Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

Chapter 180: Beyond the Boundary Shooting Set (2)

The long take scene which began with an idea proposed by Baek Yoon-Sung proceeded unexpectedly.

Lee Tae-Poong suddenly launched a front kick at Choi Yang-Seop who wasn't performing the action as rehearsed.

Thud!

Not having anticipated retaliation from the more junior Lee Tae-Poong, Choi Yang-Seop was kicked back and fell.

『Damn it, you fucking bastard...』

Fortunately, Choi Yang-Seop wasn't injured as the mountain slope was not steep. However, if it were a steep slope, Lee Tae-Poong's kick would have sent him rolling down.

At that moment, Lee Tae-Poong pounced on the flustered Choi Yang-Seop.

Thud!

Sitting on Choi Yang-Seop's chest, Lee Tae-Poong began to speak in a growling voice,

『Remember what I told you once, Kang Ill-Rok? That I would be the one to take your neck?』

Lee Tae-Poong's voice was powerful, leaving no traces of a person who once struggled to read the script due to dyslexia.

I felt a chill down my spine as I made a silent observation.

'Tae-Poong has indeed improved a lot.'

I finally understood why Pyo Eun-Mi was so proud of Lee Tae-Poong. Emotions were deeply etched in every single line that Lee Tae-Poong delivered.

After finishing his lines, Lee Tae-Poong pulled out a prop dagger he had on his side. It was a special prop designed to retract the blade inward and release fake blood when stabbed into someone.

『I spare you because I am ordered to. But... don't even dream of coming back.』

Playing the role of a protagonist having received orders not to kill Kang Il-Rok, Lee Tae-Poong started to slowly insert the blade into the opponent's abdomen, avoiding any fatal areas.

Splat, splat, splat!

Lee Tae-Poong's facial expressions as he suppressed the desire to kill and pushed the blade into the opponent were chilling. My whole body shivered and my hair stood on end, almost as if I were the one being stabbed.

『Ugh...』

Red liquid seeped out each time the blade stabbed the opponent. In time with this, Choi Yang-Seop’s eyes rolled back as he trembled and finally dropped his hand to the ground.

Though annoying in some aspects, Choi Yang-Seop had nevertheless won the acting grand prize two years ago. He completed his final act with a great reaction to Lee Tae-Poong's stabbing.

"Okay! Wow~ we've got a masterpiece here!" Choi Sung-Moon cheered with excitement.

Applause from the staff erupted in succession.

"Wow, that was seriously no joke, huh?"

"Damn, that was so intense that I thought they were enemies in real life."

"Geez, how did they get this in one take without any NGs? The film production team really struck gold here."

It was just a five-minute shot, but the acting from the two actors was so intense from the start till the end that there was no time for the audience to breathe.

The silent exchanges of facial expressions and the continuing action would definitely be a scene that everyone would go crazy over once the movie was released. Knowing this more than anyone else, the staff couldn't hide their excitement.

Leaving the cheering of the staff behind, I rushed to Lee Tae-Poong. I was worried about his condition because his face had been scratched by Choi Yang-Seop's unexpected action.

I was determined not to forgive Choi Yang-Seop if Lee Tae-Poong’s injury was serious.

***

After completing the scene, Lee Tae-Poong let out a long sigh.

He had been startled by Choi Yang-Seop's unexpected and daring movements during their performance. Fortunately, he quickly composed himself and successfully portrayed the stern national intelligence service agent, Choi Sung-Ha.

Immersed in his role at times, he couldn't recall exactly what his performance had been like. But he could definitely feel a profound sense of fulfillment enveloping him.

Lee Tae-Poong continuously bowed to the applauding staff members. After finishing his greetings, Lee Tae-Poong reached out his hand to Choi Yang-Seop who was still lying on the ground.

"That was amazing, sunbae-nim," said Lee Tae-Poong.

Choi Yang-Seop grabbed Lee Tae-Poong's hand with a displeased expression. "Thanks. Well done to you too. I think I tried too hard to do well and overreacted a bit, but don't be upset about it."

"Of course not," Lee Tae-Poong replied politely.

Though his words were kind, Lee Tae-Poong could see the unmistakable envy in Choi Yang-Seop's eyes.

Lee Tae-Poong knew well enough that Choi Yang-Seop disliked him as he lost the lead role to Lee Tae-Poong during the auditions. But he hadn't expected that this rivalry might lead to actual violence under the guise of acting.

Snicker.

A smirk slipped across Lee Tae-Poong's face. Despite being startled, he was satisfied with the realism that the tension had brought to his performance. Feeling genuinely threatened had allowed him to infuse his acting with authentic emotion.

Meanwhile, Choi Yang-Seop dusted off his clothes and disappeared.

