"Oh," Zeno muttered.
He had a hunch his smile wasn't right. Maxie had nearly bitten him when he did so during their practice.
Daniel smirked. He wasn't the one being called out this time! He scoffed softly. This guy couldn't even get a smile right.
"We need you to smile genuinely at this scene," Man-shik PD said. "It's to show that you're truly rooting for Beom."
Zeno wordlessly nodded.
"Alright," Man-shik PD said. "Let's go ahead with the smile."
He went back to his seat. Zeno glanced at the camera and smiled.
"Cut!" Man-shik PD exclaimed once more.
Ari tilted her head to the side. "He can't do something like this?" she asked. "But, he can do much more complicated things."
The more she watched Zeno, the more she found him strange.
"Smile for me," Man-shik PD said.
Zeno did as he was told. Man-shik PD pursed his lips and shook his head. "Is that how you normally smile?"
"Yes," Zeno said. Although, there wasn't a lot to smile about, in his opinion. Imagine existing for more than 500 years with different lives. The definition of genuine happiness will truly begin to blur.
Minseok smirked as he watched Man-shik PD continue to direct Zeno.
"He's delaying the filming," he said, shaking his head. "Where did they get this guy? He has so many lines, too."
"He's been doing well until now, though," another extra said.
"But if he can't even do this simple thing—a smile—then he's not a good actor," Minseok deadpanned.
The others seemed convinced.
Man-shik PD didn't want to give up on him, though.
"How about the thought of a brand new car?" he asked, trying to elicit something from Zeno. "Or a huge mansion?"
"I don't need such material things," he truthfully said.
Man-shik and those listening were touched by his sentiment. Such a young man didn't want those material things? What kind of humility did he have?
Bong, on the other hand, scoffed. Who wouldn't want those things? This newbie was speaking out of his ass!
"Hmm, how about seeing your family succeed?" Man-shik PD asked.
Zeno pursed his lips. Well, he hadn't even met his family since they were in Busan.
"Just something you genuinely want to have," Man-shik continued.
Zeno searched his mind for something he wanted, and then it hit him.
He cleared his throat, interrupting Man-shik's directions. "I'm ready, director," he said.
Man-shik was still hesitant but nodded in the end. "Alright," he said. "Let's hope this is a shot."
With that, he went back to his seat while Bong clicked the slate.
Zeno stood from the bench and then turned his head slightly to the side where Daniel was. There were no more lines anymore. Just one genuine smile, and he could go home.
The corner of his lips went up, and his eyes narrowed slightly. Just like perfect timing, a ray of the sun glimmered in his direction, captured by the camera.
And as he did this action, Zeno had merely one thought in mind—'my ten-year-long rest.'
Ari and Man-shik were focused on the small screen, gasping simultaneously as Zeno accomplished the last scene.
"This is…"
"This is perfect," Man-shik PD muttered.
Ari couldn't help but agree. She didn't even write it in the script with much detail. It was just a genuine smile. It wasn't even supposed to be an 'iconic' scene—those that people would clip over and over again.
However, Zeno took it up a notch.
It wasn't a full smile. His teeth weren't shown either. Instead, his lips curved softly.
It was his eyes that told the story. They shimmered, catching the golden light of the sun. There was a look of fulfillment in them—like he had grasped something he had been yearning for, not just for days or months, but for what felt like a hundred years.
In this scene, Zeno finally implemented the last and final step in that book—'Believe.'
He had to believe that everything happening in the scene was truly happening in real life. Hence, he believed he had already accomplished his mission and was on a ten-year-long rest.
"Cut!" Man-shik PD exclaimed.
Zeno stopped smiling in an instant. "Do I have to do it again?" he asked.
Man-shik PD went to where he was and placed his hand on his shoulder. "It was perfect," he said.
Daniel's eyes widened after he heard such a compliment coming out from Man-shik PD's mouth.
Perfect?
He had never said that word on set ever!
The staff members, who were also enchanted by Zeno's smile, snapped out of their trances
"Ah, but that was a really cute smile."
"Right? It feels boyish in some way."
"What's his name again? Zeno Han, right?"
"That kind of name is bound to be famous."
"Then, am I done, sir?" Zeno asked.
Man-shik PD merely nodded. "Great job," he said, patting his back. "Oh, Zeno. Before I forget. Wait for the filming to finish, will you? I'll be treating the entire team to a meat party!"
Zeno didn't respond. He bowed his head again and started walking away from the set.
[+1 Public Perception. Impressive acting.]
[+1 Talent and Skills. Acting improved.]
[TALENTS]
Acting: C
[Mediocre Meter: 95%]
It seemed he didn't make a mistake accepting this job. Only 5% more, and he was going to complete his mission!
Knowing he didn't have anything else to do, he decided to go. The filming was probably going to take until the evening.
Meanwhile, inside the tent holding the veteran Hyunbin Lee, the makeup artists talked in hushed voices, not wanting to disturb the legendary man.
"Have you heard? Man-shik PD called the newbie's acting perfect just a while ago."
"I was there," the other makeup artist said. "It was good. His smile was perfect."
Just then, Hyunbin opened his eyes, startling the two of them.
"Perfect, you say?"