NB | Chapter 2

The man had a knack for making others tense just by being there. The atmosphere, which had been relaxed until a moment ago, now had a taut tension, proving his effect.

Whenever he leisurely surveyed the surroundings like a lion prowling its territory, the staff discreetly tidied up, pretending to be busy, worried they might irritate him. Besides Woohyun and the group of extras, many were curious about him. Most people on set were aware of him while doing their tasks.

Eventually, he shook hands with the director and started a conversation. Woohyun couldn’t hear their voices, but the atmosphere seemed pleasant. A staff member offered him a folding chair, but he politely declined with a gesture and turned his gaze to the monitor the director was looking at.

“Let’s take a 10-minute break!”

Suddenly, the assistant director shouted into the megaphone. The unexpectedly loud voice made Woohyun’s eyelids flutter slightly. Only then did he realize he had been intently observing Kang Jiwon’s every expression and gesture without missing a single detail.

“The ‘okay’ isn’t coming. I thought we’d wrap up early today…”

A middle-aged man grumbled. His desire for an early finish seemed to have faded with Kang Jiwon’s arrival, as he added nothing more. Woohyun shifted his attention from him and glanced towards Kang Jiwon and the director. A serious atmosphere surrounded them, not easily approachable by anyone.

Meanwhile, the monitor Kang Jiwon was watching replayed the scene just filmed. The main camera followed the lead actor’s back, clearly indicating he was the focal point.

Jiwon pointed to a spot on the monitor with his fingertip.

“This friend here.”

The director, watching the same screen, immediately understood who he meant. It wasn’t the lead actor.

“The guy in the gray hoodie?”

The man in the gray hoodie was barely in the left corner of the frame, yet his presence was undeniable. It was precisely when his face was revealed. While he was looking down at his phone, with his bangs covering half his face, his presence was unremarkable. But once his face was visible, the focus shifted from the lead actor’s back to this man in the corner.

Under the clear, breezy sky, hawthorn petals fluttered gently along the tidy street. In this picturesque background, the man brushed his forehead with his large hand. Where his palm passed, a rather handsome face was revealed.

Having seen countless famously beautiful celebrities, Kang Jiwon naturally had high standards. So, unless someone had both looks and a unique aura, he rarely found himself drawn or captivated.

Yet, this man subtly caught his eye. It was just a 10-second clip. The more he watched, the more he found even the initially gloomy appearance, with the face hidden, quite appealing.

“The depth is impressive, right? I didn’t notice from the side, but from the front, his features stand out.”

“Indeed.”

“I was just discussing this scene with the camera director. The background came out artistically, but the focus shifted to this guy in the gray hoodie. An extra doing nothing stands out more than the lead actor…”

The director clicked his tongue, but his expression was affectionate. Despite his words, he seemed pleased with the scene dominated by the gray hoodie.

“He doesn’t seem like an idol. Even if they’re from a failed group, these days they might dive into streaming sites, but they don’t usually come for extra gigs, right?”

The director turned to the assistant director behind him for agreement. The staff, including the director who had just made his debut last year, were mostly young. Even the assistant director, who knew most celebrities, didn’t recognize him, suggesting he was an unknown aspiring actor or perhaps a true amateur.

He looked back at Kang Jiwon.

“So, I’m thinking of casting him for my next project. There’s a role that fits perfectly…”

Kang Jwon let out a low hum. It was an ambiguous reaction, hard to tell if he was interested or displeased. The director worried he might have overstepped.

Kang Jiwon had never flaunted his production budget or been stingy. Similarly, he had never interfered with casting decisions, so the director was excited that Kang Jiwon recognized the potential of the gray hoodie that had caught his eye.

Kang Jiwon soon shifted his gaze from the monitor to the director, who was busy gauging his reaction. Surprisingly, a fresh smile appeared on his lips.

“Go ahead.”

The investor’s easy approval brought a broad smile to the director’s face. With no reason to delay, he decided to bring over the guy in the gray hoodie, but the palpable presence beside him stopped him.

