Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 850: First Filming of Haze (4)

The children of the traditional folk song choir sat with their legs stretched out, having lost focus.

Standing before them, Miso gave a smile and slowly began to perform a Korean dance. Step by step, her shoulders swayed as she held her skirt with one hand. This was the dance that Illyeong performed for the children in Haze.

Since Illyeong was originally the daughter of a shaman, Miso had learned Korean dance just for this one scene. And because her instructors were none other than Living National Treasure Yeon Hwa-Seon and Yoo-Jin, Miso's dance was on a level far beyond her peers.

The moment Miso began, the previously distracted children fell under her spell, their attention fully drawn to her movements.

Captivating every eye in the room, Miso then began to sing a traditional folk song from Namhae.

『Clouds over Geumsan~

Are you carrying snow or rain~

Neither snow nor rain you bring~

But a song, I've loaded on your back.

You, who bear the song, now sing it~

I'll play the rhythm and dance along.

Oh, how wonderful~

Ji-hwaja, how lovely~』

Miso's clear and graceful voice rang out, bright and pure, as if it could reach Geumsan of Namhae beyond the mountains.

When the children of the choir recognized the song they were meant to sing, their focus deepened and they began to murmur with admiration.

-Wow, she's really good.

-She speaks our dialect better than us.

-She sounds just like my granny!

-Should we sing with her?

-Let's listen a little more.

The children were no longer restless performers but entranced spectators, fully immersed in Miso's song. However, it wasn't just the children who were mesmerized. The staff stood frozen, just as captivated.

That was when PD Oh Sang-Do urgently whispered to the camera director. "Mr. Kim! Start filming! Hurry! Now!"

Camera Director Kim Han-Sol answered calmly. "I had a feeling Miso would do something, so I already started rolling. Don't worry, I'm getting everything."

"Oh, really? Good job. From now on, focus the camera on Miso's dance. Is the jimmy jib running?"

"Oh come on, sir. You know I'm ten steps ahead. We've been shooting since the start."

Relieved by the camera crew's quick action, Oh Sang-Do let out a deep breath of satisfaction. Then, suddenly realizing something, he turned to the sound director.

The sound director smiled and said, "I figured something was about to happen, so I started recording as well. You're good."

"I live because of this team."

"Haha. Didn't Chief Jung pull this stunt?"

'But what did I even do? All I'd asked was for Miso to sing and gather the children's scattered focus.'

All of this was solely thanks to Miso, who captivated everyone with a performance that exceeded even my expectations.

At that moment, Miso looked at the children, wiggled her fingers, and began to speak.

『Hey, can I join too? I want to play with you guys...』

This was the scene where Miso, while singing, asked the children if she could play with them. It was Scene 5.

'I didn't even ask her to go that far...'

But the next moment, the children rose to their feet as if enchanted.

『Yeah! Let's all play together!』

『Yeah, let's play!』

The children stood up and walked over to Miso, reaching out to hold her hands. The moment she grasped their hands, Miso burst into delighted laughter.

'Whoa, what is this?'

Something completely unexpected was unfolding. Miso had swept the children, who were mere spectators, straight into the world of Scene 5.

『Clouds over Geumsan~

Are you carrying snow or rain~

Neither snow nor rain you bring~

...』

As the children held Miso's hands and began to sing with her, their clear voices layered one over another, creating a tremble like a mountain echo.

The moment blurred the line between performance and reality, and the staff couldn't hide their amazement.

"What is this?"

"Did she just take us right into Scene 5?"

"Wow, this is insane..."

"How does a kid act like that?"

In the midst of it all, Miso fully became Illyeong and played with the village children. Her performance grew deeper and richer. And it wasn't just the children and staff who fell under her spell.

"Goodness~ she's incredible~"

"How are the kids this good?"

"She's like a nightingale. A nightingale!"

Clap, clap, clap.

The elders of Hodo Village began applauding enthusiastically. Some even stood up, swaying their shoulders as they approached the children.

