16 Filming Dream High

"It's almost time. Why aren't they here yet?" The director for drama waited for the final members of the cast to arrive before we could start the script reading.

I was just in my trailer having my make-up done while reading and memorizing the script. The rest of the cast weren't here yet and I was waiting for them.

"They still have an hour left junmoo-nim (director). Give them some time." The writer and producer said.

The director was getting impatient and decided to head off and wait inside his trailer. The producer also followed suit.

I could hear the director grumbling. "The rookie even came before them. Hah… I guess it can't be helped."

There was still much time but I guess this is how they do it in dramas. I never knew because this is the first time I've been on one. But they've taught us how to act back in our trainee days.

Acting is very vital for an Idol. According to our acting coach, "Acting, when used at the right place and at the right time can be your greatest weapon."

I didn't understand it at first but when we had our promotions, what he said actually made sense. You have to really try your best to act the part. Especially if the company has given you a personality to act out. It's also important to act out that you are okay on stage even if you are not.

"Oh? JayB-ah?" I heard a voice call out to me.

I turn around and saw Suzy-sunbaenim come in.

"Oh? Noona? You're here too?" I asked.

She then giggled. "Of course I am. But why are you here? Are you a member of the supporting casts?"

"I have no idea yet actually. This is my first time in a drama so I'm practically clueless." I answered while scratching the back of my head.

She then playfully slapped my arm before she wrapped her arms around it. "Don't worry. Noona will take care of you. Let's go!"

The next thing I knew, I was been dragged around while being introduced to the members of the crew and staff.

People even started giggling and chuckling when they saw us. It was like two siblings walking around the set.

"Ya Bae Suzy! Where have you been? Oh I see that you've met the rookie." The director said.

Suzy-noona then let go of my arm started approaching the director. "Junmoo-nim… Sorry about that. I was in a shoot for our MV. Will you for give me?~"

I can't believe I just saw Bae Suzy do an aegyo in real life.

"Ya Suzy-ssi, just get ready for the script read. We'll have the shoot this afternoon for the first 2 episodes. The schedule is quite tight you see. We have to air it before the year ends." The director said before he walked towards the crew to check if everything was ready.

"Noona… you're something else." I shook my head before she turned around and pouted at me.

"JayB-ah… you are part of the supporting cast. Which one are you? You better not be paired up with anyone?" She said.

I smiled wryly while laughing awkwardly. "Actually… you see…"

"He's being paired up with me."

A voice from behind us replied.

It was IU-sunbaenim.

"Nice to see you here, Suzy-ah." She said before grabbing my arm and locking it with hers.

"You? Hah… Unnie… I'm trying to mentor our hoobae here." Suzy-noona also did the same.

Now I'm in the middle of these two ladies. Someone please help!

"Say, JayB-ah. Who do you prefer as your pair for this drama?" IU-noona asked.

"Yes, JayB-ah. I'd like to know as well." Suzy-noona also pressed on.

I could feel cold sweat dripping on my back. Help! "Uhh… you see… uh…"

"Stop bullying our hoobae you two." Another voice came from behind us. And this person separated the two ladies away from me.

He then placed his arm on me and said, "Ya JayB-ssi. Don't let them bother you. They mean well. They just enjoy teasing the hoobaes."

It was Ok Taecyeon.

"Hyung? You're here. Why are you here?" I got so confused.

"Oh didn't you hear? This is a JYP project. Well mostly… I'm also part of the cast with you guys." He replied.

I was shocked. JYP PD-nim must be pulling a prank or something! He didn't tell me everything!

IU-noona giggled and grabbed my arm. "JYP PD-nim is also part of the cast. So I think we'll be fine."

Before I could react. She went away while dragging me.

"I'll talk to you guys later! It's nice to see you!" I yelled out to them while I was being dragged away by her.

___________

"Great job! I guess we did pick the right people for the job!" The director complimented everyone in the room.

He then turned to me. "Especially you, JayB-ssi. Are you sure you're a rookie? You just sounded so professional earlier."

