novellhall Chapter 19: Kissing Scene
Chapter 19: Kissing Scene
The applause continued for a long time after the movie ended.
Led by director Yoon Je-kyun, the main cast, including Sol Kyung-gu, Ha Ji-won, Park Joong-hoon, and Uhm Jung-hwa, who came specially from the drama set, stood in front of the big screen.
As a newcomer, Li Zhixing stood discreetly at the very edge of the group.
Feeling the high spirits of the scene, even Li Zhixing, who always prided himself on his excellent mental fortitude, couldn't help but feel his heart beat a little faster.
At this moment, in front of a small lectern on the side of the stage, a female host with short hair and a very friendly smile picked up the microphone.
"Good evening, everyone! I'm Park Kyung-lim, the MC for tonight's preview screening!"
Park Kyung-rim's distinctive husky voice echoed throughout the venue: "Aigoo, such enthusiastic applause! It seems everyone has given Director Yoon Je-kyun and the actors a perfect score for their work!"
"Now, let's have our main characters say hello to everyone!"
After the words were spoken, the main creators began to introduce themselves one by one.
From director Yoon Je-kyun to Sol Kyung-gu, and then to Ha Ji-won… after each of these big names finished speaking, the audience erupted in enthusiastic cheers.
When it was Lee Ji-haeng's turn, he bowed slightly and said in a calm and clear voice, "Hello everyone, I am new actor Lee Ji-haeng, and I play the role of lifeguard Choi Hyung-sik in the movie."
As soon as he finished speaking, a loud cheer erupted from the audience, and two particularly clear female voices even came from the middle row to cheer him on.
Park Kyung-rim immediately chimed in, jokingly saying, "Wow, the cheers are really enthusiastic! Although Ji-haeng is a newcomer, her superb acting skills in the movie have completely won over our audience!"
A burst of light laughter filled the room.
After the self-introductions, the process moved into the sharing session by the main creators.
Director Yoon Je-kyun and Sol Kyung-gu, among others, shared the hardships and interesting stories of filming the underwater tsunami scenes. The host added jokes at appropriate times, creating a very harmonious atmosphere on stage.
Then, she smoothly transitioned to the next topic.
"I'm sure everyone has a lot to say to the creators, so let's move on to the Q&A session."
After a few routine questions about special effects and filming, a reporter focused his attention on Li Zhixing and raised his hand to ask a question.
"Director Yoon, the main actors in such a large project as 'Haeundae' are mostly veteran actors. Even Kang Ye-won, who has relatively less experience, is a mature actress who has been in the industry for eight years."
"But it seems that Li Zhixing has never acted in any film or television works before."
Why did you dare to cast a complete newcomer in such an important role?
The reporter's tone was clearly inquisitive.
Upon hearing this question, Li Zhixing thought to himself, "Here it comes."
As a complete newcomer who landed a major supporting role in a multi-billion dollar production, it was only a matter of time before the media dug into his background.
He even suspected that this was a pre-arranged step between the publicity team and the reporters.
As expected, director Yin Jijun, as if he had been prepared, picked up the microphone with a smile.
"There's actually some inside story here." Yin Jijun turned to look at Li Zhixing, his eyes full of admiration. "Although Zhixing is a new actor, he's definitely not a newcomer in the industry. In fact, he's gained quite a bit of fame in the industry in the last two years."
Amidst the puzzled gazes of the audience, Yoon Jae-kyun dropped a bombshell: "In fact, Ji-hsing is also the martial arts director for our 'Haeundae' film crew! He's a genius martial arts director who, despite being in the industry for less than two years, is already able to independently direct commercial films."
The audience erupted in uproar.
The reporters and film critics in the audience looked astonished, while some of the invited celebrities smiled knowingly, clearly already knowing the inside story.
He has a face that could easily be an idol's visual center? And he's actually the martial arts choreographer behind the scenes? And the martial arts choreographer for a multi-billion dollar project like "Haeundae"?
In the audience, a small ripple was also stirred up on Girls' Generation's side.
"Damn it!" Lee Soon-kyu covered her mouth and turned to look at Jessica. "Ji-haeng oppa is a martial arts instructor?"
Seohyun, on the other side, also looked over in shock.
Jessica raised her chin slightly, showing off with a hint of pride, "You guys know So Ji-sub's 'Rough Cut', right? He directed it!"
Soojung glanced at her speechlessly and muttered under her breath, "She was complaining yesterday that they didn't tell you..."
Yoona, sitting in the back row, was completely dumbfounded.
Li Zhixing? Martial arts instructor?
Although it sounds like she's a very impressive core creative team member, she knows very well that any martial arts choreographer initially worked their way up from the most dangerous and painful bottom-level stuntmen.
She found it hard to imagine that the arrogant and seemingly indifferent boy from back then would choose to be the most arduous stunt double.
If he were a child, faced with such a hard and tiring job, he would probably just scoff and say "vulgar" before walking away without looking back.
Yin Jijun was very satisfied with the audience's reaction and continued to share the inside story of the casting: "When filming was about to start, the actor who was originally scheduled to play the role suddenly withdrew from the project."
