I Don’t Want to Play Villains Anymore - Chapter 15
Then prove it with sincerity.
Clap.
Director Yoon Seok-won’s clapping sound echoed in the studio.
The eyes of the staff and actors were simultaneously attracted to him.
“Okay. Actors, the scene we’re about to sh**t is the most important scene in episode 1. Everyone, please focus and listen.”
His tone was low and calm, but there was a taut intensity in Director Shin Sound’s voice.
The atmosphere among the actors also became solemn and serious.
The story of the drama “Even If the Light is Lost, We” begins from the childhood of the two main characters.
This scene is the first encounter between Nam Ji-hyeok, who is practicing alone at a neighborhood basketball court, and Yoon Na-rae, who is lost and wandering. It’s the initial meeting that runs throughout the entire work.
However, it was by no means an easy scene for the actors.
Even though it is the first encounter, it hints at all the events that will unfold in the future.
The strange tension and emotions between the two characters had to be conveyed.
And since they are still children, they needed to express their pure feelings all at once.
Yoon Seok-won continued in a calm voice.
“The conversation between the two kids may not be special. However, depending on how you all act, this scene could either remain as just a meeting of two children or become a memorable scene that viewers will remember until the end. That’s what acting is.”
Director Yoon Seok-won’s gaze naturally lingered on Na Jae-hyeon and Baek Ha-neul.
Both were young, but they looked like professionals standing on the set.
Yoon Seok-won slowly took a breath and spoke to the two kids one last time.
“Are you ready? Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Jae-hyeon responded first with a short answer.
The atmosphere was tense, but internally there was a subtle tension.
Even though he was still young, for Na Jae-hyeon, who had already experienced several works, acting was his pride itself.
But for some reason, he was concerned about the small girl in front of him, Baek Ha-neul.
‘Since she has done one drama, I guess I have to take care of her.’
The rumor that Director Yoon Seok-won highly praised her also reached Jae-hyeon’s ears.
No matter how much of a genius Jae-hyeon was said to be, a certain tension surged over him.
‘Well, she’s a bit more pampered…’
Jae-hyeon reassured himself inwardly.
Meanwhile, Baek Ha-neul was already deeply immersed in her acting.
Though this was her first acting role in this life, if one includes her previous life, she was a veteran who had experienced countless sets.
She perfectly understood the meaning of the scene and what the director wanted.
‘Freshness, cuteness, nostalgia. That’s exactly what the director wants.’
Haneul’s blue eyes deepened for a moment.
Her entire body was filled with urgency, and all that remained was the character of Yoon Na-rae.
***
“Okay, scene number 1. The first meeting of Nam Ji-hyeok and Yoon Na-rae. Action!”
With the quiet signal from the director, the camera started rolling.
As the filming began, Jae-hyeon completely transformed into the character Nam Ji-hyeok.
Holding a basketball in his hand, he quietly dribbled the ball.
“…Hoo.”
Every movement he made was already natural, like a professional athlete.
But his gaze was somehow distant and indifferent.
Thud. Thud.
Only the sound of the ball bouncing on the basketball court broke the silence.
“…Who are you?”
The first words Jae-hyeon spoke after the filming started were as cold as ice.
But at that moment, Jae-hyeon felt a slight tremor.
It was when Haneul’s gaze, watching him from behind, met his.
Her eyes were transparent and clear. They were so pure and sincere.
“I just got lost.”
Haneul’s voice was mixed with anxiety and impatience, like a real child who was genuinely lost.
The genuine awkwardness and tension enveloped the air.
‘…This kid. Didn’t she say she had already filmed once before?’
Jae-hyeon struggled to hide his surprise and continued the conversation.
“Is there a place to get lost here? The way is really easy.”
“Really. I lost it.”
“…How?”
He tried to act indifferent, but inside, Jae-hyeon was flustered.
The Yoon Na-rae that young Haneul depicted was not the clumsy rookie actor he had assumed.
Rather, she was conveying emotions that felt more natural and delicate than Na Jae-hyeon himself.
