Superstar From Age 0

Translator: MarcTempest

Editor: AgRoseCrystal

Chapter 541

After a brief phone call, Hwang Ji-yoon made an appointment with Seo-jun and headed to Korea National University of Arts.

It was Friday, so there were no classes, but she had to apply for the project team since the plagiarism issue was resolved and the script was restored.

The project team of Korea National University of Arts.

It was a film production support project led by the acting and film departments, which allowed not only Korea National University of Arts students but also outsiders to participate, and they could receive film production funds. 

They could also borrow filming equipment that was donated to the school when they were replaced with new ones at the site.

‘The conditions are strict, though.’

Outsiders could participate, but they could not outnumber the Korea National University of Arts students who participated, and the project team managers checked the work progress and production cost status every two weeks. Hwang Ji-yoon, the team leader, had to write a report every time.

It could be considered troublesome, but it was more generous than expected, as some of the production costs could be used for the team’s dining expenses or snacks.

‘As long as we don’t use filming as an excuse to play and eat.’

Moreover, depending on the report, they could also get more support without any other document review if they decided that more production costs were needed, so it was not all bad.

Hwang Ji-yoon, who got on the bus, looked over the proposal that she had revised several times during the summer vacation.

It contained her information as the team leader and the plan for how to proceed with the project later.

‘And…’

Hwang Ji-yoon’s eyes fell on the ‘goal’ written in the middle of the proposal.

Korea National University of Arts, which provided production funds, wanted to get a visible result that would promote the school’s name. 

That’s why the project team had to clearly state the purpose of the team.

Film department, so naturally, film festival submission.

Hwang Ji-yoon’s goal was also to submit to the ‘Korea Independent Film Festival’ in April next year, which was no different from that.

‘I don’t know if I can win an award, but…’

Let’s do our best.

Hwang Ji-yoon smiled brightly and carefully put the proposal in her bag.

***

When Hwang Ji-yoon arrived at Korea National University of Arts, she moved to the main building and looked around.

The students were gathered here and there, talking, and all the stories they heard were about the article that broke out this morning.

“It’s like this outside, but the film department must be in a mess.”

If they had listened to her seriously when she said that Oh Seong-tae and his group plagiarized other students’ works, it wouldn’t have gotten this big.

Hwang Ji-yoon shook her head.

“Ji-yoon!”

Hwang Ji-yoon, who was going to the main building project team office, found a friend standing in front of it and smiled brightly.

A friend who would join first and help with the filming when the team was formed, Kim Se-yeon. 

They had planned to submit the documents and have a meeting today.

“How’s the atmosphere in the film department?”

“It’s totally polarized, you know. Our side is relieved, and Oh Seong-tae’s side seems like some of them didn’t even come. The professors are also in a frenzy.”

Kim Se-yeon, who shook her head, smiled with a refreshing expression.

“At first, the whole Korea National University of Arts film department was criticized, but the students told their own stories and the article’s atmosphere shifted to that side, so now only Oh Seong-tae’s group and the professors are being scolded. I hope they change all the professors on this occasion.”

“Will that happen?”

Hwang Ji-yoon, who recalled some professors who didn’t even listen to her words, thought it would be nice if that happened and said to Kim Se-yeon.

“Se-yeon, I’ll submit the documents and come back.”

“Okay.”

The project team office related to the acting and film departments was not a calm atmosphere either.

“What if the plagiarism was revealed after the filming was over? It would have been more chaotic than now, right?”

“That’s right. There would have been people who would ask why they sent a plagiarized work, and people who would say that it doesn’t matter if the plagiarized work is fun.”

“There would have been a lot of articles too. Unless the director himself revealed it, Lee Seo-jun wouldn’t have known anything about the plagiarism, but people and reporters would have attacked Lee Seo-jun, who is more famous than the director they don’t even know.”

“Well, anyway, if they win an award at some film festival, they would forget everything in the end and the original author would be the only one in a difficult situation.”

The staff’s talk made the original author, Hwang Ji-yoon, think bitterly that it would be like that.

“I came to apply for the project team.”

“Oh, please give it to me here.”

Hwang Ji-yoon handed the application to the staff who raised his hand. While the staff checked if there were any missing documents, the talk of other staff members came to her ears.