I waved my hands at the director. "Ah, Thank you, junmoo-nim but it's probably because I'm with my sunbaenims that I'm comfortable with what I'm doing."

We were in the director's trailer doing the script reading for the first two episodes. It took us about 3 hours to do the reading.

The director just announced that the shoot will start tonight and will continue until tomorrow afternoon so all of us will stay here for the night.

We all applauded before we stood up and headed towards our own dressing rooms.

"Waah! That was intense!" Kim Soo Hyun-sunbaenim exclaimed. He is also part of the cast as Suzy-noona's male leading pair.

We were heading together with the guys to the men's trailer.

"I was nervous the entire time." I also complained.

"Really? It didn't seem like it though." Taecyeon-hyung said.

Soohyun-sunbaenim laughed. "Don't worry. The nervousness doesn't go away no matter how many times you do it."

"Really, sunbaenim?" I asked.

"Of course! A professional always gets nervous. That's why it's fun and that's what makes it worth it in the end. And please just talk informally to me." He said as he slapped my back.

Which by the way really hurt…

We all continued to goof around until we reached our trailer. Soon we were trying to find the right clothes that fit our character.

"Hmm… I think my character will look good with this." I was wearing skinny jeans with a pair of gold high-cut shoes. I had a white long sleeves polo with a dark gray vest on. I was also wearing a fedora hat.

"Woah… so the rumors are true that the leader of Alpha would look good in anything he wears." Soohyun-hyung told me.

It was true. Because of the many photo shoots that our group went and because of the previous commercials that we had, fans have begun spreading online photos of me. They would say that I'd look good in anything that I wear.

Even photos from our reality TV show were resurfacing. Photos of me in the dorm wearing my oversized t-shirts, oversized sweaters and my onesies.

Yes… a man's got to wear what a man feels like wearing. What? It's comfortable!

Well… anyway. I wasn't too happy about it because I felt like I was only appreciated by my looks and not by my talent.

That's why I prefer to be called talented than handsome. But this works too…

I got embarrassed at the Soohyun-hyung's comment and didn't reply.

Taecyeon-hyung didn't let it slip by. "Ya… look at this guy. No wonder they had so many commercial deals and almost got a brand sponsor. Hah… I'm so envious."

I got all flustered and began panicking. "W-what?! No… it's be-"

"Relax JayB-ah. We're only messing with you." Soohyun-hyung patted my back.

"HYUNG!" They all laughed at my innocence. Even the stylists and make-up artists joined in as well.

Seriously… Go on. HA HA… Laugh at the rookie.

But I still liked this atmosphere. It's warm and it makes you feel welcomed.

"Ya JayB-ah. Later on when we have our shoot, please don't feel overwhelmed or feel intimidated by us hyungs, okay? We're really friendly but work is work, and you have to learn to accept that and separate what is real from the character you are portraying. That's how you get to act the part." Soohyun-hyung encouraged.

Wow. I got my first words of wisdom from an actor.

"Yeah… especially when he gets into character. You'll really find the script reading different from the actual filming." Taecyeon-hyung added.

These guys are really making me feel welcomed on set. It's a big help actually.

Soohyun-hyung wrapped his arm over my shoulder and said. "Don't worry. We'll protect you, and if you have any questions or if you need help, don't hesitate to ask. Got it?"

I just gave him an okay sign before we went out of our trailer and head towards the set.

______________

"Cut! Nicely done JayB-ssi, IU-ssi!" the director was very pleased. He got what he wanted in just a few takes.

I was really nervous because the director was really pissed the entire day because something went wrong with the booking for the place. Instead of a shoot, we went to do screen tests instead.

We had to postpone our shoot 2 weeks from now because the director wanted to finish the songs and the dances for the show instead while waiting for the approval for the bookings and all.

We had two weeks to learn the songs and the choreography. What's worse was that I had to write the songs for the drama. Hah…

In the previous world, I only listened to some of the songs in the drama and the OST. Because I was still in America at that time, I wasn't able to watch the real drama. So I didn't see how the show went. But when I got to Seoul, I was able to listen to the songs from the drama.

