The Haunted Monster Actor - Chapter 86



Only Noblemtl

Episode 86

At the moment when a new madman was born in Seoul, Hyun-soo arrived at a retro pub in Jongno.

As one netizen predicted, Hyunsoo visited here today for a pre-meeting for the Nineties Dive spin-off variety show.

‘It’s my first variety show… … I’m a little nervous.’

Hyunsoo opened the door to the bar with a trembling heart.

“Are you here, Actor Kim?”

Hyunsoo stops walking with a startled expression before he can even take a few steps inside.

Choi Ui-jeong smiled and waved with an expression that said it was okay.

“Wasn’t it just a pre-meeting?”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. We’re just filming a teaser video. You can do as you normally would.”

What Hyunsoo was looking at with a puzzled expression was none other than the mini camcorder on the table.

“How is normal… … ?”

“Usually is just as usual, what else does that mean? It means to just show your usual self naturally, without acting.”

“Then, act like you’re usually like this… … .”

“Oh my, just think about it, there’s no camera!”

The assistant writer and production staff sitting next to Choi Ui-jeong burst into laughter at his frustrated cries.

“Haha, who would think he’s not an actor? Look at him thinking about acting as soon as he sees the camera. There was no other pro like him on set, but as soon as he started appearing on a variety show, he became a complete rookie.”

“Yes, I’m a rookie. It’s my first time on a variety show.”

“It’s okay, that’s actor Kim Shiva(*).”

“yes?”

“In the entertainment industry, newcomers are usually treated like jewels. And is actor Kim just a newcomer? He’s a total newcomer.”

“… … I will work hard.”

“Let’s have fun, not work hard, us.”

“Yes, hard and fun.”

While the staff burst into laughter.

Hyunsoo sat down, looking slightly nervous, as if he was not adjusting well yet.

“Are the other seniors not here yet?”

“I just got a call that they were coming.”

As Choi Ui-jeong said, not long after, the other members of Rising Dive arrived.

“Hello! Oh, Actor Kim is here already.”

“… … Hello, author. How have you been, Hyunsoo?”

“Huh? When did you two talk?”

“How have you both been? Come and have a seat.”

Ajin and Jihoon, who had experience working on entertainment shows with Choi Ui-jeong, sat down without paying any attention to the mini cam on the table.

Right after.

“hello.”

Unlike the script reading, Jeong-in also arrived on time.

Perhaps because he had appeared in several entertainment shows during his child actor days, he also didn’t show much of a reaction to the mini cam.

In short, the only person who was nervous in this place was Hyun-soo.

“What is it, Actor Kim? Why are you so frozen, which is not typical of Ji-yu-han?”

Hyunsoo wanted to stimulate Hwang Sooin’s emotions on stage and bring them out, just like Song Ahjin said… But…

‘If I get out of control, I’ll have to maintain that tension throughout the filming.’

Now, it was right to go ahead and film Hyun-soo as he usually does, just as Choi Ui-jeong said.

So all the actors gathered together and had a small talk about recent events for a while.

Ajin asked the council with a slightly puzzled expression.

“You said it was a pre-meeting? I guess PD-nim isn’t coming today?”

Of course, I am not talking about producer Jeong Geun-ho, who has only ever directed dramas.

If Radav has partners Ajin and Jihoon, Choi Uijeong has him.

They are soul mates who have been working together in the entertainment industry for over a decade, and they boast legendary recognition that ordinary celebrities can’t even hand out their business cards to…

“Producer Na Young-jun?”

“Yes. Aren’t you working with PD-nim? That’s what I thought.”

And Choi Ui-jeong, who was suddenly smiling playfully at the actors.

“If I were PD, I’d be with you the whole time?”

“yes?”

It was at that time that the four actors tilted their heads in bewilderment at Choi Ui-jeong’s unexpected remark.

“Here, the chicken you ordered and the cold draft beer are here.”

A waiter with a vaguely familiar voice continues speaking while placing golden-fried chicken on the table.

“In the summer, what better way than with a cold bowl of chicken and beer?”

“……ah.”

The dazed expression on his face only lasted for a moment.

Just as Song Ah-jin, who had noticed the situation, was about to say something, the employee took off the hood and mask he was wearing.

His identity is obvious.

“Oh my, our actors. How can you do entertainment shows with such poor eye for detail?”

It was the legendary entertainment producer of South Korea, PD Na Young-jun.

* * *

“Okay, the format is very simple. You will serve your guests delicious snacks and cold draft beer, just like I did just now.”

The actors still look bewildered and frozen.

Choi Ui-jeong immediately adds, without wiping away his playful smile.

“But, here, I should add a point that is unique to Ladav, right? I’ll start by telling you the title of the program.”

A variety show plan that will soon be presented to the members.

“What do you think of ‘Encore, Misari Dive!’? Doesn’t the title itself seem quite catchy?”

“If it’s Misari… … is it the Misari we know?”

Na Young-jun nodded and answered Ji-hoon’s question.

“That’s right. We will be serving cold beer and delicious snacks to the guests who come to the live cafe in Misari. Of course… … .”

Next up is writer Choi Ui-jeong.

“Since the title includes the word encore, there will also be a small performance, right?”

“How is it? Simple, right?”

While listening to the story of the two people who are so compatible that they deserve to be called soul mates, the four actors simultaneously thought.

‘It’s not simple at all.’

“Encore, Misari Dive!”

Directed by: Na Young-jun

Author: Choi Ui-jeong

Hyunsoo began to carefully read the entertainment plan that Uijeong had presented as if it were a script.

After the last stage where everyone was together ended.

The four members have reunited to repay the love and support for Rising Dive!

Misa-dong, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do.

A shabby live cafe located on the outskirts of Misari Cafe Village that no longer accepts customers.

