Chapter 98.1

Chapter 98.1

Miran glanced between the two of them.

Had she done well, or badly?

Suddenly Seunghyuk strode to the storeroom door, flung it open, and shouted,

“That’s a wrap! Finished! The End!”

Miran’s eyes went wide. Over in a single take? She couldn’t believe it. He’d only told her “bright and lovely,” with no special direction, and she hadn’t even shown as much as they’d agreed on.

“Oppa-I mean, Director! Really… that’s it?”

“Yeah, that’s it. Even if we shot it ten more times, I couldn’t get anything better than this. You nailed it, Michelle.”

Miran stood there biting her lip, then bowed deeply to him. For some reason, her throat tightened.

“…Thank you so much for giving me this chance.”

“What are you talking about? I should be the one thanking you. Now let’s pack up and eat. What do you want? My treat.”

He patted her on the shoulder.

At the snack shop next to Flushing Video, the team pushed two tables together and ordered a spread of dishes, all on Seunghyuk’s tab.

Miran had never realized how comfortable it felt to eat with people who shared the same tastes. Seunghyuk made sure to order the tteokbokki and soondae she’d been craving, and for good measure, a few bottles of soju too.

The crew cheered, swearing lifelong loyalty to Director Nam Seunghyuk, while producer Hyunsoo grumbled about being stuck as the designated driver. Everyone else downed their drinks like water, buzzing with excitement.

“Michelle unnie, you’re soooooo F~c.kin’ pretty! I’m gonna dream of Michelle tonight!”

Esther, sitting beside her, gave a thumbs-up in halting Korean that was about on par with Miran’s English.

“Thank you so much, Esther.”

Miran giggled. She’d assumed Esther was older, so finding out she was actually a year younger had been a shock.

Across the table, Seunghyuk refilled her glass with soju.

“The only scene left with Michelle is the final audition scene. We’ll probably shoot that around mid-September. There’s a Korea location shoot in between, so we’re still adjusting dates. I’ll let you know once it’s set.”

“Yes, Director. By the way, today’s shoot was really fun.”

“Was it? I’m glad.”

Seunghyuk poured himself a glass, then held it out to her with a smile.

“Kang Michelle, you were incredible today.”

Miran ducked her head with a shy laugh, clinking her glass against his.

“Thank you for filming me so well.”

He tossed back the shot in one gulp, then gazed at her for a moment before lowering his head. When he looked up again, his cheeks were flushed like someone already tipsy.

“Kang-gun, this is really strange.”

“What is?”

“My philosophy’s always been that a director should fall in love with the subject while filming. Once it’s over, you pull yourself out of it. But actually doing it… the feeling lingers longer than I expected. Maybe it’s because I’m so attached to a character I created.”

Miran blinked, unsure how to respond, but Seunghyuk lifted a hand as if to reassure her.

“I just mean you acted so well. You made Michelle feel like she was really alive. I had chills the whole time. Honestly, it’s the first time I’ve ever felt this way.”

He held his glass out to her again. Miran carefully tapped hers against it.

Seunghyuk gave a wry smile and muttered under his breath.

“I think I’m starting to understand why that great man is so hung up on you.”

—

“Just drop me off in front of Lincoln Center.”

“Where’s your place? I’ll take you all the way home.”

At the wheel, Hyunsu asked her.

“My building’s entrance is on Central Park West, but since it’s a one-way, you’d have to loop around. It’s only a three-minute walk from Lincoln Center. It’s not a dangerous area, so it’s fine.”

“Really? Alright then, get home safe. See you again, Michelle!”

Hyunsu pulled the van up at the crosswalk in front of Lincoln Center.

“Thank you! See you next time!”

Before getting out, Miran turned back to wave, and the van erupted in loud farewells.

The summer night air felt sweet. She thought again how glad she was to have joined Flushing Video. Even if her dream of being an actress had withered before it could really bloom, at least this was a graceful way to close that chapter.

Even the lights of Lincoln Center seemed to sparkle more beautifully tonight. People in elegant gowns and tailored suits streamed toward the entrance. It must have been a special performance.