I had to since I was studying music producing at that time and how the K-pop's music transitioned throughout the years. Dream High had a very huge role to play in that transition.

That's why I said yes to helping out with the music.

Although I wasn't appearing much in this show, I still had much to do for the drama as a whole.

"JayB-ah, join us over for lunch!" IU-noona started clinging to my arm and dragged me to where the rest of the cast were.

She introduced me to many of the cast members. She told me secretly that in order to strengthen my foundations in this industry I must be in good terms with my colleagues, the directors and the producers.

It would be a great way to be offered a different project in the future.

"Hold on, noona. I got to make a phone call." I immediately called for a Starbucks coffee truck and a Pizza truck to come to our shoot.

Of course, I was willing to pay for it. If this is what it takes to thrive in this industry then I'll do it. But I would never suck up to my bosses. I just wanted to give back to the people who are hardworking.

So this is as much as for them as it is for me.

After making the call, I joined the rest of the cast and we started talking about what the possible episodes hold. Or if anyone signed a "no kissing" agreement or what. Once that topic was placed on the table, the fun then begun.

For them… fun for them…

Why?

"JayB-ah? You didn't sign that agreement, did you?" IU-noona pouted and gave me those puppy dog eyes.

God she's cute…

What do I say?

Taecyeon-hyung smirked. "Of course he didn't! Why would a rookie give up his first kiss?"

As soon as I heard that, I tried to stop it. "That's no-"

"Now, now, now. It's probably not his first kiss. Someone as handsome as him should have at least dated before his debut, right?" Soohyun-hyung teased even more.

Why me?! Why does it have to be me? Probably because I'm the maknae on this cast.

But still… Why me?!

I tried to stop them from speaking. "Hyung, that's not… It's not…"

"What's this? Did you actually have your first kiss already? I'm hurt, JayB-ah!" IU-noona was being sarcastic while placing her hand on her chest as if she was hurt.

These guys are really starting to bug me off. "Noona I-"

"Of course he already did. Don't you guys know? Someone from our company already took his heart from the start." Suzy-noona added oil to the fire.

"Noona!" I yelled as I slammed my hands on the table.

"Ohoh? Look at him all flustered now. Now who's this mysterious girl?" Taecyeon-hyung was wiggling his eyebrows at me.

I stood up and started walking away.

"Oh come on, JayB-ah! It was just a joke." Taecyeon-hyung and his long arm grabbed the back of my shirt and sat me down.

"The calm and collected leader of Alpha can't even take a joke. Come on, JayB-ah. We're just teaching you how to answer the press later on." Suzy-noona said as she took a bite of her food.

The press?

Oh the press!

Right… they'll have even more awful questions than this.

Especially… Dispatch…

So that's what this was!

Hah! I was a fool.

"So… this mysterious girl? Is it Suzy-ssi or IU-ssi?" Seeing me calm down, Taecyeon-hyung then took the opportunity to tease me some more.

"Hyung!" I yelled again and they all laughed.

"But seriously though… who would you pick between these two." Soohyun-hyung pressed on.

Seriously? What are we? Kindergarten?

"Yeah JayB-ah. Who DO you pick? Me or IU-unnie?" Suzy-noona also joined in on the fun.

"I… uh…" I was stammering and trying to figure out what to say.

This is a trap!

Just then a heaven sent message came to me. The food and coffee trucks arrived!

"Oh look! It's here! I got us a coffee and pizza truck. So I uh… I gotta go pay! Bye!" I immediately bolted to the truck without answering.

When I left…

"The kid's too polite." Suzy-noona smirked.

"I know. Makes me want to tease him more." IU-noona giggled.

"We have a great junior in our hands." Taecyeon-hyung said.

The rest just nodded in agreement.

____________

We spent the next few weeks and months rehearsing, recording and shooting. At the same time, we were also fulfilling our duties to our respective bands.

It was really a hectic and stressful couple of months for me. I would go out of the dorm at 4am and come home at around 1am. I barely had any sleep. The members would just let me sleep in the car whenever we were heading to one of our schedules and wouldn't dare disturb me.

