When I Opened My Eyes I Was a Superstar

Do Wook said the line again.

“What are you staring at, you bastard?”

Staggering a little, Do Wook pushed Park Hyo Won, who was trying to catch him.

It was a movement that wasn’t too strong but also not completely devoid of strength.

It was as if he was saying, “I can push someone like you without using any real force”. It was half hearted yet with a hint of uncontrollable power.

Not a single signal came out of Director Yoon Sung Ah’s mouth. It meant to keep going. Park Hyo Won continued with his line.

“…What? What did you just say to me?”

“I said, what are you staring at. You piece of shit.”

“Hey, Jung Hwan, you’re out of your mind right now.”

The gaze of the two anxious people crossed. The camera angle was shaking.

“Fuck. Hey Kim Jung Hwan!”

“What?! What?! What?!”

Do Wook, playing the role of Jung Hwan, went crazy and screamed. He swung his arms as if he was going to hit Park Hyo Won. It was a threatening arm gesture.

It was the scene where Jung Hwan, who was the leader of a violent circle, but just a normal friend to Hyo Won, used violence on Hyo Won.

It was an expression of his subtle jealousy and inferiority complex.

“I asked you. Why are you calling me? You piece of shit.”

Do Wook, who had been screaming, soon hardened his expression and asked calmly.

A coldness was flowing out of Do Wook, who asked calmly while staring

Director Yoon Sung Ah’s expression became serious as she looked at the monitor. She hadn’t yelled “NG” in a while, so Do Wook and Park Hyo Won had to stare at each other and act with their eyes for a long time.

Do Wook, who played Jung Hwan, had a rough look in his eyes. It was rough like a gust of sand blowing over a desolate unpaved road.

It was the same for Park Hyo Won’s gaze, which was filled with a little bit of embarrassment and betrayal from a friend. When their eyes met, there seemed to be a spark.

The deepening colors of the sunset were further conveying the feelings of the two.

< Blue Whale >, which expressed a desperate and anxious youth. From the first scene, the acting of the two actors was very fierce.

“Cut! OKAY!”

Once Director Yoon Sung Ah yelled ”cut”, the two actors who hadn’t been able to even blink properly exhaled like a sigh. They were even adjusting their breathing to match their acting.

They relaxed a little, but there was still tension between the two people. Park Hyo Won relaxed his shoulder and got out of the role first.

“Huuuuu.”

Park Hyo Won let out a long sigh.

Park Hyo Won had acted with prominent actors several times while filming various Independent films, but Do Wook had his own energy.

‘Is it because he’s young? No. I wasn’t able to do that when I was younger.’

Thanks to his counterpart giving out a powerful energy while acting, Park Hyo Won was able to instantly immerse himself and give a good performance.

Of course, it was true that Do Wook lacked skills compared to veteran actors.

He was definitely lacking in experience. If he had a little more experience, the mistakes he made yesterday and today wouldn’t have taken so long.

However, Director Yoon Sung Ah did not directly point out the problem to Do Wook. She also instructed Park Hyo Won not to tip him off on what the problem was.

‘She probably hoped he would come to the realization by himself. And he did in fact realize it himself. He definitely has natural talent.’

In the scene that was given the okay, Do Wook gave the impression as if he had actually become Jung Hwan.

It seemed perfect on the day of the reading, but when the filming actually started, problem areas appeared. Seeing it along with the gestures, it showed that Do Wook was acting ‘too strongly’.

The Jung Hwan Do Wook was acting only ‘looked like’ Jung Hwan. It was not actually ‘Jung Hwan’ himself.

Director Yoon Sung Ah wanted Do Wook to become Jung Hwan in the entirety, from head to toe, from eyes to fingertips.

At some point, it seemed like Do Wook had realized that.

After that, Park Hyo Won felt that the person standing in front of him and looking at him was no longer Do Wook. He looked like Jung Hwan, who had nothing to fear in the world.

Do Wook also got out of the role and thanked the staff for their hard work.

“Ok then, let’s quickly move to the next location!”

Director Yoon Sung Ah yelled.

