Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 591: At the Jiri Mountain (2)

Park Sun-Jae had moved the schedule from 10 to 9, but Everyday's schedule entry remained unchanged.

[Everyday V12.2]

[Date: January 26, 2021]

-10:00 a.m [NEW. Lee Tae-Poong] Emergency helicopter transport to Jinju K Hospital ER. (Other: Contact Tae-Poong's parents.)

Even after changing the shooting order, the schedule entry didn't update, which meant the cause of the incident lay elsewhere.

I was a little disappointed, but that didn't mean I could just give up. I was prepared to do everything I could and, if necessary, stop the shoot altogether to protect Lee Tae-Poong. Of course, I would be criticized, but that was a small price to pay compared to one of my actors getting hurt.

At that moment, Ahn Yoo-Joo cautiously asked, "Um, will Mr. Jae-Soo be okay to shoot today? He didn't look too well earlier."

"Oh, I'll take care of him and bring him myself, so don't worry."

"Right, with Mr. Jung here, I guess I was worrying for nothing."

Relieved, Ahn Yoo-Joo smiled and hurried down the stairs.

I then turned to Lee Tae-Poong and Kang Si-Ah. "Sorry, but since the shooting order changed, you two will be going first. Are you both okay with that?"

Lee Tae-Poong nodded and picked up Kang Si-Ah. "Hey sweetie. Want to play a running game with Dad outside?"

"Yeah! I love running!"

Scene 122 involved escaping from the lodge, and Lee Tae-Poong, like a real dad, gently reworded everything. To keep Kang Si-Ah from getting scared, he turned everything into games like tag and running, while maintaining the scene's context of fleeing from a killer.

Kang Si-Ah, true to her child role, naturally responded to Lee Tae-Poong's acting. Watching these two made my heart swell with pride that these were my actors.

Meanwhile, Lee Dae-Ho, Lee Tae-Poong's talent agent, came over with two thick jackets that had been hanging in the second-floor room. One was a worn red jacket from the film, and the other was a yellow child's jacket.

Lee Tae-Poong picked up the yellow one first and held it over Kang Si-Ah's head. "Arms up, sweetheart!"

Kang Si-Ah threw her arms up. "Up!"

Lee Tae-Poong guided Kang Si-Ah's arms into the sleeves, then knelt down and zipped the jacket up from the bottom. Kang Si-Ah's eyes curved into half-moons as she burst into laughter. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

At that moment, I found yet another reason to protect Lee Tae-Poong. If someone who bonded with her like a real dad got hurt, Kang Si-Ah would be devastated. I had to protect him, no matter what.

Dressed and ready, Lee Tae-Poong held Kang Si-Ah's hand and walked down to the first floor.

I quickly called out to Lee Dae-Ho before he followed them. "Did you put the lightweight protective gear on Tae-Poong?"

I had custom-ordered lightweight gear for his body and stored it at the lodge.

Lee Dae-Ho shook his head and said, "No, not yet. He said he didn't like it because it's uncomfortable."

"Make him wear it today, even if he hates it. I noticed thick ice sheets hidden under the snow on the way to the lodge. If he falls, he could get hurt."

A winter downpour had melted the snow a few days ago, but then a cold front moved in, likely forming thick ice. And with snow covering it again, no one could predict what dangers lay beneath.

"Got it."

Lee Dae-Ho said the gear was on the first floor and ran down quickly. I checked the planner again, but the schedule entry still hadn't changed.

'So it's not this either?'

My lips grew increasingly dry out of nervousness. I felt like running downstairs and chugging the boiling water from the kettle on the wood stove.

But I had no intention of giving up.

***

I went down to the first floor and taught Go Jae-Soo a meditative breathing technique. Surprisingly, Go Jae-Soo quickly managed to control his breathing and soon calmed down.

After settling him, I left Cheonwang Lodge right away. Outside, the crew was busily preparing for the shoot.

It was currently 8:50 a.m. Since there was still time before 10, I started inspecting potentially dangerous areas.

The first place I checked was the slope behind Cheonwang Lodge, where the chase scene would be filmed. But due to the heavy snowfall, all I saw were mounds of snow and jagged trees poking through.

