The Gossip of BL [E-book on MEB]

CHAPTER 27 : So, Confused.

The alarm clock on Kan's cell phone that he had set the night before woke him up before dawn. It was the first day he was supposed to be on set for a new TV series. He hurriedly showered and changed into a t-shirt and sweatpants, preferring comfort over appearances because he'd have to change into multiple costumes once on set anyway.

He got into the Grab car that came to pick him up while still half asleep. Kan had to go to set by himself today because his manager was busy managing another one at an out-of-town event. But it wasn't a big concern because he was used to looking after himself.

Kan's house to the shooting location was only approximately a half-hour drive away. He came on site at 6 a.m., exactly on time. Kan greeted each individual he passed with a courteous wai, remembering his manager's advice to show respect to everyone on set. He entered and spotted P'Jeab waiting there, so he waved hello.

"Good morning, P'Jeab."

"Oh, Nong Kan, you're early; the makeup and costume area is this way," P'Jeab said, leading him deeper inside.

Only the makeup artists, hairstylists, and wardrobe team were there at the time. Kan sat down to do his makeup first because he didn't want to waste time.

"Have you eaten yet, Nong Kan?" inquired the makeup artist as she prepared his skin for moisturizer.

"Not yet."

"Why don't you go eat first and then come back for makeup?"

"It's okay; I'm not that hungry yet. It's still too early," Kan said.

"All right, then," the makeup artist remarked before slathering the lotion all over his face and mixing it in.

Kan was well aware of the cosmetics artist's deft touches. He did not fall asleep even when she accidentally nudged him. He had been sitting motionless for quite some time when he heard a familiar voice greet him. A hand stroked his shoulder as the voice approached.

"What's up, Kan? Eaten yet?"

"Good morning, P'Book," Kan responded, his eyes still closed.

"Nong Book, go eat first," the hairdresser said.

"Okay," Book said. Kan heard the door of the dressing room open, and footsteps went away.

Kan's makeup was finished soon after Book left. The wardrobe stylist advised him to change into the shirt for the first scene before finishing his hair to avoid messing up his groomed hair when changing costumes later. Kan then went to get the first scene's t-shirt and quickly changed into it before returning to the hairstylist's chair.

Because time was running out, the hairstylist got right to work on styling his hair. Despite his belief that he could spend his time perfecting it, he frequently had to work quickly when dealing with multiple performers coming in and out. Despite numerous requests from management, they insisted on keeping things as simple as possible: one makeup artist and one hairstylist. However, that was insufficient for the eight actors. It was unfair to be overworked and punished for working too slowly, especially when the majority of the criticism came from people who never came to set to see how they worked. Those placed on a pedestal like elephants clearly could not understand what was going on on the ground.

Kan frequently overheard makeup and hair stylists complaining about being rushed to work faster, only to be chastised for not making the actors look good enough or for taking too long when they tried their hardest. He felt sorry for them because they had to deal with constant criticism from higher-ups who had never worked in the industry. How could they do their jobs properly in such circumstances? The yelling and complaining critics rarely showed up on set and had no idea how each team worked. They simply sat in their ivory tower with a bird's eye view, unable to properly perceive reality on the ground.