Honestly, Director Yoon Sung Ah was being greedy, but the < Blue Whale > filming schedule was tighter than other movies.

The production cost was one thing, but it was because of none other than Do Wook’s schedule.

Even if it were to be extended from 2 weeks, 3 weeks was the max. HIT Entertainment, Do Wook’s agency, said that it would be impossible for Do Wook to film after three weeks. It was their condition for filming a movie that had no guarantees.

Director Yoon Sung Ah completely understood HIT Entertainment’s position. Currently, Do Wook was in a position where he just had to go to one or two festivals to make the same amount of money he’d make in a movie.

Fortunately, Director Yoon Sung Ah’s style was also one where they progressed with the filming quickly once the frame was set.

It was also Director Yoon Sung Ah who first said that they’d only need 2 weeks.

Following Director Yoon Sung Ah’s orders, the filming staff, including Do Wook and Park Hyo Won, began to move. The casting team, who had reserved the venue, headed to the next location first while the equipment was being packed up.

The next scene was going to be filmed in a dark alley.

“Hey, you have Hyun Chul on standby right?”

“Yes.”

“Have Hyun Chul come to the alley too.”

“Got it.”

Director Yoon Sung Ah instructed the filming assistant. Hyun Chul was a supporting cast member who was appearing in the next scene.

Even as he walked, Do Wook was a little dazed.

Since it was an outdoor shooting, there were often people who recognized Do Wook even as they were heading to the alleyway right next door.

“It’s Kang Do Wook! Kang Do Wook!”

“Do Wook!!”

People who instantly recognized Do Wook began to flock toward Do Wook.

The filming staff were able to prevent them from getting close, but they couldn’t stop them from calling out to Do Wook. Even though he could hear them loudly calling out to him, Do Wook just walked absentmindedly as if he couldn’t hear them.

As if he had regained consciousness, Do Wook belatedly looked up and looked at the female fans who were calling him.

The female fans’ voices got even louder when Do Wook looked their way.

“Please wave your hand for us just once!”

“Kyaaa. So handsome!”

Normally, Do Wook would have waved and given them a smile with no issues.

That much fan service was not hard for Do Wook to do. However, somehow it was hard for Do Wook to smile at the fans.

It was because he was so immersed in his role.

Furthermore, the next shoot was scheduled immediately. It was difficult for him to get immersed, he didn’t want to break that.

No, it actually wasn’t that he didn’t want to break the immersion.

Do Wook had already become Jung Hwan himself. His heart wasn’t in a place where he could smile at someone.

Do Wook bowed his head and greeted the fans who were calling out to him.

Do Wook’s expression as he greeted them was very stiff.

It was a response that a fan who knew well how Do Wook normally treated fans would immediately recognize as odd.

Fortunately however, Do Wook and the crew were just passing by. The fans thought he wasn’t answering because he was in the middle of filming.

Therefore, rather than coming across as cold, they were satisfied that the star Do Wook looked their way and gave them a nod. Happy, they waved back at Do Wook.

***

“Hello.”

“Hey, you’re here. Actor Kang! Thank you for the drink. “

“Hello, hello!”

“Oh, Actor Kang. Welcome!”

The sound of Do Wook, who had arrived on set, greeting the staff rang out all over.

It was the first thing Do Wook did when he arrived on the set. Of course, other actors also said hello, but the reality was just a general greeting to loudly announce they had arrived.

However, Do Wook went to every corner of the set and bowed and greeted staff who were working as hard as he was.

Since there were quite a bit of staff, it took a rather long time. Still, Do Wook came earlier than scheduled without fail to say hello, even though it was already the fourth day of shooting.

“I had heard that he had a good personality. Wow…I thought he would be rude since he was successful at a young age.”

“I heard he’s famous for that.”

“It could all be an act.”

“Kiddo, pretending to that extent is the same as really being like that. Why are you nitpicking?!”

The lighting staff whispered amongst each other as they looked at Do Wook, who was talking to Director Yoon after greeting them.

“Quickly, let’s get it set up quickly. The actor is here already!”

“Ok.”

At the Lighting Designer’s orders, the remaining two people replied and started to move quickly.