That's when Lee Tae-Poong saw Jung Yoon-Ho rushing over with a worried look.

'He must have been startled,' Lee Tae-Poong thought.

The concern was evident in Jung Yoon-Ho's face, fearing Lee Tae-Poong might have been hurt.

"Does he think I'm a baby or what?" Lee Tae-Poong muttered to himself, unaware of the smile playing on his lips.

"Hyung~ take it slow. Don’t trip over anything," Jung Yoon-Ho urged him.

When Lee Tae-Poong waved his hand with a laugh, Jung Yoon-Ho suddenly snapped at him from a distance.

"Yoon-Ho hyung...he is definitely angry," Lee Tae-Poong uttered under his breath.

Lee Tae-Poong shivered without realizing it.

***

"It's a huge relief that it's not a severe injury..." I said with a sigh of relief.

There was a 5 cm red scratch on Lee Tae-Poong's cheekbone, but it wasn't deep. It was the kind of wound that could disappear without a trace with proper disinfection and aftercare at the hospital.

'Still, to have scratched the face of a lead actor?' I thought to myself as I felt anger rising up within me.

It was infuriating just to think about it.

"Should I just...kill that guy?" I muttered as I watched Choi Yang-Seop talking with Lee Chan-Dong, which made Lee Tae-Poong grab my arm.

"Hyung, I'm telling you. I'm really fine," Lee Tae-Poong quickly assured me.

Anxiety filled Lee Tae-Poong's eyes as if he really thought I might kill Choi Yang-Seop. It seemed like he remembered vividly how I had knocked down all the bodyguards when Kim Ae-Ja from Daechun Inc. had come to see him.

"Don't worry. I won't actually kill him," I replied.

Lee Tae-Poong raised his eyebrows and said, "Well, with that look on your face, it seems like you could kill him..."

I forced my facial muscles to relax and asked, "Is Choi Yang-Seop always like this in acting? Ignoring rehearsals and everything when it comes to action scenes?"

When I asked in an irritated voice, Lee Tae-Poong scratched his head with a silly smile. "Nah. It seems like he made a special effort today. Maybe because it's a highlight scene?"

I shook my head. "You're too forgiving. You're still able to laugh after that?"

Lee Tae-Poong defended himself. "Hey, I really gave it back to him after he hit me. I was so nervous that I kicked him too hard and might have caused an NG..."

I mulled over his words. 'Well, that's true. I guess the outcome was good...'

Confidence was evident on the face of Lee Tae-Poong after overcoming his dyslexia.

"But still, be careful with your face. You getting hurt could delay the filming schedule and disrupt the film promotion plans," I reminded him.

"I know."

"Here you are with all talks again!"

Lee Tae-Poong winced and tensed his neck.

At that moment, veteran actor Baek Yoon-Sung with over 40 years of experience approached us with a proud expression and said, "Tae-Poong, you were great back there. Very well done! Ha ha ha."

Baek Yoon-Sung's expression clearly showed his pride in Lee Tae-Poong.

I quickly cleared my annoyed expression and greeted Baek Yoon-Sung, requesting him to take good care of Lee Tae-Poong.

"Hello, sir! Please look after and help Tae-Poong. He has a lot to learn."

"What else can I help with? He's already doing so well. Meanwhile, I heard rumors about you being so capable. Star Jung the Fortune Teller, right? So? What do you think? Will our movie be a big hit?" Bae Yoon-Sung asked.

Baek Yoon-Sung explained he had heard my nickname at the broadcast station. I still had no idea who coined the nickname, Star Jung the Fortune Teller. The most likely person was Kim Myung-Hak, but he also said he heard it from others—so there was still no way to know for sure.

I nodded at Baek Yoon-Sung's question. "I guarantee it. You should prepare a few good outfits for the end of the year."

Despite his outstanding acting, Baek Yoon-Sung was notorious for being unlucky with awards. But Beyond the Boundary would bring him a big award at the year's end.

Baek Yoon-Sung's eyes widened when I hinted at this future.

Baek Yoon-Sung chuckled. "Ha ha. This guy. Seems like he really has something, huh? What makes you so confident?"

But despite his words, Baek Yoon-Sung laughed heartily.

'I knew he would be pleased,' I remarked inwardly.

I was already aware that Baek Yoon-Sung liked fortune-telling and rituals.

'After all, this is the advantage of someone who knows the future,' I thought to myself with a subtle smile.

***

I took Lee Tae-Poong to a dermatologist near the set right after the shooting.

The dermatologist finished a simple disinfection procedure and said the wound would heal in just a few days with a moist bandage. Thanks to Lee Tae-Poong's quick reflexes and adept dodging, he only suffered a slight abrasion on his skin. After the treatment, I instructed Lee Dae-Ho to bring Lee Tae-Poong to the clinic daily during the shoot.