‘What is this…?’
Suddenly, he felt a chill running down his spine.
It was an unexpected realism.
Haneul quickly shifted from a confused expression to one mixed with irritation and replied.
“Are you asking because you’re really curious?”
Her transition was so smooth that Jae-hyeon instinctively almost lost his words.
‘Seriously… this doesn’t make sense.’
Flustered, Jae-hyeon threw out his next line.
“Is there a reason I should know?”
As he took a step closer, Jae-hyeon tried to maintain a distance from Haneul.
But his gaze was already unable to escape her presence.
Haneul casually opened her mouth again.
“Are you going to play basketball alone? That’s boring.”
There was genuine curiosity and concern in Haneul’s voice.
At that moment, a warning bell rang in Jae-hyeon’s heart.
‘Did she really film once before? This is acting that even experienced actors find difficult…’
The tension crept up his spine.
Jae-hyeon, who had only known how to dominate his peers, found himself in an unfamiliar and shocking situation.
“It doesn’t concern you.”
His reply was cold, but there was already a hint of wavering in his voice.
Haneul paused for a moment, looked at him, and then said with a bright smile,
“If you do it alone, you won’t improve.”
Jae-hyeon instinctively froze.
Haneul’s warm smile and confident gaze were things he had never experienced in countless filming sets.
‘This isn’t… acting, it feels real.’
Even her emotions had a natural power that drew him in.
It felt as if he was truly conversing with the child named Yoon Na-rae.
‘This doesn’t make sense. Is she better than me?’
As filming progressed, Jae-hyeon felt more and more astonished.
For the first time, he felt like he was outmatched by his co-actor.
And that co-actor was just a five-year-old rookie.
Jae-hyeon took a deep breath to maintain his composure.
“I learned that sports are meant to be done together. Let’s take turns! You play badminton while I play basketball.”
“…What?”
“Wow! Perfect!”
With Director Yoon Seok-won’s exclamation, the studio was filled with applause.
“Of course it’s Jae-hyeon.”
“But that girl named Haneul is a bit…”
“It’s more than just a bit, right? There was a noticeable skill difference.”
‘…Did I just lose?’
They briefly exchanged glances.
As soon as the filming ended, Haneul quickly returned to her usual self.
“…Don’t you have to stabilize your emotions?”
“Huh? There was no need for method acting just now.”
At Haneul’s casual response, Jae-hyeon felt frozen.
‘Method acting?’
Could she do that?
Even he, who was called the best, hadn’t reached that level.
A five-year-old?
For the first time, Jae-hyeon’s pride, which had always assumed he was the best, began to shake.
Whether she realized it or not, Director Yoon Seok-won’s usually cold expression was now filled with satisfaction as he looked at the two.
“You both were truly excellent. I look forward to more in the future.”
However, despite the director’s praise, Na Jae-hyeon could not find any words to say.
It was due to the shock of this small actor, Baek Ha-neul.
‘Was it a lie that she filmed once… or is she truly a genius?’
Na Jae-hyeon felt both anxiety and excitement for the first time.
He instinctively realized that this small girl would become the biggest variable in his acting life.
“…And Jae-hyeon. Can you come this way for a moment?”
“…Okay.”
For the first time losing in acting, Na Jae-hyeon lost his usual indifferent demeanor and followed Haneul.
Haneul led him towards a corner where the staff’s eyes wouldn’t reach.
‘…What’s she trying to do?’
Jae-hyeon felt a bit nervous.
“…What’s the reason you brought me here?”
Na Jae-hyeon asked curiously, appearing slightly detached.
He tried to speak coldly and emotionlessly as usual, but perhaps because it was right after their first filming together, he felt somewhat clumsy.
Standing in the corner before young Haneul, Jae-hyeon was fidgeting, avoiding her gaze.
He could feel that his emotions were shaken differently than usual.
Haneul looked at Jae-hyeon with a hint of curiosity, then let out a light sigh and crossed her arms.