Kang Jiwon, who had come to inspect the set unannounced, showed no sign of leaving. Not only that, he pulled over the folding chair he had declined earlier and sat down. His eyes, watching the director with crossed legs, seemed to say, “Go ahead, cast him right here.”

The director’s smile faded, leaving only an awkward and bitter feeling. He usually refused even when invited to eat.

Today, of all days, there was plenty of time for the shoot. Eventually, the director instructed the assistant director to call over the guy in the gray hoodie right in front of Kang Jiwon. He glanced sideways at Director Kang.

The man watched as the assistant director approached and spoke to the guy in the gray hoodie. Curiosity was evident in his neutral-colored eyes. Without any attempt to hide it, it seemed news of a new rookie actor joining Newon might soon spread.

“I heard you called for me.”

A voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts, and when he turned his head, the guy in the gray hoodie was already close. His face was still hidden by his bangs. But knowing what lay beneath, the gloomy hairstyle and atmosphere were no longer an issue. Instead, curiosity about the eyes behind the hair arose.

He’s tall. Just as the director muttered to himself, Kang Jiwon stood up. The director, who had been admiring the gray hoodie’s build, was newly surprised. Standing side by side, the gray hoodie’s height and frame suddenly seemed smaller.

“Ah, well.”

Before the director could say anything, Jiwon half-blocked the view.

“May I touch your face for a moment?”

His polite tone asked for permission, but Woohyun flinched, startled by the hand already too close. Perhaps interpreting his slight nod as consent, the man’s fingertips touched his forehead. Unaccustomed to being touched by others, Woohyun momentarily stiffened.

The touch was so gentle it felt ticklish. His breath caught, and an unfamiliar scent intermittently invaded his nostrils. Seo Woohyun instinctively recognized the underlying scent beneath the cologne. It was a fougère fragrance, reminiscent of animal hide or damp forest herbs, subtly masking an alpha’s pheromones.

When the man swept his long side hair behind his ear, his view cleared. The face he had been watching from afar was now up close. He couldn’t help but notice the man’s gaze on his face. From the crown of his head to his chin, the sharp eyes scanned his entire face as if imprinting it. To Woohyun, it felt less like a scan and more like a caress.

Inevitably, Seo Woohyun also found himself in a position to thoroughly observe Kang Jiwon’s face. Whether by choice or circumstance, his resolve to not avoid the situation manifested, and instead of averting his eyes, he met the gaze with his now clearer view. Meanwhile, he also took in the man’s features.

The naturally styled hair gave off a sophisticated and mature impression. Neatly shaped eyebrows and a sharply defined nose harmonized with deep-set eyes. The black eyes, capable of conveying melancholy, were strikingly colored, and the lips were full, with corners sharply drawn like a fine brushstroke.

Even from afar, the man’s outstanding looks were evident, and up close, they were even more so. In fact, he was more beautiful than expected. Though Woohyun lacked extensive knowledge and experience, he imagined that if elegance were personified, it would look like this.

At that moment, Woohyun held his breath against the sudden nausea rising from his core. The stronger the man’s presence became, the more physiological discomfort followed.

Damn… he’s handsome, but he makes me queasy.

“Yes, this is it!”

The director, who had been barely noticeable until now, exclaimed in delight, bringing Woohyun back to reality. His pupils, which had been steady while observing the man, finally moved.

Kang Jiwon stepped back, seemingly done with his task. The director naturally filled the space.

“What’s your name?”

The assistant director had said the director wanted to see him, so he came, but he still didn’t know what was happening. Despite the confusion, he mechanically answered the question.

“Seo Woohyun.”

“Great. Woohyun, how old are you?”

He wondered why he was being asked these questions, but he answered without hesitation.

“Twenty-three.”

“A kid.”

The response came not from the director but from the side. It was a small voice, but Woohyun heard it clearly. Without needing to turn his head, he knew Kang Jiwon was there, yet his neck turned instinctively towards the sound.

When their eyes met, Jiwon blinked playfully, greeting him. His gaze was innocently harmless, as if he hadn’t said anything.