HPDBC Chapter 1498 Filming Completed
Chapter 1498 Filming Completed
Chapter 1498 Filming Completed
"Get ready..."
Upon hearing Kim Ji-won's words, Ji Kyung-won, who was biting on a straw, paused slightly and pondered for a moment.
After several months of hard work by everyone in the crew, filming of "The Spy" is gradually coming to an end, and the plot is about to reach its conclusion.
At this point in the plot, the core secret of the drama "Spying" has been revealed: the mastermind behind everything is Choi Young-sil, the Chief of Staff of the Blue House. She founded the secret organization "OZ" and used Dr. Daniel's fetal test data to conduct an extreme social experiment that lasted for decades, intending to use their crimes to promote the passage of the "psychopathic gene abortion law".
Ji Kyung-won plays Jung Ba-reum, who, after defeating the mastermind, becomes the pride of the police force and calmly walks into the police station to confess all his crimes as the psychopathic killer "Predator," and is ultimately sentenced to death.
But he couldn't wait for the execution... because brain transplant surgery is inherently risky, and the severe aftereffects caused Zheng Balin to suffer from splitting headaches every day, and he was nearing the end of his life.
At the end of his life, which was also the end of the drama, Zheng Balin completed three meaningful farewells.
Seeking revenge as his son, he killed his own father, Han Seo-joon, a deranged killer known as the "Headhunter," after he was imprisoned. Han Seo-joon inherited his twisted genes and preceded him by this monstrous killer.
He bids farewell to his lover, and his girlfriend, Wu Fengyi, who has learned the truth, comes to see him one last time, but... says she will never forgive him.
After saying goodbye to his family, detective Gao Wuzhi, who regarded him as a younger brother, also came to visit him in prison. The two faced each other in silence, but he still did not receive forgiveness.
Even at the end of the story, Jung Ba-rin was unable to atone for his sins.
Even though he developed feelings for his girlfriend and friends later in the story, and used his superior intelligence and skills to punish bad guys, but...
In the end, there was no so-called "prodigal son returns" or a melodramatic "protagonist redemption." With his hands covered in blood, he never received his friends' forgiveness. He ultimately experienced the deepest pain in the world and died alone in pain and regret.
All the plot, foreshadowing, and even the spin-offs have been filmed; now all that's left are the final few scenes to wrap things up.
The most important scene is also the last scene featuring Ji Kyung-won as the male lead, Jung Ba-reum.
After going to prison, Zheng Balin held three meaningful farewell ceremonies in the final stage of his life, and then there was one last thing he wanted to do...
Make peace with yourself... make peace with your past self.
Although Jung Ba-rin possessed abnormal genes as a child, he was never willing to succumb to them. He forcibly restrained his bloodthirsty impulses and did not want to hurt others.
As a child, he often prayed desperately to God in a church, begging God to help him, 'Please, don't let me become a monster.'
He just wanted to be an ordinary person.
He put in a lot of effort to avoid turning into a monster, but... fate played a cruel trick on him. Under the influence of the 'OZ' organization, or rather, his living environment, he ultimately couldn't defy his twisted genes and bloodthirsty nature, and embarked on the path of a psychopathic killer.
Even after becoming a serial killer, he still harbored the same childhood dream, but this dream had evolved into a more twisted emotion. Subconsciously, he felt that his prayers were not being answered, so his actions, thoughts, and even the methods of killing were imbued with hatred and defiance towards God.
Having experienced so many heinous yet heart-wrenching things, Zheng Balin, after atoning for his sins and saying goodbye to everyone, returned to the church where he had prayed in his childhood at the last moment of his life.
Here, Zheng Balin saw his younger self, gently hugged him, patted his back, tenderly comforted him, and finally uttered that extremely powerful line:
"You are no longer a monster."
This ending uses a romantic approach, where he returns to this place at the end of his life as an adult, finally achieving self-redemption and acceptance through his own will, and fulfilling the unfulfilled prayers of his childhood.
This ending is the best interpretation and conclusion for Jung Ba-rin. God gave this incorrigible monster emotions, allowing him to die in endless regret, which is both punishment and his final redemption.
This setup perfectly completes the loop and is a very important ending to the entire series. If it is acted well and the feeling is conveyed, it will be a significant enhancement to the entire series.
However, this scene was also very difficult to film, especially for the lead actor, Ji Kyung-won. How could he portray that feeling, that emotion, that brought tears to people's eyes, that made them feel relieved, that made them sigh, that made them feel emotional, and that made them unable to let go for a long time?
If the filming is poor, the ending will lack the power to move people, and will have less impact and lingering resonance.
As an actor, anyone who reads the script knows that this scene will be difficult to film. Kim Ji-won knew this, and Ji Kyung-won certainly knew it too.
This part is actually a very difficult challenge for Chi Jingyuan. He has thought about it many times in private these past few days and tried to put himself in that mindset.
But I still feel like I can't quite find that feeling.
Perhaps because he did a lot of research and preparation before filming, Ji Kyung-won played the psychopath with ease, as if he were in his element. He didn't feel any difficulty at all, and the feeling that "the psychopath really came out" made everyone on the crew tremble with fear.
But he really found this scene difficult to control; in fact, it could be said to be the most difficult scene for him in the entire series.
"I don't know if this counts as preparation, I still feel like I haven't quite grasped that feeling..."
Chi Jingyuan hesitated for a long time, then shrugged, his words somewhat abstract.
