the place under the spotlight | soogyu

Prologue

"You can't keep doing this, Beomgyu."

"It's not my fault you can't afford all of my needs!"

The yelling. Soobin hates how Beomgyu would scream over his calm voice. It made his ears ring, like they're coming from the quietest room before hearing Beomgyu's pitching voice. How irritating.

"You're not supposed to be eating on set-" Soobin once again tried a calm approach, only to be cut off.

"I was hungry! I told you I was starving and you won't listen to me!"

Soobin slapped his hand on his own face out of exhaustion. "That's not my fault. I emailed, texted, and even told everyone yesterday that we'll take a lengthy time shooting this scene because of the required shots. I didn't fall short on doing my part."

It took a lot for Soobin not to slam the door at Beomgyu's face when the actor began to whine. He's acting like a child, it's not a pretty sight.

"I'm your protagonist!"

"So is Yeonjun, yet you don't see me giving him the privilege to just eat in the middle of taping, and ending up ruining his clothes."

"Don't you dare compare me to him," Beomgyu snarled, and it didn't take a genius to know that Soobin hit a nerve.

Choi Beomgyu, proclaimed Best Rookie Actor upon debut, was a mess. His shirt was covered in red paste, far from any props and planned outfit; truthfully from the tteokbokki he smuggled on set when he should have eaten lunch prior to his arrival. Unlike fierce looks and sweet smiles, Soobin sees a scowl on the actor's face. It reminded him of Angry Birds, but he held back from saying that out loud.

"Fine, but I am expecting you to never do this again," Soobin proceeded to end the conversation by closing the door before Beomgyu could react, not forgetting to lock it tight.

He knew it was rude, and Beomgyu telling him it was was enough to realize, but must he not have hired Beomgyu in the first place then he wouldn't need to take meditations every five minutes.

It would have been easier if Beomgyu was horrible at his job, if he was one of those actors that earn from their faces rather than their talents. But God had his favorites; Beomgyu was one of them.

He's an outstanding actor who has starred in multiple award-winning films. Under his names were recognitions that impressed Soobin within first glance.

So, don't misunderstand! Soobin is more than thankful for having Beomgyu in the movie he's producing and directing, but he didn't get a heads-up on how "high maintenance" this A-list celebrity is.

A nicely shot scene done in the cold? Beomgyu just had to ask for a retake because he forgot to add extra moisturizer on his lips. ("Your role demands simplicity." "Moisturizing your lips is literally the bare minimum.")

Outfits pre-planned to fit the setting and story? Beomgyu wouldn't shut up about his opinions on things he doesn't fully understand. ("No, you can't wear boots and shorts in a church scene!")

A kissing scene? Beomgyu kept blabbering about the most uncomfortable things about his co-actor. ("How should we kiss? Like our first kiss or our kiss in the dressing room for a quickie?" "That's below the belt.")

The list goes on and on.

Soobin wonders if Beomgyu was always like this or if it's just because of the circumstances he's in right now—the latter always seem to be the most likely answer.

"I'm sorry about the troubles Beomgyu caused," Yeonjun apologized when he and Soobin bumped into each other on their way out. "Rescheduling the shoot is an additional job for you."