“If they liked the plagiarized work, they would have liked the original work too, I wonder if Lee Seo-jun will film that next.”

“Oh. Then one of our students will be the director who films with Lee Seo-jun? Wow. That student’s career will be no joke from the start.”

“Didn’t you see the article? He said he would be more careful. He will check the script thoroughly.”

“Besides, he got into such a big trouble for appearing in a student work, do you think he will film with a student again? If I were him, I would just film a Hollywood work.”

“That’s true. It would be a headache if there was a problem working with a student again.”

Hwang Ji-yoon, who was nodding inwardly, was spoken to by the staff who checked the documents.

“Yes. The documents are all correct. I’ll check the script and contact you. But the acceptance will be a bit late. Because of today’s incident, we got a contact from above to check the script thoroughly. But don’t worry, as long as the script is okay, the chances of failing are almost zero.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“Here are the filming equipment that you can borrow now, and if you need it, the school can help you with renting the filming location or props.”

Hwang Ji-yoon listened to the staff’s explanation.

***

After lunch, Hwang Ji-yoon and Kim Se-yeon moved to a cafe in the school. Papers were spread over a fairly large table.

“Did you find the filming location?”

“I had a place in mind from before. I thought I had to film here someday.”

Kim Se-yeon looked at the photos of the filming location that Hwang Ji-yoon handed over with a serious expression. She read the script, so she seemed to know where to film what scene. She had to change some props or furniture, but it was a good place.

“Can you rent this place?”

“It’s a place that’s used a lot for filming, so it’s possible. The cost is this much per day.”

“…It’s cheap, but we still have to film as fast as possible. What about the music?”

“I’m going to look at the music department students first. If not, I’ll use an outsourcer.”

“Our school students are not bad either.”

Hwang Ji-yoon and Kim Se-yeon put their heads together and continued the meeting. The picture was important, as it was a story of a painter.

“We can hire the art team from the art department or the stage art department, right?”

“I want to use a pro for this scene…”

“Wouldn’t that be hard? Even if we get the support, we won’t have enough to use a pro…”

“But this is the most important part.”

Hmm.

Hwang Ji-yoon and Kim Se-yeon made a sound and decided to settle other things first.

While the meeting was going on, Hwang Ji-yoon looked at the clock and opened her mouth.

“Let’s stop here for today. I have an appointment.”

“Okay.”

Kim Se-yeon stretched out at Hwang Ji-yoon’s words. It was the first meeting, so there was nothing definite except for the film department students who had said they would help from before, but it was something that could be done step by step.

“By the way, what kind of appointment?”

“Oh, I’m going to meet someone I know.”

‘…Is that someone I know?’

Hwang Do-yoon was someone she knew, but only through a mutual acquaintance.

After breaking up with Kim Se-yeon, Hwang Ji-yoon headed to the acting department’s practice room, where she had an appointment.

‘Why did he want to meet me?’

She was sure it was because of [Fire], but she didn’t understand why Lee Seo-jun, an actor who could do many more works, wanted to do a college student’s work so badly.

‘Normally, she wouldn’t do it even if it hurt his pride.’

She felt good that a top actor wanted her script so much, but she also felt burdened and worried.

“I should just refuse.”

She decided to refuse, no matter what conditions he offered, and knocked on the practice room door.

Soon, the door opened.

“Welcome, senior!”

“…!”

Lee Seo-jun greeted Hwang Ji-yoon with a bright smile. He was dazzling.

“Am I invisible? Hwang Ji-yoon?”

Hwang Ji-yoon, who had lost his mind at the sudden appearance of the sparkling face, came to his senses at Hwang Do-yoon’s voice.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Seo-jun, a freshman in the acting department.”

“…Ah, hello. I’m Hwang Ji-yoon.”

“Please speak comfortably, senior!”

Lee Seo-jun, who looked excited, led Hwang Ji-yoon inside.

Before she knew it, Hwang Ji-yoon was sitting on a chair in one corner of the practice room, holding a can of soda. Lee Seo-jun’s voice reached his ears.

“I thought it would be easier if there was someone I knew, so I called Do-yoon senior too.”

“Ah…”

“Just pretend I’m not here. Relax. Relax.”