The remaining two responded to the Lighting Designer’s cries and began to move in perfect order.

There was a reason why the staff were paying more attention to Do Wook today than usual.

Fans of Do Wook reserved coffee trucks for Do Wook and the filming team and placed them on the set. It was just a coffee truck, not a food truck, but it was a very unfamiliar culture to the staff who had only done art films.

It was a sight that would make your eyes open wide.

There was a large banner of Do Wook on the truck, and baristas and coffee machines, as well as a refrigerator full of beverages, were hired to be on standby so that they could get a drink anytime they wanted throughout the day while they were filming at the school.

‘Please Treat Actor Kang Do Wook Well!’

‘Praying for Blue Whale’s Success’

‘Our Jung Hwan…he’s actually a kind kid…please give him love ㅠㅠ’

‘Jung Hwan! Go easy, easy!’

Various banners, from clichés to witty phrases from fans who heard the news about Do Wook’s role, were hanging all over the truck.

Do Wook couldn’t help but be filled with joy when he saw the coffee truck that arrived on set.

KK wasn’t doing activities these days and filming took a lot of his energy, so it had been a long time since he’d posted on the cafe, but Do Wook felt that he should absolutely take a picture and upload a thank you post today.

“Thanks to you, we don’t have to worry about drinks today.”

Director Yoon Sung Ah said with a big smile.

“Haha. It’s all thanks to the fans.”

“I didn’t know you were so popular since I see you in a school uniform everyday, but…I guess that’s Do Wook for you.”

Do Wook responded humbly as he scratched his head. The filming director patted Do Wook’s shoulder and gave him a thumbs up.

“You’re so kind and gentle. But your eyes change whenever we’re filming…”

Do Wook listened intently to the filming director talking about his performance.

Movies. The only thing Do Wook thought about these days were movies. What could he do to be a good actor? That was all he thought about.

It was thanks to getting involved in a good screenplay as well as with a good director and actors. Do Wook’s passion was burning strong like a campfire that wouldn’t go out.

“I was really surprised. These days, I’m worried that at this rate Park Hyo Won will stab you while filming.”

“Park Hyo Won would be surprised to hear that. What you just said.”

When Park Hyo Won, who suddenly appeared from behind, answered, the filming director held his chest as if he were surprised.

“Haha, no no. Then, I’m going to get ready for the shoot.”

Do Wook said goodbye then headed towards the makeup team.

Frowning, Park Hyo Won, who was looking at Do Wook head to the makeup team, said to Director Yoon Sung Ah.

“But seriously, aren’t we pushing the kid too much?”

“Hmmm…”

Park Hyo Won’s words seem to have given Director Yoon Sung Ah a lot to think about.

“It is definitely a little much, isn’t it?”

“Yes. It’s extreme, as fuck. Can’t you tell by how his expression changed? Soon even the shine in his eyes will be gone.”

“He’s still a rookie, so…”

“He can’t get through that by himself when it’s a mistake even experienced actors often make. The kinder his actual personality is, the bigger it will be. The fallout, that is.”

“That’s true. I think he’s trying to figure it out too, so…let’s give it a little more time.”

“Well.”

Park Hyo Won nodded his head for now. There was but one thing Park Hyo Won was worried about. It was that Do Wook was currently confused by extreme immersion.

The filming soon started.

Today was the day they were filming the scene where Jung Kwan explodes and uses violence against Hyo Won, who was left alone in the classroom.

Do Wook’s vibe took a frightening turn once the movie slate was shut and the scene with the violent actions started. He then started kicking Park Hyo Won.

Of course, it was a synchronized scene so there was no real pain inflicted on Park Hyo Won like with real violence. However, it was incredibly realistic. Do Wook’s expression and vibe, if nothing else, was making Park Hyo Won feel like it was really hurting him.

“Ahh!”

The filming ended with Park Hyo Won yelling loudly.

Do Wook, who had finished the scene without a single mistake, took a big breath.

“Director.”

Do Wook, who had tramped over, called out to Director Yoon Sung Ah.

—

Next chapter: This role has been proving difficult even for our OP Do Wook. What is it that he wants to say to the Director?