Chapter 44: Protagonist (3)

Director Park mentioned the drama title while they were discussing the drama.

“The official title is going to be decided today. At this stage, the one with the most potential is Reaper, and I think it’s going to be the one as long as there aren’t any other developments.”

Reaper. It perfectly fit the concept of a female protagonist who guided the souls of the dead. It was also much more concise than the working title, and compressed the overall theme of the production for the audience to intuitively understand what it would be about. Ra-Eun had also taken quite a liking to the new title.

“Before we get into the shoot, there’s something that I have to ask your understanding for... no, that’s not right. There’s one aspect that you should prepare yourself for, I guess,” Director Park remarked.

Ra-Eun’s face distorted for a second.

“Are you talking about a kiss scene?” she asked.

She wanted to avoid a kiss scene above anything else, so she had planned on drawing the line before the filming started. She needed to place some insurance so that they wouldn’t say otherwise down the line.

Director Park had already planned on discussing that with Ra-Eun.

“I know that you have a strong dislike for kiss scenes, Ra-Eun. Also, since you’re only a high schooler at the moment, some controversy might arise if we put a kiss scene in. We’re going to remove as many scenes like that as possible, so you don’t have to worry.”

Ra-Eun was very relieved, but the conversation was not yet over. Director Park had wanted to talk about something else.

“It’s not about a kiss scene, but an issue with attires.”

“Attires?”

“Yes. I’m sure you already know since you’ve read through the script, but the character Jin Seo-Yu is one who transforms a lot.”

The transformation did not involve morphing into an animal or a change in gender, but in identities.

“Her main job is a grim reaper, but she changes identities when she comes to the modern world. She will become a high schooler like you are right now, and a successful chairwoman at other times. She will also become a nurse sometimes.”

In other words...

“You’ll have to change clothes a lot. I just wanted to have you keep this in mind in advance.”

“How many times will I have to change?” Ra-Eun asked.

“By our calculations... Probably around seventy times.”

Meaning, she needed to change at least four to six times per shoot. It did not sound like a big deal, but one would realize if they personally experienced how hard of a work it was to frequently change during a shoot.

“We’ve probably spent a few hundred million won on clothes alone. It’s all thanks to this lady here,” said Director Park as he looked toward Hwang Yo-Rin, the screenwriter. “Something about wanting to put as many different kinds of outfits on you as possible... Well, I agree that it can’t be helped considering the concept of the drama, but I still think seventy attires is a bit excessive.”

“Director, you said you wouldn’t push the attire issue anymore,” Yo-Rin mentioned.

“You have no idea how many complaints I’ve received from the higher-ups because of you. I still can’t forget the chief’s face when he looked at the budget formulation report.”

‘I can’t believe this drama managed to pass the planning stage,’ Ra-Eun thought as she listened to their conversation.

***

Ra-Eun’s schedule was absolutely packed before the drama shoot even began. It was not because of acting practice or getting familiar with the script, but because she needed to have a total of around seventy attires fitted for her.

Ra-Eun walked all over the dressing room to get herself measured. She was yet again surrounded by tailors holding tape measures and tweezers. The female tailors shot Ra-Eun gazes filled with envy whenever they measured her.

“Team Leader, look how narrow her waist is.”

“That’s a celebrity for you.”

She felt like she had become a doll. After almost an hour of size measuring, she had to move on to the next location immediately.

“We received a call that the hanbok fitting had just finished yesterday. Try it on,” Yo-Rin said.

Yo-Rin and every staff member in the clothing production team gazed upon Ra-Eun in the hanbok. She was wearing a pink jeogori, a white skirt and all sorts of accessories. Her hair was also evenly braided to one side.

“My, oh my! You’re way too pretty, Ra-Eun!” Yo-Rin exclaimed as she took out a camera. “Can I take some pictures?”

“Sure... Whatever you like.”

Ra-Eun was so tired that she just let things take its course.

Snap, snap!

“Ra-Eun, please look this way.”

“Like this?”

“Yes! Good, that’s perfect!”

Ra-Eun’s hanbok fitting had ended up becoming a photo shoot. Yo-Rin had a very satisfied smile on her face after taking tons of pictures.

“I’m sure the loyalists would love these,” Yo-Rin mentioned.

“Loyalists? Who are you talking about?”

“Oh, you don’t know?”

Yo-Rin told Ra-Eun something that she had no idea about.

“That’s what your fans call themselves. Loyalists... And for your information, the name of your fan club is Club Allegiance.”

“I have a fan club?” Ra-Eun asked.

“Of course you do! And just so you know, I’m a member.”

Ra-Eun was not that surprised that Yo-Rin was a member of her fan club because she was already surprised enough that she had something like a fan club. It was natural for a popular actress to have a fan club, but something had bothered her about it.

“Why Club Allegiance?” Ra-Eun asked.