I called out to Park Cheol-Yung, the senior production team lead. "Excuse me... Mr. Park."

"Yes? What is it?"

"Sorry to bother you, but I need to know exactly where we'll be filming the slope chase scene."

Park Cheol-Yung pointed at a large tree up ahead. "Do you see the green chroma key tape in the middle of that tree?"

Looking closely, I saw the green tape attached among the trees.

"Yes, I see it. Is that where the path is?"

"Yeah. If you're worried about the stones on the ground, don't be. We already checked everything before the snow fell."

Park Cheol-Yung was someone who prioritized safety, and it showed. He had checked thoroughly beyond my expectations.

Still, the Everyday schedule entry hadn't changed, so I didn't relax and kept checking other areas.

Soon, I headed toward Lee Tae-Poong and Kang Si-Ah, who were waiting on the lodge's front balcony for their scene.

***

At the balcony in front of Cheonwang Lodge, Lee Tae-Poong and Kang Si-Ah were sitting side by side in script chairs, discussing the scene.

"Sweetie. When we run away and you're in my arms, make sure to hold onto my neck tightly, okay?"

Kang Si-Ah pressed her wrists together and wrapped her arms around Lee Tae-Poong's neck. "Okay. I'll do it like this. Tightly."

They were rehearsing Scene 122, which was about to be filmed.

In Scene 122, the protagonist escapes the lodge with his daughter while his hands are tied with a climbing rope. It was a stealthy escape from the psychopathic killer Oh Myung-Jin, and Lee Tae-Poong would be fleeing without hiking boots, wearing only hiking socks.

I worried he might step on a nail or something, so I began inspecting the balcony.

Just then, production team member Choi Min-Kwon walked by and answered me. "Mr. Jung, there aren't any exposed nails. We've checked multiple times already."

"It's just that I tend to worry too much. I'm sorry if I'm making a fuss."

"Not at all. Honestly, it's nice to see."

Choi Min-Kwon smiled and walked off. Clearly, the thoroughness of the team lead extended to the team members.

Still, with the Everyday alert hanging over me, I checked Lee Tae-Poong's hiking socks.

"Tae-Poong, how are the socks feeling?"

Lee Tae-Poong paused his chat with Kang Si-Ah and looked at me. "I wore two layers just like you said. Inside are the waterproof ones you prepared."

"What about the anti-slip tape on the outer socks?"

"Of course I attached it."

Lee Tae-Poong took off his shoes and held up his socks. The bottoms of his colorful hiking socks were reinforced with anti-slip tape, stitched securely with needle and thread.

"Still, be careful. They're not spikes. If you step on ice, you might slip."

"Okay, I got it. But Yoon-Ho hyung, aren't you worrying a bit too much today?"

For a moment, I wanted to show him Everyday and read him the schedule entry. But since I was the only one who could see this planner in this world, I couldn't.

"It's the final shoot. We gotta stay cautious till the end, you know."

A few days ago, the rain had melted the snow and then another snowfall covered everything. That meant there could be sharp ice hidden beneath the surface.

I double-checked Lee Tae-Poong's protective gear and added, "Tae-Poong, if you feel like something's off while acting, stop right away. Don't push through like Mr. Jae-Soo did."

"Don't worry. I'm not like Jae-Soo hyung these days."

"Oh, sure. You still lose it the moment filming starts."

Lee Tae-Poong was an acting fanatic. Knowing his true nature, I couldn't take his words at face value.

After checking on Lee Tae-Poong, I repeated my warning to Kang Si-Ah several times. "Si-Ah. No matter how busy filming gets today, you have to speak up right away if anything feels dangerous or painful. Okay?"

Child actors often got too scared to speak up when adults raised their voices around them. That was how they sometimes ended up getting hurt.

Kang Si-Ah raised her hand high and replied, "Okay, Uncle!"

"Good. You got this, Si-Ah."

With both Lee Tae-Poong and Kang Si-Ah firmly warned, preparations for filming wrapped up. It was now 8:55 a.m.