In the end, the laughter of singing children and joyful elders filled the forest of Hodo.

『Kya-haha!』

『Olssu~ Jeolssu~』

『Ji-hwaja, how lovely~!』

The scene of Illyeong coming down to the village, playing with the children, and bonding with the townspeople came to a perfect close.

And then—

[Everyday V13]

[Date: April 5, 2021]

-11:00 a.m <Schedule Entry Deleted>

(Deleted Schedule Entry: [NEW: Jung Miso]

Shoot of the day canceled.

(Emergency meeting note: Rescheduling required.))

Thanks to the moment Miso had created, even Everyday's schedule entry was being wiped clean.

***

"Cut! That was perfect! We're locking Scene 5 as-is!"

As Oh Sang-Do gave the signal, the staff erupted into cheers.

"Wow! How does a child actor pull off something like that? Seriously, amazing, Jung Miso."

"Her dancing's top-tier too."

"What she showed at the script reading was just a trailer."

"At this rate, Miso's gonna win an award by the end of the year, isn't she?"

The crew couldn't hide their excitement, their faces flushed with admiration.

Finishing her performance, Miso bowed deeply, holding hands with the children she had sung with. "Thank you."

The staff responded with loud applause for Miso and the kids.

That's when Ju Yung-In, the lead actress of Haze, walked over and grumbled. "Like mother, like daughter. What, are they eating 'acting-acting fruit' every day or something?"

We had grown a little closer recently, but that didn't erase the competitive edge that came with being fellow actors.

Still grumbling, Ju Yung-In looked at me and asked, "Oppa. Is she getting some kind of secret training or what?"

"She's been learning steadily from Ms. Choi Ji-Yung and Yoo-Jin. As for the dance, Ms. Yeon Hwa-Seon's health has improved a bit, so she's been watching over her too."

"Hah, seriously. Maybe I need to go find myself some teachers."

That's when Sung Gyu-Hwan, the male lead of Haze, walked over. "Yung-In. Maybe we should be rehearsing tomorrow's scenes or something instead of just standing around?"

"Ugh, maybe you're right."

Ju Yung-In began to seriously consider it. For someone confident in her acting, the fact that she was even debating whether to rehearse a day in advance rather than right before shooting said a lot. It just showed how powerful Miso's performance had been. And somehow, that made me proud too.

"Uncle Yoon-Ho~"

Miso, looking proud after fulfilling my request so brilliantly, came running toward me. With a thump, she threw herself into my arms.

I immediately held out a Powertuff Girls character drink I had set aside. "Miso, here, have this."

"Okay."

Miso took the drink with both hands and gulped it down.

"Ahh~"

With a satisfied sigh, Miso smiled brightly.

I had only asked her to sing and dance a bit, but she had done so much more.

"Miso, why did you jump straight into Scene 5 like that?" I asked.

Miso gave a sheepish smile. "Well... when I was acting as Illyeong who wanted to play with the kids, I just kind of wanted to play with them too."

"Without even thinking about it?"

"Yeah. But... was I not supposed to?"

Of course she was. Bringing others into a performance like that was something most people can't do even if they want to.

I shook my head. "No, you did great. Keep doing whatever comes to mind, okay? Thanks to you, we'll probably be able to use that take of Scene 5 as-is."

Miso winked at me and said in a playful tone, "Then Uncle Yoon-Ho, can I go play with the kids just a bit longer? Please? Just five more minutes. No, ten! Okay?"

Putting her hands together and twisting her body, Miso looked every bit the eight-year-old she was, a stark contrast from the commanding presence she had shown earlier on set.

"Pfft. Okay. We're shooting again after lunch, so go ahead. But make sure you stay where I can see you, okay?"

"Yay! Got it! And Auntie Yung-In, Uncle Gyu-Hwan, see you later!"

Miso handed me the drink again, waved at Ju Yung-In and Sung Gyu-Hwan, then darted off toward the other children.

