the grill!』

『Are you really my mother? Your daughter is in pain! And why did you mention my grades, huh?! I'm so embarrassed. How am I supposed to go to school tomorrow?』

『Then am I not your mother? Am I your stepmother? If you're embarrassed, why don't you study like your sister, huh?』

As Yoo-Jin complained about Lee Sa-Rang telling everyone in the neighborhood about her grades, Lee Sa-Rang continued to scold her.

『If you are going to always compare me to my sister, why don't you make her do the restaurant work then!』

When Lee Sa-Rang raised her tray out of anger, the startled Yoo-Jin raised the grill in defense. She stepped back while adopting a perfect defensive stance using the grill as a shield and brandishing the tongs in her right hand.

『Are you going to hit me again?』

Lee Sa-Rang lowered her hand and sighed heavily.

『Sigh. I wonder where she got her personality from...』

At that moment, Yoo-Jin raised her voice as if she was truly upset.

『Who do you think? Like mother, like daughter!』

Yoo-Jin shot back, causing the customers to giggle and laugh.

『Ha ha ha!』

The extras couldn't hold back their laughter. It was such a natural response that the PD still didn't call it a cut.

『Ugh, I’m speechless!』

Lee Sa-Rang angrily shook her fists and turned toward the kitchen. As soon as her 'mom' was out of sight, Yoo-Jin placed the grill over the charcoal. The once rowdy second daughter was replaced by a smiling Yoo-Jin, prompting another burst of laughter from the customers.

『Enjoy your meal, sir.』

After a moment of laughter, the customers regained composure and returned to the original script.

『Right, right. So what if you’re not good at studying? You’re such a good girl. Ah, and here's some pocket money.』

The man handed over six pieces of 1 thousand won bills from 1999.

Yoo-Jin also went back to the script with a bright smile.

『Wow! Thank you so much!』

She bowed gratefully and the customer added his final line.

『Give 3 thousand won to your older sister, keep 2 thousand won for yourself, and give 1 thousand won to your younger sister.』

『Huh? You want me to give some to my sister as well?』

Yoo-Jin's face fell upon realizing the money wasn't all for her.

『Siblings should get along. I've heard your older sister really cares for her siblings.』

『My sister? Ha! No way.』

Yoo-Jin pouted and crossed her arms, causing another round of laughter on set.

"Cut!"

Kang Soo-Hoon spoke with a satisfied expression. "Ha ha ha. That was great!"

"Wow! Miss Yoo-Jin really knows how to handle the grill."

"Didn't you know she worked part-time at a barbecue restaurant?”

“No wonder she looks so experienced.”

This level of performance in her first shoot was a huge success. Yoo-Jin bowed continuously, thanking everyone before returning to her spot.

But then, Lee Sa-Rang followed behind her.