She had never thought that her army PTSD would return. Her past life aside, her current self had nothing to do with the army. Hence, she was curious as to why her fan club name sounded like the name of a post exchange.

“Apparently, the name came from how they were ‘pledging allegiance to Queen Kang Ra-Eun.’”

That was also why the members of Club Allegiance naturally became ‘loyalists’, since they were loyal to their queen.

“They even have ranks. Private, private first class, corporal, sergeant, and the list goes on. The ranks are based on one’s level of activity in the fan club.”

“...”

Ra-Eun had a sudden urge to call Chief Jung to ask if a celebrity had the right to disband her own fan club.

***

More and more students took interest in Ra-Eun as news of the drama Reaper?was released.

“When does the drama shoot begin, Ra-Eun?”

“Is it true that the male lead is Je-Woon oppa? What’s he like? Is he way hotter in person?”

Ra-Eun was at her wit’s end from the barrage of questions.

“I don’t know. Also, anything related to the shoot is a secret, so don’t expect any answers from me about it.”

In other words, she was telling them not to ask. Since it was obvious that the same thing would repeat itself if she stayed at school, she left as soon as classes were over.

As she was about to pass through the school gates, Seo Yi-Seo rushed toward her.

“Ra-Eun!” she called out. “Do you have something on your mind lately? Or is it because of the drama?”

“Well... a few things.”

“If you’re okay with me, I could hear you out. How does that sound?”

One could share the burden of their troubles with someone if they confided in them. Ra-Eun accepted Yi-Seo’s offer and followed her to Starlight Road where she hadn’t been in a while.

Seo Yi-Jun greeted Ra-Eun as she entered the cafe.

“It’s been a while, noona.”

“You’re off school already?” Ra-Eun asked.

“No, today’s the school anniversary, so I didn’t have to go. I was thinking of hanging out with friends, but Dad suddenly had business to attend to, so here I am.”

Yi-Jun had been sighing because he was suddenly forced to come work at the cafe, but his mind had changed since he got to meet Ra-Eun after a long time.

In his eyes, Ra-Eun was as beautiful as always. It could have been because she would be shooting a drama soon, but her beauty became more blinding as the days passed.

“Would you like to order something?” Yi-Jun asked.

“A vanilla latte, and...” Ra-Eun’s eyes shifted toward the dessert section. “Which one’s the cake that your dad made last time?”

“Oh, it’s this one.”

“Then give me a slice. You order something too, Yi-Seo. My treat.”

Yi-Seo protested that it was fine, but she could not break Ra-Eun's obstinance. Ra-Eun had felt sorry that she was always being treated to things whenever she came to Starlight Road, so she had wanted to pay for something this time around.

“So, what’s on your mind?” Yi-Seo got straight to the point as they took their seats.

She had expected Ra-Eun to have been anxious because it was her first lead role, but Ra-Eun’s worries were of something else entirely.

“Don’t be shocked. Apparently, I have... a fan club.”

“Huh?”

Yi-Seo’s large eyes blinked a few times.

“Is that something to be shocked over?” she asked.

“Is it not?”

“I’d think someone of your popularity would definitely have a fan club. I’m sure Gyu-Rin and Ro-Mi feel the same way.”

Ra-Eun had become the shocked one instead. She called out to Yi-Jun who had been preparing their drinks, “Yi-Jun! Do you know that I have a fan club?”

“A fan club? Of course I do! In fact, I’m a member!”

It turned out that her friend’s little brother was one of the loyalists of Club Allegiance. Ra-Eun had been the only one who didn’t know of the existence of her own fan club.

Yi-Seo asked to confirm her suspicions, “Could it be that you’ve been troubled over the fact that you have a fan club?”

“...Yeah.”

“But why, though?”

“It’s just... a bit burdensome.”

Ra-Eun’s worry was valid, but Yi-Seo thought otherwise.

“It just means there are that many people who love you, so isn’t it something to be happy about?”

“Hmm...”

“Don’t be too troubled over it. Also, I’m sure those fans will be of help to you if you’re ever in trouble down the line, don’t you agree?”

Yi-Seo was right. Hearing her opinions, it looked like there were certain benefits of having a fan club.

“And you never know, there could be a really famous person in your fan club. If that’s the case, it would really help your career in the entertainment industry,” Yi-Seo mentioned.

There actually was such a precedent. The famous screenwriter, Hwang Yo-Rin, had revealed herself to be one of the loyalists of Club Allegiance. And not just in the entertainment industry, there could also be people in the financial world who had become fans of Ra-Eun as well. Considering that, a fan club wasn’t all that bad.

“Thanks, Yi-Seo. You helped organize my thoughts.”

“I’m glad I could be of help.”

It certainly wasn’t bad to confide in a friend whenever one had troubles.

1. A jeogori is a traditional Korean jacket-like upper garment.

2. A post exchange is a government-subsidized shop operated mainly for military personnel.