Chapter 40 : White/Hundred (1)

The retreat ended, and time, scorched by the summer sun, had devoured half of our break.
It was time to start filming Park Saeron’s “Hundred.”

Saeron’s car pulled up in front of an apartment building. I stepped out, squinting against the harsh sunlight.

“Where are we?”
“A friend’s apartment. He said we could film here.”
“You didn’t… threaten him, did you?”
“Seriously, you’d save lives by just keeping your mouth shut.”
“Are you implying you’re going to kill me?”
“Me?”

I smirked and pointed at him.

“You look like the type.”
“Maybe I’ll start with the person standing right in front of me.”

Saeron’s hand shot out towards the back of my neck. I dodged it easily and stuck out my tongue.

“Too slow.”

My taunt had the desired effect. He grinned, his eyes gleaming with mischief, and continued to try and grab me.

After a few more attempts, he finally caught me. I had to promise to behave before he released me.

“…That’s…blackmail.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing.”

I sighed under my breath. He was way too strong for me. This body was ridiculously weak. Or perhaps it wasn’t about gender; he was just…strong. I looked around the apartment building, impressed. The hallway walls were lined with marble, matching the building’s sleek exterior.

“Your friend has good taste. Or a lot of money.”
“I thought we agreed you were going to behave.”
“You’re just being sensitive.”

Saeron looked at me, stroking his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face. I had a bad feeling about this and quickly changed the subject.

“I… think people are… already here.”
“Right. Let’s go in.”

We entered the apartment to be greeted by a group of about fifteen people, including Director Kim Dohyung. He stood up, smiling.

“Haram, long time no see.”
“Hello. I didn’t expect so many people.”
“You need a crew this size for a film. Besides, most of these guys are just hiding from their wives.”

A man on the sofa, sipping instant coffee, chuckled.

“What are you talking about? We’re here for you, Director Kim! Thirteen years of loyalty mean nothing to you?”
“Shouldn’t you focus on your wife who you’ve loved for 10 years? I mean if the camera guy quits I could just get another one”

Everyone laughed at Dohyung’s response.
Saeron, who had been standing beside me, scowled.

“No greetings for me?”
“Oh, you’re here?”

Dohyung had been talking to me. There was no way he hadn’t seen Saeron, standing right next to me. He was deliberately ignoring him. Their gazes clashed.

“You weren’t answering my calls, and the script was late. I assumed you had disappeared.”
“This project is a bit… unconventional. And I had my phone on silent.”

Their polite words masked a deeper tension. I mentally translated their conversation.

“Getting the script four days before filming starts is… unconventional, to say the least. You said there was no rush, but I had to pull an all-nighter to finish the storyboard.”
[You little shit. I almost died because of you.]

“Already? You work fast.”
[Who told you to rush? I specifically said there was no rush.]

“It was…refreshing, actually. Brought back memories of my college days.”
[My college projects were less stressful than this.]

“Don’t overwork yourself. You’ll get sick.”
[No one’s forcing you to work all night.]

“Gotta do what you gotta do. This wouldn’t fly in a commercial film.”
[You’re lucky I’m even doing this for you.]

“That’s why I’m making an independent film. Speaking of which, I’m broke now.”
[Glad to hear it. But just so you know, it’s my money you’re spending.]

Dohyung sighed and held out his hand to Saeron.

“Let’s make a great film.”
“I’m counting on your skills, Director Kim.”

It seemed Saeron had won this round. Money talks.
Dohyung rubbed his nose, then seemed to remember something.

“Right, where’s…Hankyul? The actors should greet each other.”
“One second.”

A young man emerged from the crowd. He stood before us and introduced himself.

“Hello, I’m Baek Hankyul.”

I frowned.

‘He’s pretty… for a boy.’

He had a small face, clear skin, and delicate features. The kind of looks that girls would swoon over.

And I felt a strange sense of familiarity, a nagging feeling that I had seen him before.

I suddenly remembered a poster I had seen in my sister Hayul’s room and nodded.

“You’re an idol, aren’t you?”

Hankyul smiled and nodded. The director looked surprised.

“Of course, you’d know. Hankyul is very popular with students these days.”

Hankyul blushed and scratched the back of his head at Dohyung’s comment. I tilted my head.

“I’ve never heard of you.”
“What?”
“I’m… not really into idols. My sister’s a fan, that’s how I know.”

The atmosphere in the room cooled noticeably at my words. Dohyung quickly changed the subject.

“Saeron, shouldn’t we hold a gosa ceremony before we start filming?”
(TL Note: Gosa is a traditional Korean ritual, usually involving food and drink offerings, performed to wish for good luck and fortune)
“A gosa? You know I don’t believe in superstitions.”
“It’s for the crew, for their peace of mind. It’s for morale.”
“And who’s paying for it?”
“It’s just a small gesture, but it can prevent accidents and bad luck. And if something does go wrong, people will talk.”

There was a superstition in the film industry: you had to hold a gosa ceremony before filming to ensure a smooth production.

Saeron, stroking his chin, suddenly grinned.

“A pig’s head is traditional, but… I think we can improvise.”

Pork belly sizzled on the grill. I expertly wielded the tongs and scissors, cutting the meat into bite-sized pieces and placing them on everyone’s plates.

Saeron, after devouring a few pieces, looked at me and said,

“You’re really good at this.”
“I’m the best, actually.”
“I don’t give compliments easily, but… you’ve earned this one.”

Baek Hankyul, who had been watching me, spoke up.

“Haram, you should eat too. You’ve been grilling for a while.”
“I’m fine. I prefer grilling. And I eat while I grill. No one minds sharing, right?”

I smiled and declined his offer. Talking to Hankyul, I realized he was genuinely kind and polite. A good-looking guy with a great personality? It made me feel slightly inadequate.

Hankyul, who had been quietly eating the meat I had given him, looked at me hesitantly.

“Haram…”
“You can drop the formalities. I’m younger than you.”
“Right. Okay. Um… Did you… really not know who I was?”

He frowned slightly. I smiled.

“Would you prefer if I pretended?”

He looked dejected at my blunt reply.

“I guess I’m not as famous as I thought. I need to work harder.”
“You’re doing fine. Now, open wide.”

I grinned and shoved a lettuce wrap filled with grilled meat into his mouth. He looked surprised, then started chewing.

Nothing shut people up like a mouthful of food. Especially when that mouthful included three slices of meat and a whole clove of garlic. He would be quiet for a while.

Director Kim Dohyung returned, carrying a plate piled high with Choco Pies arranged in a pyramid.

“The pig’s head has been replaced with Choco Pies. Donation time, everyone.”

The crew laughed at his antics. The lighting director spoke up.

“Where do we stick the money?”

Dohyung replied without missing a beat,

“In my pocket, of course. All proceeds will go towards snacks for the hardworking director.”
“Really? Saeron, do you have a thousand won? Our director needs some ice cream.”

Everyone started pulling out bills and coins, stuffing them into Dohyung’s pockets. He thanked each of them profusely. I smiled, watching their childish antics.

A makeshift gosa ceremony, with Choco Pies instead of a pig’s head… only in Korea. This was going to be an interesting summer.