novellhall Chapter 8: The Korean Sucker!
Chapter 8: The Korean Sucker!
The highlight of the day is Elise confronting the "old woman" spirit possessing Josh in the red-door room.
Linssaye's performance was textbook-worthy.
She didn't rely on exaggerated screams or distorted expressions.
Instead, the tension is heightened through rapid but suppressed breathing, slightly dilated pupils, and a gaze that seems to see the most filthy things in the world.
When the stunt double playing the possessed Josh crawled out of the shadows in a bizarre, ergonomically unnatural pose, the temperature on set seemed to drop several degrees.
"Cut! Perfect! God, your eyes are giving me goosebumps!"
Director James Wan's voice came through the walkie-talkie, tinged with rare excitement.
Just as Lin Shaye finished her performance and let out a long sigh of relief, a blue orb of light gently fell from her body:
[Eye Attribute - Fear Level +3]
Chen Xun was overjoyed.
Immediately by adjusting the position of the props and instruments in his hands, he approached and absorbed them without leaving a trace.
A cool sensation rushed into his eyes, and in an instant, he seemed to gain a completely new understanding of how to convey a series of complex emotions—"shock, confirmation, and deep-seated fear"—through his eyes.
His gaze was no longer a direct stare, but rather contained subtle changes that the camera could capture.
This kind of change in expression, especially when shooting close-ups, is a true test of an actor's ability!
On the other hand, Patrick Wilson contributed a green attribute ball while filming a scene of him being haunted by spirits and wandering aimlessly in his hallway:
[Aura-type attribute - Vulnerability +2]
Chen Xun accepted it with a smile.
A powerful aura isn't just about strength and composure; a well-placed vulnerability can also be captivating.
After three days of filming, Chen Xun had six hundred dollars in crisp new cash in his pocket, and he felt his back was straighter than usual.
His attribute panel received a slight boost:
[Acting Skills Attribute Panel]
Dialogue: Lv0 (4/100)
Limbs: Lv0 (13/100)
Emoticons: Lv0 (4/100)
Eyes: Lv0 (4/100)
Mood: Lv0 (15/100)
Tempo: Lv0 (3/100)
Aura: Lv0 (8/100)
……
Although his basic attributes are still far from being upgraded, these absorbed categorized attributes have given him a more comprehensive understanding of performance.
Unfortunately, he can't see other people's attributes.
He was very curious about just how extraordinary the attributes of an actor who had been in the entertainment industry for many years were!
I dragged my slightly tired but excited body back to that familiar, dilapidated apartment building in Koreatown.
Chen Xun was still reminiscing about the moments on set.
The motion-activated lights in the hallway still work intermittently.
He walked to his door in the dark, and just as he was about to take out his keys, he suddenly stopped.
Two oversized suitcases with cute cartoon characters printed on them were piled up at the entrance.
A petite figure was squatting next to the suitcase with her back to him, her head almost buried in an open backpack as she rummaged through something.
He was muttering something under his breath, which seemed to be in Korean.
Hearing footsteps, the man turned around abruptly.
A delicate face with a distinctly Korean aesthetic.
She has fair skin, big eyes, wears delicate light makeup, and her hair is the currently popular light flaxen color.
She looked very young, like a college freshman, wearing a loose sweatshirt and skinny jeans, and limited edition sneakers.
"Annyeonghaseyo!"
Upon seeing Chen Xun, the girl immediately stood up, bowed somewhat hastily, and said in heavily accented English:
"Are you Mr. Chen Xun?"
Chen Xun's English is no longer the broken English he used to have. With the improvement in his delivery of lines, his accent has undergone a qualitative change.
So when he heard the Korean-accented English, he paused for a moment, then nodded instinctively.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Lee So-yeon!"
The girl's eyes lit up, and she began to explain rapidly, mixing Chinese, English, and Korean:
"I'm a freshman at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, from Seoul! I heard that Shen Man-ni moved out, are there any rooms available?"
It took Chen Xun a while to sort out his thoughts.
It turns out that the girl found out about Shen Man's move through a small circle of Korean exchange students at USC, and somehow got his address.
They dragged their luggage straight to the door!
Their execution is truly top-notch!
"So you want to rent Shen Man's old room?"
Chen Xun leaned against the door frame, sizing up the "uninvited guest".
There was indeed an empty room in the apartment, and he did need someone to share the rent.
But what if I were to share an apartment with a complete stranger, a Korean girl?
The art style is a bit strange no matter how you look at it.
"Inside!"
Lee So-yeon nodded vigorously, clasped her hands together in a gesture of supplication, her eyes filled with the fearless spirit of a newborn calf:
"Please, Chen Xun oppa! I've looked at so many places, but they're all too expensive! This place has a great location! It's not too far from the school, and it's close to Hollywood!"
"I want to be a director! I need to experience the atmosphere here!"
Chen Xun's lips twitched.
Want to experience the Hollywood vibe?
Besides the smells of marijuana and urine, there's also the philosophical atmosphere of homeless people in this area.
Where is the Hollywood star power?
He noticed that Lee So-yeon's suitcase still had an airline baggage tag, indicating that she had just gotten off the plane.
"You... you've moved in already? Not going to see the apartment? Not going to discuss the price?"
"I trust Shen Man's judgment!"
Lee So-yeon looked serious, then added somewhat shyly:
"Besides, my budget is really limited. Oppa, just name your price, as long as I can afford it..."
Looking at her chubby face, which was filled with the naivety of "foolish and rich, come quick"... no, it was "gambling everything for dreams," Chen Xun seemed to see himself and Shen Man a few years ago when they had just gotten off the plane.
He sighed, stepped aside, and opened the door: "Come in! What kind of talk is this, discussing rent at the door?"
The room was still small.
But compared to the desolate scene when Shen Man first left, there were more script summaries and supermarket flyers that Chen Xun had casually left out in the past few days.
It barely has a semblance of everyday life.
Lee So-yeon, however, looked around curiously as if she had entered some sacred place, especially gazing at the yellowed Godfather poster that Chen Xun had found at a second-hand store on the wall.
"Wow! Is this the dorm room for Hollywood dreamers? It has such a... story!"
Lee So-yeon commented, trying hard to find a positive word.
Chen Xun: "..."
Thanks, it's just because I'm poor!
After a somewhat chaotic exchange, Chen Xun gained a preliminary understanding of Li Suyan.
Lee So-yeon's English listening comprehension is slightly better than her speaking, but she still struggles when it comes to specific numbers and contract terms!
Chen Xun learned that her family seemed to be well-off.
But supporting her to study abroad was already the limit.
He made it clear that experiencing life is fine, but he will not support a director's dream indefinitely.
So she has to find a way to make money as soon as possible!
In the end, the two agreed on the rent.
It was slightly higher than Shen Man's price at the time, but far below the market price, and included water, electricity, and internet.
Chen Xun thought that at least he wouldn't have to worry about next month's rent.
After signing the flimsy rental agreement, Li Suyan happily dragged her suitcase into the room that once belonged to Shen Man.
Chen Xun slumped on the creaking sofa in the living room, feeling a bit like he was in a magical reality.
My former roommate had just returned to China with shattered dreams when a new guy with brand-new dreams came along to take over.
It's made in South Korea!
Hollywood is really like a walled city.