As Miso disappeared, Ju Yung-In let out a long sigh. "God... if she had at least said she thought through that scene, I could accept it. But..."

Sung Gyu-Hwan nodded beside her. "That's what they call talent, huh."

Then Ju Yung-In said sharply, "Gyu-Hwan oppa. Let's go rehearse. If we stay like this, we're going to get completely outshined by her."

"Yeah. Let's do that."

Ju Yung-In's tone was a bit sharper now. Clearly, Miso's talent had lit a fire in her. Though she had warmed up to Miso lately, this was different. It had to do with pride as an actor.

"Yoon-Ho oppa. If anyone asks, tell them we're down by the base of the mountain rehearsing."

"Got it. Take care."

Ju Yung-In and Sung Gyu-Hwan headed off toward the mountain with their talent agents in tow.

I turned my gaze to Miso, now playing with the children. Just as they said, Miso wasn't acting from thought but from instinct. Because of that, even I couldn't fully measure the extent of her potential. Sometimes, I even wondered if she had more talent than Yoo-Jin.

At that moment, I realized what I had to do. If Miso's talent was to fully bloom, I couldn't set limits or boundaries. I needed to let her act freely just as she was doing now, following her instincts.

'That's right. Do whatever you want, Miso. I will always be here, watching over you.'

With that quiet promise to myself, I kept my eyes on Miso, making sure she wouldn't get hurt.

***

The morning shoot had ended.

The staff, the children's traditional folk choir, and the village elders all made their way down to the village to eat the lunch prepared by the production team at the village hall.

After finishing their meals early, a few of the boys began pestering Jung Sang-Bong.

"Mister! Show us a spin kick!"

Even though the morning's promised gifts were to be sent later to the choir's address, the kids were far more interested in seeing a kick from the Taekwondo gold medalist. In the end, Jung Sang-Bong pulled three apples from the supply box and stood in the open space in front of the village hall.

He handed me one of the apples. "Mr. Jung, could you toss this one up into the air?"

"All three?"

"No, just one."

"What about the other two?"

"I've got plans for those."

I had no idea what he was planning, but I got into position, ready to toss the apple.

Then, Jung Sang-Bong gave a sharp shout. "Haap!"

I threw the apple high into the air. In a flash, Jung Sang-Bong leapt up, spinning his body midair. And just as his foot struck the airborne apple, it exploded midair and shattered to pieces.

Smack!

And at that exact moment, Jung Sang-Bong landed softly on the ground.

Tap.

The children burst into applause.

"Wow!"

"That was awesome!"

"Jung Sang-Bong! Gold medal!"

Maybe this was what I should have shown them earlier when they started losing focus. Even the staff, who were stepping outside the village hall with coffee in hand, joined in the applause without hesitation.

Then, Jung Sang-Bong gave a sly smile and said to the kids,

"Want to see something even cooler?"

Boys and girls alike shouted in unison, "Yes!"

I wondered what he was planning this time, just as he walked over to me, where I was still holding the two apples.

"Now it's your turn, Mr. Jung."

"Huh? My turn for what?"

"I'll toss the apples. You can break at least one with your fist, right?"

I had mentioned once that I could smash an apple with my bare fist, but I didn't think he would remember that.

"Wait... so that's why you brought three apples?"

Jung Sang-Bong grinned.

"Of course."

Clearly, he was trying to get back at me for leaving him to handle the kids all morning.

"You'll do it, right?"

One look in Jung Sang-Bong's eyes, and I knew I couldn't say no.

'Fine. Why not?'

I nodded. "Stagger the timing when you throw them."

"Got it!"

I took a deep breath and squared up.

At that moment, Jung Sang-Bong turned back to the kids and said, "Keep your eyes wide open, everyone. Blink, and you'll miss it."

Just as the children nodded, Jung Sang-Bong tossed the apple into the air. The apple soared upward, then began to fall.