Just then, Park Sun-Jae stood in front of the monitors set up in the clearing and grabbed the megaphone.

"We'll start with Scene 122, the one where they escape from the lodge. Staff, give the signal when ready. Mr. Tae-Poong and Si-Ah, go inside the lodge and get ready."

Park Sun-Jae then picked up the walkie-talkie.

"Mr. Jae-Soo, can you hear me inside the lodge?"

Static, crackle.

-Yes, I hear you clearly.

"When I give the sign, be ready to scream."

-Yes, sir!

At Park Sun-Jae's instructions, the staff and actors began to move swiftly. Meanwhile, Lee Tae-Poong held Kang Si-Ah's hand and entered Cheonwang Lodge. The crew signaled readiness via walkie-talkie.

There was still an hour left until the supposed incident, but I couldn't relax. After all, I still hadn't figured out the cause.

Moments later, Park Sun-Jae sat in front of the monitor and took the megaphone again. "Alright~ if everyone's ready, let's begin the final shoot. Ready~~~ action!"

"Action!"

With Scene 122, the final day of shooting for Jiri Mountain began.

***

Creak.

Lee Tae-Poong slowly opened the door of Cheonwang Lodge, making almost no sound from the hinges.

He opened it just wide enough for one person to squeeze through. With his hands bound with tape, Lee Tae-Poong stepped out, carrying Kang Si-Ah in his arms.

In the scene, the main character had his shoes taken by the psychopathic killer Oh Myung-Jin, so Lee Tae-Poong was barefoot except for hiking socks.

Holding his breath, Lee Tae-Poong carried Kang Si-Ah down the balcony step by step and descended the wooden stairs.

Creak, creak.

Though he tried to avoid making noise, the old wooden stairs groaned loudly. Sweat beaded and rolled down Lee Tae-Poong's tense forehead. When the creaking stopped, only the wind brushing past the lodge could be heard.

Whosh~

Lee Tae-Poong clenched his teeth and took another step. He stepped into the cold snow, but his expression showed no sign of feeling the biting chill. Overwhelmed by the urgency and fear that the killer might threaten his daughter, all he showed was desperation.

Finally, away from the lodge railing, Lee Tae-Poong began pushing through knee-high snow and headed toward the mountain.

Then Kang Si-Ah, cradled in his arms, whispered.

『Daddy, aren't your feet cold?』

『Daddy's fine. But Yung-Ah, remember our promise? From now on, we need to be quiet. Shhh.』

『Mmph!』

Kang Si-Ah covered her mouth with both hands. Without scolding her, Lee Tae-Poong picked up his pace.

At that moment, Park Sun-Jae whispered into his walkie-talkie.

"Three seconds."

Exactly three seconds after Park Sun-Jae's call, a shrieking voice burst out from the slightly opened door of Cheonwang Lodge.

『Kang Dae-Hyun! You fucking bastard, how dare you lie to me!? Aaaaargh!』

The chilling scream filled with rage made the hairs on my neck stand on end. Some staff members even visibly shuddered.

That's when Park Sun-Jae cried out, "Cut~! Okay!"

The murderous roar echoing through Jiri Mountain drew an instant okay from Park Sun-Jae. I immediately ran over to Lee Tae-Poong with a folding chair, blanket, and hot packs.

"Tae-Poong, put your feet up."

Lee Tae-Poong pulled his feet out of the snow and rested them on the chair. "Ugh, even with waterproof socks, my feet are freezing."

Scene 122, which was originally scheduled for 10 a.m, had ended, but the alert still hadn't disappeared. As expected, the danger didn't lie in the filming itself.

It was now 9:10 a.m.

There were still 50 minutes left until the expected incident.

***

Park Sun-Jae, satisfied with nailing Scene 122 in one take, immediately moved on to the next shoot.

"If everyone's ready, we'll go right into Scene 123. Are you all set?"

Scene 123 was where the psychopathic killer Oh Myung-Jin came out of the lodge to chase the escaping pair.

-Yes, sir.

The staff signaled readiness through the walkie-talkie. Facing Cheonwang Lodge, Park Sun-Jae grabbed both the walkie-talkie and megaphone and called out loudly.

