Within the spaces

Episode 15

The mentor's voice cut through the quiet studio, steady and authoritative. "This scene isn't just about love or lust," she began, her tone firm yet gentle. "It's about solace - two people finding each other amidst the chaos. Aneung is Neung's anchor, the one who pulls her back from the edge when everything around her is crumbling. It's not just affection; it's healing through touch, presence, and shared vulnerability."

The mentor paused, letting the weight of the words settle in the room. "Neung, despite knowing it's complicated, is willing to surrender to Aneung because in that moment, she can't bear the pain of being lost and regretful. She will do whatever it takes to stop feeling that emptiness-even if it means reaching for something she can't fully understand."

Yoko listened intently, though her posture betrayed her nerves. She sat on the edge of the couch, her fingers gripping her script as if it were the only solid thing in the room. Faye noticed the way Yoko kept her gaze down, occasionally glancing her way but quickly looking away when their eyes met.

This was Yoko's first love scene, not just in the show but in her career. Despite her long-standing presence in the industry, she had never played a role that involved such intimacy. Faye, on the other hand, had experience in both life and work, yet today was different. She wasn't sure if it was the significance of the scene or the vulnerability she sensed in Yoko, but it made her feel an unexpected weight of responsibility.

They started with the scene's opening moments, seated close on the couch. Yoko, in character as Aneung, was supposed to console Neung as she broke down in grief. But Yoko struggled to settle into the moment. Every time she reached to touch Faye's face or meet her eyes, she would giggle nervously, breaking the illusion. Faye didn't mind. She even chuckled a few times herself.

"Relax, Yo," Faye said softly after their third attempt. "Imagine we're just two people here. Take your time."

Yoko nodded, taking a deep breath, but her hands still trembled as she reached out to touch Faye's face. The gesture was supposed to be tender, but it came off hesitant, her hand hovering awkwardly.

The mentor stepped in, demonstrating how Aneung would gently cradle Neung's face, brushing away her tears before leaning in, letting their foreheads touch briefly. "It's about connection," she explained. "Let the touch convey everything Aneung can't put into words."

Faye tried to keep the mood light, smiling along with Yoko's awkwardness. "Yo, you're like a tiny puppy," she teased after one of their failed attempts, ruffling Yoko's hair affectionately.

Yoko laughed but didn't respond, her face slightly flushed. Faye recognized the signs of Yoko's nerves and decided to shift gears. Playfulness wouldn't help now. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and imagined herself as Neung, channeling the weight of loss and the fragile hope for comfort. When she opened her eyes again, tears glistened but didn't fall.

The change in Faye was palpable, and it seemed to flip a switch in Yoko. Her laughter subsided, her demeanor changing as she slipped into Aneung's skin. Yoko straightened, her expression softening as she focused on Faye.

Tentatively, Yoko reached out and brushed a tear from Faye's cheek, her fingers trembling but steadying as she continued. She cupped Faye's face gently, her touch soft and deliberate, as if Aneung feared Neung might shatter. Yoko leaned in slowly, their foreheads meeting briefly. Yoko hesitated, her breath lingering near Faye's mouth. Faye felt the pause, the tension thick and almost overwhelming. Yoko's lips touched hers softly at first, as if testing the waters. The kiss was featherlight, tentative, but it lingered long enough for both to sink into its meaning. It wasn't rushed or clumsy; it was careful, measured, and filled with Aneung's love and devotion.