Whoosh, whoosh.

I took a short breath and alternated both fists forward.

Smack. Smack.

The apples burst midair, exploding into fragments. However, the kids didn't say a word. I guess the punches didn't have the same impact as the spinning kick.

Feeling a little awkward, I scratched my head—when Jo Ill-Jong, the kid who called himself Fog man, suddenly jumped up and let out a shout from deep in his belly.

"Whoa! That was awesome!"

Immediately, the other kids joined in.

"I couldn't even see his hands!"

"That was amazing!"

"Wow! Show us again!"

"Again! Again!"

And there it was—their signature chant: "Again!"

"Guys, you really shouldn't be playing with food..."

Before I could finish my sentence, Jung Sang-Bong was already standing there with two more apples in his hands.

"Mr. Jung, how about one more time?"

Before I knew it, the staff and the village elders had gathered around too.

"We missed it."

"Do it again! There was this flash or something!"

"Please, Mr. Jung! Show us too!"

Now that everyone had eaten, they rushed over and sat down in front of me.

Even Miso, eyes wide with excitement, was shouting from the front. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! One more time! One more time!"

With Miso leading the cheer, everyone clapped and chanted together.

"One more time! One more time!"

The open field in front of the village hall filled with voices.

Jung Sang-Bong shouted like an old market hawker who had long disappeared from rural towns. "Step right up! This doesn't come every day! Focus, now! It's the last show!"

It was ridiculous, but after how hard Jung Sang-Bong had worked wrangling kids all day, I figured I could humor him.

"Sang-Bong, grab two more apples. I'll do four this time. Let's make it count."

Just then, President Han Yoo-Sik appeared, holding apples in both hands. "Here you go. Hahaha."

Jung Sang-Bong took the apples, grinned, and called out,

"Shall we begin?"

At that moment, I shouted like some street performer preparing for a feat of strength.

"Dda Dda~ Dda! Toss 'em!"

Red apples soared high into the sky.

***

At 4 p.m., the children's traditional folk choir left the island. Afterward, the staff and village elders regrouped and began the climb back up the mountain because we had night scenes to shoot.

By then, a thick evening fog had rolled in, blurring our view. The drop in temperature made it chilly, but the atmosphere was perfect for the scene ahead.

Holding hands as we climbed the mountain set together, Miso chirped with excitement. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, I think the heavens are helping our drama do well!"

I smiled. "Looks like it. You worked hard today, so maybe that's why the skies are on our side."

"Heehee. Then I'll work even harder!"

The upcoming scenes—Scenes 10 through 12—began with Miso trapped inside a ritual jar and showed her slowly starving to death over a week. They were horrifying scenes. Nevertheless, Miso seemed completely unbothered.

However, when we arrived at the set on the mountaintop, the atmosphere among the staff felt tense.

"The ritual jar is in place. But... I'm not sure this is okay, sir."

The crew let out a sigh as they positioned the jar in front of Wolryeong's shrine. The jar Miso would have to enter was only about 70cm tall, made of deep black ceramic, and covered in eerie red ritual symbols. It had originally been a wooden barrel, but we switched to this jar for a more realistic effect.

Still, with the temperature dropping and Miso in a thin hanbok, the idea of her getting into that tight jar had everyone worried.

Eventually, Oh Sang-Do spotted us and waved. As we approached, he cautiously asked in a concerned tone, "Chief Jung... I've been thinking. If we push ahead with filming now, I'm worried little Miso might get scared. Should we just rest today and shoot this scene tomorrow morning?"

The rest of the staff looked at Miso with the same anxious expression.

'Had they already forgotten the level of performance Miso gave that morning?'

They were seeing her again as just another child actor.

I turned to Miso and asked, "What do you think, Miso? Want to shoot it tomorrow morning?"

Miso pressed her lips together and shook her head. "No! I want to do it now."

But then, something flashed across her face—an emotion I hadn't expected.

'Miso... is angry.'