LS Ch 22

Come to think of it, being embraced like this by someone was the first time since he was a child. Especially with someone his age, there was no such occasion. Even in a drama, if he was embraced, it was usually by an older actor in a comforting scene.

Maybe that’s why he was even more nervous with Kang Yiwon’s scent so close. It was fortunate. ‘Haeyul’ was supposed to be confused by ‘Geonhwon’s’ actions, so even if his nervousness showed, it wasn’t strange.

“What will happen if I don’t push you away?”

Ignoring the pounding of his heart, he continued with his lines. Yiwon, who had loosened his embrace, looked down at Jewoo. No, ‘Geonhwon’ was looking down at ‘Haeyul’. As their eyes met, the distance between them narrowed suddenly. In that instant, Jewoo instinctively stepped back.

“Cut!”

Only then did he realize his mistake at the director’s shout. He shouldn’t have avoided it. ‘Geonhwon’ was supposed to kiss ‘Haeyul’ without any chance for avoidance.

“Jewoo, were you nervous?”

The director asked with a laugh. There was an atmosphere of amusement since Jewoo, who never made mistakes, had done so.

“I’m sorry. Let’s do it again.”

He bowed deeply and took a big breath. Yiwon, seeing Jewoo’s chest heaving, smirked.

“Why are you acting so unlike yourself?”

Yiwon seemed surprised that Jewoo had made an NG. Jewoo had no words to reply. Even he didn’t know why he was so tense unlike usual.

“Sorry. Let’s go again.”

Since they had to reshoot because of him, he apologized, but Yiwon just shrugged his shoulders. It was as if he was asking why he was apologizing for that, but for Jewoo, the significance wasn’t important. If he didn’t concentrate properly, he’d keep making NGs before even getting to the kissing scene.

The filming started again. This time, Jewoo didn’t avoid Yiwon as he closed the distance, but his body stiffened unconsciously. The director didn’t call cut, perhaps seeing it as ‘Haeyul’s’ tension.

Kang Yiwon’s lips brushed against his. Frozen, their lips pressed against each other, not just touching but overlapping as if crushed. Feeling the sensation of his lips being licked, Jewoo’s upper body trembled again. It wasn’t just the lips; Kang Yiwon’s tongue slipped between his lips and into his mouth.

Until then, ‘Haeyul’ couldn’t even blink with his wide eyes. When he finally closed his eyes tightly as per the script, Kang Yiwon’s presence inside his mouth felt even more vivid. It was his first time being led in a kiss. Whether it was due to the unfamiliarity or because it had been so long since he’d kissed, his mind went blank.

This was during acting… He tried to hold onto his reason, but it wasn’t easy. He was getting more confused about whether this turmoil was his or ‘Haeyul’s’.

After a while, their lips parted. Slowly lifting his eyelids, he looked at ‘Geonhwon’ standing in front of him. Seeing his expression as if he might cry, Jewoo’s heart ached. Even knowing he was ‘Geonhwon’, the name Kang Yiwon seemed to slip through his teeth.

For Jewoo, today’s scene was a complete failure. It was a failed scene where he couldn’t tell if he was acting or just being swept away by the situation.

🎞️✮⋆˙

They decided to cut the scene briefly before moving to the next one, so Jewoo and Yiwon stood waiting. Jewoo was carefully managing his expression to not let any of his inner confusion show, especially not to Yiwon.

“It’s a pity.”

Yiwon spoke up.

“What is?”

Jewoo tensed, thinking he might suggest doing it again. While he was disappointed with his lack of immersion in the role, he didn’t want to redo the kissing scene. There were more kissing scenes coming up, but that was a problem for when it came. Anyway, if he filmed with this feeling again, it would be the same. Since the director had okayed it, he wanted to move on for now.

“In the original, they went all the way.”

At the unexpected comment, Jewoo’s expression slightly hardened. He had checked the original work right after agreeing to take on this role. He was somewhat surprised by how much more explicit it was than the drama. On the day of the first script reading, Yiwon had said he hadn’t read the original because he had no time due to his schedule. At that time, Jewoo thought it was a good thing.

“When did you read the original? You said you had no time.”

“On the plane.”

Yiwon explained that he had plenty of time during the over ten-hour flight. Even after reading it all, he thought it was a pity that the scene only went as far as the kiss, which left Jewoo dumbfounded.