She then looked directly into Jae-hyeon’s eyes and said,
“Jae-hyeon.”
“…Huh?”
Na Jae-hyeon’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
The title ‘Jae-hyeon’ sounded a bit irritating to his ears.
Even before filming, he had been bothered by this title, but now it felt even more uncomfortable.
Was there a special reason she doesn’t call him ‘oppa’?
Haneul giggled softly and said,
“Earlier before we started filming, didn’t you say not to call you ‘Jae-hyeon’?”
“…Yeah, I said to call me casually.”
Haneul lightly nodded, then leaned forward slightly and asked.
“But why did you suddenly tell me to speak casually?”
“…Just. You look younger.”
Haneul’s eyes sparkled and a smile crept in.
“Oh, so it was because of my age?”
Haneul’s blue eyes gleamed as if she found it amusing.
She stared at Jae-hyeon as if an adult was watching a child.
Jae-hyeon found himself unnerved by that gaze.
He felt like a child who had done something wrong.
“…Why do you keep staring?”
Haneul smiled slightly and continued,
“You said before the filming that you’re confident and that acting is all you need to do, so you wouldn’t have any trouble.”
Jae-hyeon’s face heated up instantly.
The words he had casually said before felt embarrassing to him now.
“…That was just something I said because it felt awkward.”
Haneul tilted her head slightly and laughed adorably.
“Oh~ I see. I thought you had immense confidence in your acting.”
“…What do you mean?”
Jae-hyeon’s expression stiffened slightly.
Haneul smiled as if it was amusing and added in a playful tone.
“So, I want to make a suggestion. Are you willing to listen?”
“What suggestion?”
Haneul held up one finger playfully.
“Until this drama’s filming ends.”
“Okay.”
“How about you, the one who acts better, gets to be called ‘Jae-hyeon’?”
“…What?”
Jae-hyeon looked at Haneul in disbelief.
He couldn’t comprehend what this little girl had just said to him.
Haneul smiled brightly once more and slowly repeated her words.
“Every time we film, whoever acts better gets to call the other ‘Jae-hyeon’. Since I won today, I’m ‘Jae-hyeon’ now.”
Haneul placed her hands on her hips and strutted like a child who had just achieved a small victory.
“W-What kind of nonsense is that…”
“Really? You’re not confident? You were so bold before filming, weren’t you?”
Haneul feigned surprise, making her eyes round.
Jae-hyeon, taken aback by her playful demeanor, found himself at a loss for words, only being able to nibble on his lips.
“No, that’s not it…”
“Then, you are confident?”
With even more delight in her tone, Haneul smiled while leaning backward slightly.
“Then starting today until the filming ends, let’s promise to determine ‘Jae-hyeon’ each time based on our acting skills.”
Haneul extended her little pinky and said.
“How about it? If you’re confident, let’s promise.”
Jae-hyeon looked at Haneul’s tiny pinky with a bewildered expression.
‘What is this situation…?’
His mind was already completely blank.
Na Jae-hyeon had always been rational in front of the camera and maintained a strict distance from other actors.
This was the first time someone had startled and teased him like this.
And that someone was a five-year-old child.
“Are you serious? Are you really saying that Na Jae-hyeon would lose to you?”
Haneul deliberately emphasized the ‘Jae-hyeon’, narrowing her eyes and grinning.
It felt like this small child was ready to assert herself.
That smile made Jae-hyeon’s pride clash with his feelings.
“…Okay. But don’t regret it. You’re ‘Jae-hyeon’.”
“Wow~ Jae-hyeon is different, isn’t he?”
Haneul exaggeratedly applauded.
Jae-hyeon felt like he had unknowingly been dragged into something.
But somehow, he had a sense that he shouldn’t speak informally to this girl.
She was a remarkably charming little girl.
Haneul smiled mischievously and said,
“Then… shall I teach you some acting? You seemed to have many regrets before.”
“…What?”
That was an unmistakable provocation.
And it was the beginning of a long and twisted relationship.