Hwang Do-yoon exaggeratedly slumped in the corner of the practice room. Hwang Ji-yoon rubbed her forehead at the sight of her ridiculous family member, and Lee Seo-jun smiled softly.

“Can I ask why you wanted to meet me today…?”

Hwang Ji-yoon’s question was met with a grin from Lee Seo-jun.

“I wanted to show you my acting, senior. I hope you’ll watch it.”

***

“As expected of Lee Seo-jun! He was amazing, wasn’t he?”

Hwang Do-yoon, who had witnessed Lee Seo-jun’s acting thanks to his sister, kept admiring him. Even as she entered the house and took off her shoes, she only heard Hwang Do-yoon’s voice praising Lee Seo-jun’s acting. Hwang Ji-yoon, who followed him in, felt like she had to keep her mouth shut.

“…Hey. Hwang Do-yoon.”

“So, you’re filming with Lee Seo-jun…Huh?”

Hwang Do-yoon looked at Hwang Ji-yoon.

“You read my script, right?”

“? I was curious about the content, so I read it as soon as you recovered it.”

“Then… you must know a bit about Hwa’s character, right?”

…!

Hwang Do-yoon’s eyes shook. He stuttered.

“…I hope you’re thinking something different from what I’m thinking, Hwang Ji-yoon…”

“Try acting as Hwa. Bro.”

“I hope you’re thinking something different! And why do you only call me bro at times like this!!”

Hwang Ji-yoon’s words made Hwang Do-yoon scream.

“Hey? Little sister? We just saw Lee Seo-jun’s acting, you know? I saw that kind of acting with my own two eyes… and you want me to do it!? Are you crazy!?”

It was like putting a crappy drawing next to a masterpiece.

The crappy one shouted.

“I won’t do it! I won’t!”

“What if I tell mom about your grades last semester?”

“I’ll do it.”

Hwang Do-yoon quickly raised a white flag.

“I can’t memorize the lines, so give me the script. And some time to prepare.”

A moment later.

Hwang Do-yoon, who had finished preparing, stood in the middle of the living room with a half-enlightened expression. Hwang Ji-yoon looked at him without a hint of amusement.

“Shall we start?”

“Yeah.”

Hwang Do-yoon took a deep breath and let it out, then recited Hwa’s lines. His walk, his actions, his eyes, his hand movements. He was doing very well for a short time of practice.

Hwang Ji-yoon knew.

How well Hwang Do-yoon could act.

He was lacking in theory, but he was good at acting and often received casting offers, but he was refusing them this year because of the student council. She knew that too.

But…

Somehow, she only saw his shortcomings now.

That’s not the look.

That’s not the walk.

That’s not the tone.

That’s not the feeling.

‘If only he did it more like this…!’

What naturally came to her mind was Lee Seo-jun’s acting that she had seen in the practice room.

That acting was like the one and only perfect answer, and it overlaid on Hwang Do-yoon’s acting.

Just like when you eat a very sweet chocolate, you can’t feel any weaker sweetness, Hwang Do-yoon’s acting was bland.

As time passed, Hwang Do-yoon’s acting ended.

“…I ruined my eyes. I shouldn’t have watched it.”

“…Ugh…”

Hwang Do-yoon couldn’t resist. He thought the same thing during practice and when he showed his acting just now.

“…You don’t know, but even if you didn’t imitate Lee Seo-jun’s acting, you did well! If only you had more practice time…!”

“Do you want to give me more time?”

“No. I’m fine.”

She quickly answered and looked at her brother, who was troubled. Hwang Do-yoon opened his mouth.

“Why don’t you just film with Lee Seo-jun? There’s no actor who can act like him, right?”

“…Sigh.”

“Don’t worry about anything else and just think about the work. If it’s not Lee Seo-jun, who are you going to cast as Hwa? It’s not my place to say, but I can act a bit too. If my acting is this level, how do you think the other actors are?”

Hwang Do-yoon chuckled.

“Whoever acts, you’ll only think of Lee Seo-jun’s acting now, right?”

Hwang Do-yoon’s words seemed to read her mind. Hwang Ji-yoon rubbed her forehead.

She felt like she had fallen into a trap.