Then we quickly moved to a pork belly restaurant near the set.

When we arrived at Delicious Honeycomb Samgyeopsal, the actors and staff greeted us.

Today's dinner was an event I organized to apologize for not looking after the site until now and to encourage the main lead Tae-Poong after his amazing performance today.

"Our main lead is here! Come, take a seat!"

"Here's a cushion for you!"

Upon arrival, the fellow actors sat together while the talent agents sat with the staff.

Baek Yoon-Sung sat between Choi Yang-Seop and Lee Tae-Poong at the actor's table. However, it was Choi Yang-Seop who seemed to be leading the actors' dinner as if he were the host.

"Mr. Baek, please continue to guide us a lot in the future," said Choi Yang-Seop politely.

"Ha ha. Guidance? What could someone like the famous Choi Yang-Seop possibly learn from me?" Baek Yoon-Sung replied with a chuckle.

"I still have much to learn," said Choi Yang-Seop as he lowered his head in respect.

Then, Choi Yang-Seop turned to Lee Tae-Poong who sat across from him and offered soju.

"Tae-Poong, you should have a drink too."

"Okay, sunbae-nim," Lee Tae-Poong said while bowing slightly.

As the soju glasses filled, Choi Yang-Seop smiled and said, "But you tend to put too much effort into your shoulders in action movies which might feel burdensome to the audience. It's better to relax your shoulders when acting."

At that moment, an awkward atmosphere circulated at the actors' table. Despite being the sunbae, it could appear presumptuous for the supporting actor to give acting advice to the main lead.

However, Choi Yang-Seop was a winner of the Best Actor Award.

Thinking it would only make things more awkward if they intervened, the other actors turned their heads to ignore the situation.

"Anyway, keep up the good work. The success of our movie depends on your shoulders!" Choi Yang-Seop added.

Though it seemed like praise, it was actually a reprimand to work harder.

Lee Tae-Poong gave a bitter smile and nodded.

That's when Baek Yoon-Sung solemnly called Lee Tae-Poong.

"Tae-Poong, pour me a drink."

"Yes, sir."

Lee Tae-Poong quickly filled Baek Yoon-Sung's empty soju glass.

Glug glug glug glug.

"Here, let me pour you a drink too," said Baek Yoon-Sung.

Lee Tae-Poong nodded. "Thank you."

As Baek Yoon-Sung filled Lee Tae-Poong's empty glass, he spoke loud enough for everyone at the table to hear.

"I learned a lot from you today, Tae-Poong."

Lee Tae-Poong was at a loss and froze on the spot. "M-Mr. Baek."

Everyone at the actors' table was also astounded.

Baek Yoon-Sung was a distinguished actor who had dominated the screen for 40 years with his supreme acting, and it was a well-known fact that it was not in his nature to praise someone like this.

Rather, Baek Yoon-Sung was known more for his blunt criticisms than for holding back whenever he got drunk. But he began to lavish praise on Lee Tae-Poong who had flawlessly finished a five-minute-long take.

"Did everyone see that he didn't even blink once despite getting hurt?" Baek Yoon-Sung asked.

All the actors nodded in unison.

"Tae-Poong, just keep doing what you're doing. As long as you don't forget your current mindset and effort, no one in South Korea will take you lightly," Baek Yoon-Sung continued.

Lee Tae-Poong's body shivered. It was a moment of recognition from the respected veteran actor Baek Yoon-Sung.

Lee Tae-Poong abruptly stood up from his seat and bowed deeply to Baek Yoon-Sung.

"Thank you for your advice, Mr. Baek. I will treasure it like gold and jewels."

Baek Yoon-Sung laughed heartily and waved his hand. "Why are you thanking me? I only spoke as I felt. There might be others who think differently, though..."

While praising Lee Tae-Poong, Baek Yoon-Sung also subtly criticized Choi Yang-Seop.

Only then did the other actors start clapping and cheering after taking a silent glance.

"Indeed! I saw it on the monitor earlier and the way he acted with his eyes was absolutely amazing."

"He's got the action, he's got the looks, and he's got the body as well. Is there anything you can't do, Tae-Poong?"

"But why have you been acting like that until now?"

"Have you been hiding your strength all along?"

"Yeah, I was genuinely surprised to see you act like this."

"You were awesome today."

Previously nicknamed Lacking David, Lee Tae-Poong finally began to receive recognition from both his peers and sunbaes in the industry.

Simultaneously, Choi Yang-Seop's face started to sour. After all, his criticism had been openly contradicted by a much senior actor.

While Lee Tae-Poong received cheers, Choi Yang-Seop sat desolately sipping his drink with a face like he'd swallowed something bitter.

But Choi Yang-Seop's ordeal was far from over.