But now, we were finally coming to an end to our shoot for the Korean drama, dream high. I was still on set with IU-noona who's playing Kim Phil Sook while I was playing Jason.

The camera was still rolling and we were in our 4th take now…

"It's just sad that I have to delete all of my photos just because I'd be ashamed of my past." She said.

She was really in character right now.

I had to do my best as well. "Well, don't worry. I'd still remember the old you no matter what."

"Hmm?" she acted confused.

I showed her my phone which displayed a picture of her when she was fat.

"Wait! So… all this time? You had me as your wallpaper?!" She sounded surprise.

I smirked at her. Of course! I've never learned smirking as much as this in my entire life. I was portraying a cocky character after all. "Didn't you see my wallpaper before?"

"No… So who's Julie or whatever? You keep telling her 'I miss you' and 'I love you'." She spoke really fast as if she was flustered about the situation.

I then flicked my finger on her forehead. "Julie is my sister, you idiot."

She tried to run away because she got embarrassment but I stopped her by grabbing her hand and turning her to face me.

We both stared in to each other's eyes. Her eyes were really shining right now. I leaned closer as if I was about to kiss her. IU-noona then closed her eyes.

I smirked at her reaction and then went to kiss the stuffed monkey that was on her back.

"What was that?!" She asked.

"I don't know. The monkey just looked so adorable. Why did you close your eyes?" I teased.

She then huffed. "I don't know!"

She then turned her back and was about to run away again but I grabbed her arm and forcefully faced her towards me.

I held both of her cheeks and…

Leaned in for a kiss…

On the forehead…

After that one. She angrily pouted at me which made me scoff.

I was about turn around but she grabbed the back of my neck and forced me to bend down towards her height for a soft and gently kiss.

"Cut! That was beautiful! Great job you two!" The director yelled.

We both pulled away from the kiss and applauded everyone for their hard work. This was the last scene that we had to shoot today. The reason is because the site is on a different location.

After thanking everyone, I immediately rushed off to my trailer.

Why?

I was still practically still nervous and embarrassed from the kiss. My ears were still warm and red.

The only person I ever kissed in my previous life like that was… her…

Now…

I sighed while messing up my hair. I should have signed the "no kissing" agreement.

When I first read the script, I had to ask the director if we would be faking it out. But he wanted something real. So we had no choice.

I spent 2 weeks preparing myself and asking questions from people. IU-noona was not helping because she kept on teasing me about it. Suzy-noona on the other hand was so against it. She actually told me to quit.

I wonder why?

But obviously… I didn't. Doesn't matter though.

*Knock! Knock! Knock!*

"Yeah. Come in." I answered.

A familiar face then peeked from the door. "Are you… okay? You looked irritated earlier?"

It was obvious that IU-noona was worried about me judging from her tone. Was I that obvious?

"It's nothing, noona." I lied.

"Please don't. I know that you're lying. We've spent four months doing this project and I know you well enough when you lie." She said.

There was a hint of sadness over her tone. Did I offend her?

I sighed. "It's nothing really. I promise you. I just overreacted." I answered.

"Overreacted? On what?" She asked.

"About what happened earlier." I answered.

She smiled and approached me before patting my shoulder. "Did I make you feel uncomfortable?"

I could see that she was trying her best to cheer me up. "No. It's not that. It's just…"

I stopped myself from saying anymore. I might do more harm than good. It would mean bad news for us. I turn around to let her avoid seeing me getting embarrassed.

"There's just a few more days before we end the filming. So there's not much to worry." She assured me.

"Yeah… a few more days." I sounded so melancholic. What's wrong with me?

She then patted me one last time before she went for the door. "It's always like that. You'll miss the people you've worked with. Even the staff that you had dinner and lunch with. But soon, we have to move on and go to the next project."

I just nodded at her. Before I said goodbye.

She then turned around and opened the door. "Oh and JayB…"

I was in the middle of packing my stuff but I turned to face her. "Hmm?"

She then smiled at me sadly while keeping her composure. "Don't worry. It was my first kiss too."

Then she went out and closed the door.

_______________