Casting the First Stone

Chapter 8:

The next morning dawned brisk and clear, but Minho had barely slept. His mind was a tangled web of memories and plans, each fighting for his attention. Between his steady progress on set and the lingering echoes of Eunwoo's words, he felt a strange combination of exhaustion and exhilaration.

Still, there was no time to dwell. Today's shoot was crucial—a pivotal moment in the drama where Seo Jiho faced his first public critique, a scene requiring not just acting skill but emotional vulnerability.

Minho arrived at the set early again, his script in hand. The production crew bustled around him, adjusting lighting and testing camera angles.

"Hyunjae-ssi!"

He turned to see Yuna waving at him, a bright smile lighting her face.

"You're early as always," she said, walking up to him.

"I could say the same for you," Minho replied.

Yuna shrugged. "I like to watch how everything comes together before we start. It's fascinating, don't you think?"

Minho nodded, appreciating her enthusiasm. "It is. Every little detail matters."

As they chatted, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Hyunjae."

Minho turned to see Jaehyun approaching, his expression unreadable.

"Director wants to see us," Jaehyun said curtly.

The cast gathered in front of the director, who stood with his arms crossed. His piercing gaze swept over them before landing on Minho and Jaehyun.

"This scene is the turning point for Jiho," he began. "It's not just about anger or sadness—it's about raw humanity. The audience needs to feel like they're standing in his shoes. Understand?"

Minho nodded.

The director continued, "Hyunjae, you're holding the emotional weight here. Jaehyun, your character is the instigator. I need chemistry—conflict that sparks and burns, but doesn't cross into melodrama."

Jaehyun smirked. "I can handle that."

Minho said nothing, but his jaw tightened. He couldn't let Jaehyun overshadow him.

The Confrontation

The scene took place in a gallery courtyard, where Jiho was confronted by a group of critics after his latest work was displayed. Jaehyun's character, Kang Hyuk, played the role of a condescending journalist, questioning Jiho's worth as an artist.

The tension was already high as they took their places.

"Camera rolling… action!"

Minho stood in the center of the courtyard, his hands shoved into his pockets. His character's unease was palpable, his eyes darting nervously to the critics around him.

Jaehyun stepped forward, his every movement oozing confidence. "So, Jiho," he said, his tone dripping with mockery, "what inspired you to create… this?" He gestured to the painting behind them, his smirk widening as the critics chuckled.

Minho's lips tightened, his gaze fixed on Jaehyun. "I don't need your approval," he said quietly, his voice steady but taut.

Jaehyun leaned closer, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "No, but you do need an audience. And audiences don't waste time on mediocrity."

The words were a gut punch, and Minho felt them echo through his character's insecurities. His breath hitched, his shoulders stiffening as he fought to keep his composure.

"Cut!"

The director stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "Good tension, but Hyunjae, I need more from you. Let Jiho's frustration and desperation show—not just in your words, but in your body language."

Minho nodded, frustration bubbling beneath his skin.

Jaehyun chuckled quietly, just loud enough for Minho to hear. "Looks like you've got some work to do."

Minho shot him a look, his resolve hardening.

The next take began, and this time, Minho pushed deeper.

When Jaehyun delivered his line, Minho's response came with a sharp, bitter laugh. "Mediocrity?" he said, stepping closer. "You think throwing words around makes you superior? At least I have the guts to create something. What have you ever done but tear others down?"

His voice cracked slightly on the last word, and the vulnerability in his expression was raw, almost painful to watch.

The courtyard went silent, the air thick with tension.

"Cut!" the director called, his voice sharp. He turned to Minho, a small smile tugging at his lips. "That's what I'm talking about. Let's lock it."

Minho exhaled shakily, the weight of the scene lifting as the crew moved to reset.

[Task Progress: 100% Complete]

Performance Rating: A

Reward: +2 Skill Points, Minor Publicity Boost Unlocked.

Minho glanced at Jaehyun, whose smirk had faded slightly. For the first time, it seemed Minho had managed to surprise him.

The Rumors Begin

After the shoot, Minho lingered on set, helping himself to a bottle of water. Nearby, he overheard two crew members talking in hushed tones.

"Did you see Hyunjae's performance today?"

"Yeah. I didn't expect him to pull that off. He might actually have something."

Minho's lips curled into a small smile. It was a start—a spark of recognition in an industry that had once turned its back on him.

The System's Warning

That evening, as Minho reviewed his script for the next day, the system chimed.

[New Task Unlocked: Navigate Public Scrutiny]

Objective: Handle an unexpected media report without tarnishing your reputation. Deadline: 48 hours.

Minho frowned. "Media report? What are you talking about?"

The system didn't elaborate, but an uneasy feeling settled in his chest. He knew better than anyone how fast rumors could spread—and how easily they could destroy someone's career.

"Guess I'll have to be ready," he muttered, setting his script aside.

For now, he would focus on what he could control. The rest would come soon enough.