Rising Dive is back here once again to prepare an encore stage for everyone.

Preparation period is only one week!

Will Jiyuhan and his friends be able to show the wonderful encore stage that everyone has been hoping for in this short time?

Rising Dive’s exciting, dynamic, and challenging stage journey!

The performance begins!

Ji-hoon, who had read the entire plan, opened his mouth with a slightly relaxed expression.

“Whew, I thought I had to do business and perform every day. But if I only do it on the last day, it wouldn’t be that hard… … ?”

Despite Ji-hoon’s optimistic words, A-jin’s wary expression as she examined the plan showed no sign of letting up easily.

“Ji-hoon, you… … haven’t forgotten that nightmare yet, have you?”

Ajin’s voice has a deeper emotional line(?) than when she was acting.

Ji-hoon, whose face soon began to turn pale, recalled a nightmare from the past that he had forgotten.

“That’s right… … Back then, the author took me there, saying it was a simple task of treating the village elders to sweet fruit… … .”

The innocent Ji-hoon, carrying a fruit basket, followed the witch(?) to a 7,000-pyeong grape farm.

That day, Ji-hoon learned for the first time that a single grapevine can produce thousands of grapes.

“If I look at the tips of my little fingernails, there’s still some purple liquid left… … .”

“Since then, I have not even touched grapes, grape juice, wine, or anything with the word grape in it. Is that all? When I have to film in the provinces, I purposely avoid the Pyeongtaek-Siheung Expressway. I don’t even want to pass Songsanpo.”

So it’s not hard to guess why the witch was given a week to go up on stage just once.

“The process of preparing for that stage was incredibly intense… … .”

“Brother, a camera.”

“I’m saying it’s going to be very, very difficult.”

Choi Ui-jeong, who was listening to the story of the two people, opened his mouth and smiled broadly.

“Haha. How about including a fruit platter in a simple snack?”

“Wouldn’t it be nice to serve wine instead of beer?”

Hohohohoho!

Hahahahahaha!

‘What are these demons plotting this time… … .’

It was at that moment that Jeong I-shin, who was reading the plan next to him, opened his mouth.

“Is this all there is to it?”

As Jeong Ee-shin said, there was only a basic outline in the plan, and there was no detailed schedule or location, not even a simple cue sheet or script.

Choi Ui-jeong answered Jeong I-shin’s question without erasing his smile.

“Hey, is this really all?”

Choi Ui-jeong, who said that, receives something from the staff.

“camera?”

It was a mini camcorder, just like the one placed on the table.

“Where have I seen this camera before? Here, take one each. They are expensive, but since they are discontinued, you should treat them with care until we get them back. Oh, and you should always turn them on, don’t you think I need to tell you?”

“Filming starts tomorrow. The specific time and place will be sent to you via text message. You can all look forward to it.”

That was all there was to the pre-meeting.

* * *

“Is it okay to leave it like this?”

Hyunsoo, who returned home, placed the mini cam on the living room table with an awkward expression.

There was only one piece of information that Hyun-soo learned during the pre-meeting.

The program’s premise was that they would treat guests to food and show them a performance at a live cafe a week later.

“It’s a kind of dinner party… … Since there’s no script, I have no idea what it’s about.”

Instead of using a smartphone, I usually use a script.

Even when he watches TV, he only watches dramas and movies.

It would be okay to think of him as a complete outsider when it comes to entertainment.

Well, that being said, I do know why they gave out mini cams.

Before gathering at the filming location, the actors were told to each produce their own ‘V-LOG’-style footage.

So, even after the pre-meeting, Hyunsoo and the members continued discussing tomorrow’s schedule for a while.

It may be a coincidence (it may be 100% Choi Ui-jeong’s intention), but tomorrow is the day of the big performance that Gold Marie has been preparing for.

‘Then it would be perfect if we met in Incheon. Let’s watch the Mari girls’ performance together, and when the time and place come up, let’s all move together. What do you think, Actor Kim?’

Everyone agreed with Ajin’s idea because they all felt the same way: they didn’t want to miss Goldmary’s performance.

So, until we gather at the concert hall tomorrow afternoon, Hyun-soo has to take care of his own portion.

“Um. First… …I need to pack my bags.”

Because of the nature of an actor’s job, he often has to stay overnight on set for long periods of time, so packing for a week was a piece of cake for Hyun-soo.

“Is this good enough?”

It was so cold that I couldn’t even eat cold porridge, so I packed all my bags in less than 20 minutes.

Hyunsoo soon encountered a huge problem.

‘There’s nothing more to do.’

Hyunsoo stares blankly at the camera placed on the table with a blank expression.

‘……ah.’

Hyunsoo recalled what he had heard from PD Na Youngjun during the pre-meeting.

‘Our actor Kim Hyun-soo. I really enjoyed the drama. I look forward to seeing your great performance in variety shows as well!’

‘… I will do my best, PD-nim. Please take care of me in the future.’

PD Na Young-jun smiles and continues speaking after seeing Hyun-soo’s hand trembling slightly as he holds the mini cam.

‘Haha, you don’t have to be that nervous. Just show your natural self. These days, viewers like to see you as you are rather than a set script.’

Hyunsoo’s expression after finishing his reminiscence is now much more relaxed than before.

‘Just as it is… … Yes, I know what it is like.’

Hyunsoo closed his eyes and meditated for a while to let his dreams fade away, as usual.

After finishing my meditation, I turned off the lights and went to bed.

That night.

A new dream… … Not to mention, thanks to a good night’s sleep for the first time in a while, I didn’t even have the usual sleep talking.

―――

(*Shivai: A word used in entertainment to create elements of fun, humor, etc.)

Continued in the next episode ▶