Chapter 51: Filming Commences.

"Fight for My Way" was finally about to begin filming.

The script reading sessions had lasted for three rounds in total, and Myung Eon had even provided screenwriter Lim Sang-chun with quite a few personal insights regarding his character. Their communication had been relatively smooth overall.

He was preparing very earnestly for his first-ever leading role as a male protagonist, without letting his guard down in the slightest despite his past experience.

Director Kim Na-jung had previously mentioned a year-end start, and sure enough, the notice arrived right as December rolled in.

The timing was just right.

As for Kim Ji-won...

Myung Eon had run into her two more times, but each time, that older sister maintained a lukewarm and aloof attitude, acting as if the history between them had never existed.

He had tried calling her privately, and it was only then that he discovered he had been blocked.

Krystal Jung: What kind of a breakup is it if you don't block them?

Tsk, things were starting to get interesting.

Myung Eon couldn't quite figure out what was going on in Kim Ji-won's mind, but if everyone could just maintain this peaceful coexistence, it wouldn't be a bad outcome after all.

He had no intention of rekindling an old flame, and Kim Ji-won wasn't the type of ex-girlfriend who would engage in a farewell hookup after a breakup.

"Director-nim, please take good care of our little Eon."

Jung Won-ryong exchanged pleasantries with the crew members. Actors were responsible for acting well, while managers had to shoulder the task of maintaining interpersonal relationships—from directors and writers down to the staff handing out meal boxes.

You couldn't afford to offend anyone, big or small, or you would easily give people something to gossip about.

"I believe he'll do just fine." After three rounds of script readings, Director Kim Na-jung was now full of confidence regarding her choices for the male and female leads.

She couldn't wait to dive into the work.

Since Korean dramas generally followed a live-shoot format, shooting schedules were rarely disrupted and usually proceeded in chronological order according to the script, which facilitated post-production.

Myung Eon's very first scene involved a comical, chuunibyou-esque high school flashback.

"Jae-hong hyung, please take care of me today."

Ahn Jae-hong, who played the male supporting role, was born in 1986. Now thirty years old, it was admittedly a bit challenging for him to portray a high school student.

However, considering that Ryu Jun-yeol was also thirty when filming "Reply 1988," it seemed completely understandable.

If all else failed, they could rely on makeup. When Myung Eon filmed "Descendants of the Sun," makeup had been used to make him look slightly older; Kim Eun-sook must have put a lot of effort into making Seo Dae-young's age out to be in his late twenties.

"Eon, you're being too polite." The chubby Ahn Jae-hong smiled warmly. The two of them had already gotten acquainted during the script readings.

Although their relationship wasn't particularly close yet, at least the working atmosphere would be free of any issues.

"Alright, first scene, prepare."

With Director Kim Na-jung's call, "Fight for My Way" officially commenced filming.

...

Kim Ji-won's first scene was in another room.

In the series, the male and female leads did not attend the same high school.

Lately, she had been strictly adhering to the plan laid out by Krystal Jung, maintaining a cold and sharp demeanor toward that guy. And honestly? It actually felt pretty great.

The only problem was that Myung Eon didn't seem particularly eager, and their interactions during this period had been strictly confined within professional boundaries.

That guy didn't show an ounce of desire to cross the line.

Could this approach have been wrong?

"Ji-won-ssi, please get ready."

The set here was under the charge of Assistant Director Kim Dong-hwi.

"Got it." Kim Ji-won temporarily pushed those messy thoughts to the back of her mind and concentrated on preparing for the shoot.

She couldn't treat her first lead role casually.

...

One of the plot points in the first episode involved the male lead participating in a taekwondo competition.

As soon as Myung Eon finished his classroom scenes, he changed into his dobok. The uniform provided by the production team ran a bit large and wasn't quite as comfortable to wear as the ones at the dojang.

Before filming started, he stretched his limbs, recalling the techniques that Yoo Ji-min had taught him.

"Eon, have you practiced taekwondo before?"

Kim Sung-oh, who played the male lead's coach in the drama, asked with curiosity upon seeing Myung Eon's movements.

How should one describe this hyung's appearance... Perhaps calling him the Korean Jacky Heung would be fitting, or maybe he resembled Jam Hsiao; in short, he possessed a distinct, rugged, and bustling-with-life kind of look.

"The director-nim mentioned that I needed to practice, so I crammed and practiced for a few days at the last minute." Myung Eon didn't dare mention that his coach was actually a sixteen-year-old girl.

Regardless, Yoo Ji-min was a black belt.

Kim Sung-oh gave him a thumbs-up.

He had inquired about Myung Eon's background; the young man's journey since debut had been exceptionally smooth. As a protégé of the renowned screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, he could be considered successful at a young age, yet his reputation in the industry was stellar.

The entertainment world was full of acts, and many popular celebrities wore two completely different faces front and backstage. Only through insider information could one glimpse a person's true character.

Fortunately, Myung Eon wasn't the kind of male lead who was difficult to work with.

Kim Ji-won had to be present for this scene as well.

She was touching up her makeup nearby, stealing glances at Myung Eon through the corner of her eye. Since when did this guy know taekwondo?

"Alright, actors ready."

Director Kim Na-jung methodically directed the shoot.

Myung Eon stepped onto the mat and nodded toward the director.

"OK, action." At Kim Na-jung's command, the set immediately shifted into gear.

Kim Ji-won and the other actors sat in their designated spots, fixing their concentrated gazes on the "match" unfolding below.

In this scene, the female lead's role was to cheer for Myung Eon, albeit purely in the capacity of a good friend.

Down by the ring, Kim Sung-oh shouted frantically, "Dong-man, use your legs! Use your legs!"

On the platform, Myung Eon dodged and parried awkwardly, making even Kim Ji-won feel a bit nervous. Injuries during filming were entirely possible, and no one could guarantee absolute safety.

Kim Na-jung nodded inwardly. Kim Ji-won truly lived up to being her chosen female lead; her subtle micro-expressions were vividly expressive.

And Myung Eon's taekwondo movements were equally impressive—the visual effect clearly showed he had trained.

Professional, simply too professional.

"Use your kick, Go Dong-man! Fighting!"

Kim Ji-won sprung up from her seat and shouted at the top of her lungs.

Recalling the techniques she had recently practiced with Yoo Ji-min, Myung Eon heard Kim Ji-won's shouts, decisively executed a spinning kick, and neatly brought the shot to a close.

Song Ha-yoon looked at Kim Ji-won, feeling that the latter's performance just now didn't look like acting at all. No wonder she was able to land the female lead role.

She still had a lot to learn.

"Cut, very good." Kim Na-jung was thoroughly satisfied with the footage.

Both Myung Eon and Kim Ji-won had infused their own understanding into shaping their characters, which was the basic quality of an exceptional actor.

Wonderful, it simply couldn't get any better than this.

Seizing a brief gap, Myung Eon quietly approached Kim Ji-won. "Ji-won noona..."

"What is it? I told you we need to keep our distance."

"I just wanted to remind you, your wig is crooked. That bowl cut really doesn't suit you."