"Ready~ Action!"

As soon as the filming began, the half-open door of the lodge swung open violently.

Bang.

Go Jae-Soo kicked the door open with his hair disheveled. With a bloodstained hiking knife in his right hand, Go Jae-Soo looked murderous as he shouted toward the mountain.

『Ready or not~ Here I come~』

Go Jae-Soo began to laugh maniacally while staring up the mountain. His eyes burned with madness, and the corners of his mouth curled up.

『In the end, you'll all be buried here in Jiri Mountain with me... Why waste your energy running? Huh? Hehehe...』

Go Jae-Soo perfectly portrayed the psychopathic killer who, after murdering the father and daughter, planned to end his own life.

『Come on, buddy~~ Let's play~~』

Listening to Go Jae-Soo's crazed shouting, Park Sun-Jae continued filming for a while.

"Cut!"

As soon as the okay was given, Go Jae-Soo's legs wobbled. Playing a character so different from his real personality had drained him mentally.

"Alright, let's move straight to Scene 124. If you feel like you can't go on, come tell me directly."

At that, Go Jae-Soo shouted, "I'm... okay. I want to hold on to this feeling."

"Got it."

Park Sun-Jae wasted no time giving instructions for the next scene.

Scene 124 was Lee Tae-Poong running down a mountain slope while carrying Kang Si-Ah. Scene 125 was Go Jae-Soo chasing them, and Scene 126 involved hiding Kang Si-Ah behind a rock. Finally, Scene 127 was a fight between Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo.

However, filming was going faster than expected. Scenes that were supposed to take time were getting approved in a single take, making it impossible to guess where the problem might occur.

Current time was 9:20 a.m.

There were still 40 minutes until the incident.

***

"Cut~! Okay!! Great work, everyone."

From Scene 124 through 127, the actors pulled off a flawless performance without a single NG.

Usually, there would be one or two retakes due to sound or camera issues, but today, everything was clicking perfectly. Thanks to that, the atmosphere on set was at its peak. As a result, my backup plan to suggest delaying the shoot if all else failed was now in jeopardy.

With the mood this high, neither Park Sun-Jae nor the staff nor the actors would accept a halt in filming.

Just as I was struggling with what to do, Park Sun-Jae gave instructions for the next scenes.

"Alright, let's move straight to the most important Scenes 130 and 131. Once we shoot these, we'll take a break, so let's all focus until the end. Got it?"

These two scenes were the highlights of the film. Scene 130 was the fight between the main character Kang Dae-Hyun and the killer Oh Myung-Jin on a cliff. Scene 131 was when the killer, having slipped, clung to Kang Dae-Hyun's hand and then fell off the cliff.

Though it would look like they were falling from a sheer cliff hundreds of meters high, it was actually shot on a rocky outcrop extending slightly from a slope. This outcrop, about 2 meters wide and long, jutted horizontally from the slope like the eaves of a traditional house. The drop from the edge to the slope below was about 2.5 meters, which was not that high.

The plan was to place a green chroma key cloth just below the rock and later use CGI to create the appearance of a cliff. To prevent injuries, thick mattresses were laid under the green cloth. Additionally, each actor was attached to a harness connected to a pulley system, ensuring double-layered safety.

The time was now 9:40 a.m. Only 20 minutes remained until the predicted accident.

"Alright~ once the pulley check is complete, we'll begin filming right away."

At Park Sun-Jae's order, the staff headed toward the pulley system. At this rate, the accident would definitely happen during this scene despite the double safety measures.

I decided I had to stop the shoot. Even after all the precautions and prep work, I still couldn't pinpoint the cause of the danger.

As I racked my brain for a way to stop the shoot without disrupting everything, Lee Yung-Jin approached me.

"Mr. Jung, you don't look so good. Why don't you go inside and rest a bit?"

"No, I'm fine."

"If not that, how about I bring you a warm cup of tea?"

And then it hit me—A way to naturally pull Lee Tae-Poong out of the scene without dampening the crew's spirits.

'Yes, there was that method!'