“If we included everything from the original, our drama wouldn’t be broadcast.”

Even though the genre of BL was more accepted these days, there were still limits. The fans of the original might be disappointed, but if they filmed everything up to 19+, there would definitely be a lot of talk.

“There are 19+ BL dramas out there, though?”

Where had he seen such things? Well, he had looked them up too. Since he was going to film a BL drama, he was curious about how other works were done, and upon digging, he found that some foreign productions had explicit content that earned them an 18+ rating.

“Did you watch them?”

When he asked if Yiwon had seen those as well, Yiwon just smirked. It was unclear whether he had or hadn’t.

“What about you?”

“…”

Jewoo couldn’t answer either. He had watched them out of pure curiosity as an actor, wondering how male romantic emotions and physical interactions were portrayed.

“You must have seen them.”

Mischief twinkled in Yiwon’s eyes. Feeling like his thoughts were being read, Jewoo turned his gaze away.

“Stop talking nonsense and focus on the role.”

He ended up scolding someone who was doing well.

“I love you.”

When he turned at the gentle voice, Kang Yiwon, or rather ‘Geonhwon’, was smiling softly.

What a mischievous guy. The moment he told him to focus on the role, he threw out ‘Geonhwon’s next line.

“And you?”

This line wasn’t in the script. ‘Geonhwon’ didn’t need to check ‘Haeyul’s feelings because his own feelings wouldn’t change regardless of ‘Haeyul’s response.

However, Yiwon was asking. Asking not ‘Haeyul’, but Han Jewoo.

🎞️✮⋆˙

After finishing today’s filming, while Jewoo was removing his wig and makeup, the main director approached.

“I have a proposal for you two. Do you have a moment?”

The director asked if they could spare some time to talk. When they agreed, he pulled up a chair and sat in front of them.

“Someone from the investment company visited today.”

They were told to keep quiet so as not to disrupt the filming, so the actors weren’t informed.

“They said everything was good, the visuals were good, the chemistry was good, and the acting was not bad.”

The director was beating around the bush, trying to say something.

“But…”

The director frowned, unable to continue.

“It’s okay, please speak freely.”

Jewoo sensed that something unpleasant was coming and assured the director it was fine to speak. The director sighed deeply and looked back and forth between Jewoo and Yiwon, then made a sound of discomfort as if he didn’t fully agree with what he was about to say.

“You know how sometimes investors make unreasonable demands.”

Jewoo wondered why the director was laying so much groundwork for his point.

“I don’t see any problem, but they seem to be picking a fight for no reason…”

The director’s frown deepened.

“There was the kissing scene today. They watched it and said you two seemed awkward. They wish it was more realistic.”

The main director added that this was only the investor’s opinion and that he himself was satisfied. However, Jewoo couldn’t just brush it off. He felt today’s filming was lacking, and the problem was with him.

“So, they want you two to get closer…”

It seemed it wasn’t just about today’s filming. The main director sighed again and handed over two key cards.

“They want you to share a room to get closer.”

Even as he said it, the director seemed to find it absurd. He grumbled that judging from just one day’s filming that Han Jewoo and Kang Yiwon weren’t close enough was ridiculous, but since it was the investor’s request, it was difficult to outright refuse.

“It’s no big deal.”

Yiwon took it lightly, accepted the key cards, and handed one to Jewoo.

“We just need to share a room.”

“It is. But it’s a suite with two bedrooms, so you won’t be uncomfortable. Just pretend to be close for a few days until the investor is satisfied.”

The director added this as if making excuses. Even to Jewoo, it didn’t seem like a big deal. It was just a change in sleeping arrangements.

“Okay. Don’t worry too much.”

With his easy agreement, the director seemed relieved, his facial muscles relaxing. It seemed he felt sorry for suggesting they share a room, especially since many actors were sensitive about sleeping arrangements during location shoots.

“Then I’ll leave it to you from today.”

Once the relieved director left, Jewoo looked down at the key card in his hand. As Yiwon said, it wasn’t a big deal. But…

He glanced at Yiwon standing next to him. Yiwon was fiddling with the key card with an inscrutable expression. Unintentionally, his gaze drifted to Yiwon’s lips, and feeling awkward, he quickly looked away.