"Time was too tight, and we couldn't find a suitable replacement right away. The role is a lifeguard at sea, which requires wearing a tight-fitting suit and has very high requirements for physique; at the same time, there is a scene in the plot where Ye-won falls in love with him at first sight, so he has to be very handsome."
"Just when I was having a bad day, I saw Zhixing leading the stuntmen in testing wire work. I had only one thought in my mind: Isn't this the perfect Choi Hyung-sik? His physique and appearance are a perfect match."
"I immediately extended an invitation to him, and the kid was quite straightforward, nodding right away."
"However, I also gave him a challenge at the time," Yoon Je-kyun said with a mischievous smile. "The character had to speak fluent Busan dialect, and I required him to learn it before filming started, giving him a 15-day deadline."
"As a result, he came to report to me in just one week, speaking fluent Busan dialect."
The reporters in the audience quickly took notes on this major bombshell, and several film critics also looked surprised.
Li Zhixing raised the microphone at the right moment and explained with a smile: "Actually, it's because I found a good teacher. At that time, I found a local high school student from Haeundae among the extras in the crew. She was very talkative and never stopped talking all day long."
"And she speaks with a very heavy old-fashioned Busan accent. I spent a week chatting with her, and I ended up having my accent completely influenced by her."
Ha Ji-won, who was standing next to her, couldn't help but complain, "Back then, in order to learn the dialect, Kyung-gu and I hired a teacher months in advance, recorded our lines, and listened to them with headphones every day before we could barely get a feel for it."
"As it turns out, this guy learned it in a week, making all the efforts Jingqiu and I put in seem like a joke. Because of this, Jingqiu hasn't given him a kind look for several days!"
This amusing behind-the-scenes revelation immediately drew laughter from the entire audience.
Xue Jingqiu shook his head with a smile, while Li Zhixing spread his hands in a gesture of feigned innocence.
After this round of interaction, everyone was full of curiosity about Li Zhixing, this "genius action choreographer who switched careers," and the media asked him significantly more questions.
A veteran film critic stood up: "Li Zhixing, everyone was quite surprised during the movie."
"Even though it was your first time standing in front of the camera as an actor, your delivery of lines and your emotional expression were very natural and skillful. You didn't show any signs of being a newcomer."
"How did you manage to demonstrate such solid acting skills in your very first role? Did you use any special training methods?"
Li Zhixing humbly replied, "Although this is my first time acting formally, when I was a stunt double, I was always on set and had the opportunity to observe how the senior actors acted up close. I also often shamelessly asked them for advice, so I have been learning all along."
"The entire shoot went very smoothly, and I'm also grateful for the director's and senior colleagues' understanding." He then jokingly looked at Yin Jijun, "Director, I think I had relatively few takes, right?"
Yin Jijun nodded approvingly: "Indeed, I was quite nervous at first about casting Zhixing, but the result was amazing. His acting is very mature, with very few takes. Even while also working as a martial arts director, he almost never delayed the production schedule."
Hearing the director's praise, Li Zhixing smiled modestly.
But then, Yin Jijun changed the subject and said quietly, "However... there was one scene that Zhixing had to do 38 takes."
Li Zhixing's expression changed slightly, and he quickly waved his hand at the director, trying to stop him: "That's enough, director! That's enough of the praise..."
Seeing Li Zhixing's desperate attempt to cover his mouth, the cast and crew couldn't help but burst into laughter, their faces full of anticipation for a good show.
The reporters, sensing the gossip in the conversation, brightened up.
Park Kyung-lim, not wanting to miss such an opportunity, immediately followed up, "Aigoo, it seems there's more to this than meets the eye! Director, please satisfy everyone's curiosity!"
Amidst Li Zhixing's pained expression, Yin Jijun revealed the mystery with a smile: "Actually, the original script for the scene in the movie where Yiyuan bites Zhixing's lips wasn't about biting, but rather a romantic scene where Yiyuan holds Zhixing's head down and they share a deep kiss."
"But Zhixing, who was very capable in other scenes, completely 'froze' in this kissing scene. His expression was as stiff as a piece of wood, and he didn't even know where to put his hands. Even when Yewon's lips were frozen, he still couldn't find the right state."
"The two seniors, Kyung-gu and Jung-hoon, were so anxious that they went in front of the camera to teach him personally, but the kid still didn't get it."
Jiang Yiyuan, standing nearby, couldn't help but laugh and complain, "At the time, I even suspected that Zhixing was deliberately taking advantage of me! But when I asked, I found out that this handsome guy had never kissed before; it was his first kiss!"
"Oh?"
A gasp of surprise rippled through the audience.
Park Kyung-rim looked at Lee Ji-haeng in disbelief: "Ji-haeng-ssi has never kissed before?"
Li Zhixing covered his face in despair, and squeezed out a sentence with helplessness and pain: "Never...never."
Just as the entire audience burst into laughter because of this innocent past,
In the audience, Jessica and Yoona almost simultaneously, through gritted teeth, squeezed out two words:
"lie!!!"
......