But Kim Ji-won immediately understood what he meant: "Indeed, the script talks about 'exhaustion,' 'reconciliation, and relief,' wow, there aren't any specific actions or requirements. Just reading the script makes me think it's so difficult, I have no idea how to act it out~"
"I actually have some ideas, but I feel like it's still a little lacking." Chi Jingyuan nodded, looking somewhat hesitant.
"Would you like me to analyze this for you?" Kim Ji-won blinked and leaned closer.
A faint fragrance wafted into his nose. Chi Jingyuan looked up and met the large eyes so close to his own, and nodded with a smile:
"Okay, let's hear what Actor Kim has to say."
It seems like this woman has changed a little as filming for this drama is about to wrap up.
I don't know if it's just my imagination.
…………
Soon, it was time to film.
The filming location for this scene was a church in the suburbs of Gyeonggi Province, a location that had been used many times before.
The interior of the church was quiet and solemn, with stained glass windows letting in dappled sunlight that cast mottled shadows on the floor, creating a melancholic yet sacred atmosphere.
Because this was Ji Kyung-won's last scene as Jung Ba-reum, and also the soul of the entire drama, almost all the crew members gathered around, quietly standing aside to watch, even their breathing became soft, for fear of disturbing the filming.
Chi Jingyuan changed into Zheng Balin's prison uniform. The clothes were loose and thin, making his figure look even thinner.
He made a lot of preparations in advance, not only repeatedly studying the tone of the lines, but also designing some subtle movements to try to match the state of Jung Ba-rin on his deathbed. He also had a lot of discussions with Kim Ji-won beforehand.
However, once filming actually began, things didn't go as smoothly as he had imagined.
"Action!"
At director Ahn Gil-ho's command, Ji Kyung-won slowly walked into the church.
He walked slowly, his back slightly hunched, trying to show Zheng Balin's weariness that he didn't have much time left, but the emptiness in his eyes seemed somewhat deliberate, lacking the naturalness of someone who had experienced vicissitudes and was on their last legs.
He walked to the center of the church, stopped, slowly turned around, and looked at his childhood self in the void, trying to express that complex emotion.
"Cut!"
Anji-ho's voice rang out on time, his tone tinged with a hint of helplessness:
“Jingyuan, no, that’s not how it is. You have to remember, Zheng Balin is at the end of his life now, so his performance has lost some of its solemnity.”
"Then there's the gaze—not deliberate indifference, but calmness, even a touch of gentleness!"
"Let's try to find our rhythm again!"
Chi Jingyuan nodded slightly: "Okay, director, I understand."
He took a deep breath, adjusted himself, and returned to his original position.
"Action!"
Filming resumed. This time, Ji Kyung-won deliberately slowed his breathing, his steps became heavier, and he even staggered slightly, trying to portray Jung Ba-rin's exhaustion.
But when he looked into the camera for a close-up of his eyes, the director's voice rang out again.
"Cut!"
"Cut!"
"Cut!"
The director's voice kept ringing out.
Chi Jingyuan's self-designed movements and adjusted tone were all fine, but he just lacked that core feeling.
Without that spirit and flavor, no matter how well the eyes and movements are designed to fit the plot, the performance itself becomes increasingly unnatural.
With each take and each retake, the atmosphere in the church gradually became solemn.
This is the first time Ji Kyung-won has had so many takes since filming "The Spy".
Standing in the center of the film crew, Chi Jingyuan frowned helplessly.
He knew his performance lacked something, but he just couldn't quite grasp that spark of inspiration.
On the contrary, the more they try, the more anxious they become, and the worse they perform.
As Ahn Gil-ho looked at the footage on the camera, he gradually realized what the problem was.
After filming for about two hours, he paused for a moment, then finally picked up the walkie-talkie and said in a gentle tone, "Okay, let's stop filming here for today and continue tomorrow."
"Jingyuan, come here for a moment, let's talk about the play."
Upon hearing this, Ji Jingyuan nodded slightly, walked to Ahn Gil-ho's side, and said with a hint of guilt, "Director, I'm sorry for taking up everyone's time."
"Annyeonghwa".
Ahn Gil-ho patted him on the shoulder and burst out laughing: "Even if you're a TV King, you should have to do a few takes after filming for so long, right? If you can get it in one or two takes every time, I'll feel bored as the director."
"..." Chi Jingyuan's lips twitched, unsure whether he should laugh or keep a straight face.
“This scene is inherently difficult, so you don’t need to put too much pressure on yourself. I know you really want to do a good job and have done a lot of preparation, but sometimes, being too eager to succeed can backfire.”
"The most important thing about this film is the feeling. What is that feeling? It's the combination of everything: eyes, movements, posture, and temperament."
"Your movements were very well acted, but other aspects were slightly lacking."
"When you get back, think about it carefully. Don't try to deliberately design your actions and tone; just try to truly connect with Zheng Balin. We'll try again tomorrow."
"I see."
……
Back at his residence that evening, Chi Jingyuan didn't rest. Instead, he sat alone on the sofa and started reading the script again.
Instead of watching the current scene, he flipped back to the earlier episodes and rewatched the story about the protagonist, Jung Ba-rin, from his childhood.
Watching him struggle to suppress himself, watching him scratch his arm until it bled in an attempt to control his desires, watching him pray to God sincerely yet timidly, watching him be gradually consumed by his instincts—that helplessness, that fear.
He recalled Zheng Balin's life over and over again, his struggles, his sins, and his farewell, trying to truly empathize with his state of mind and find that feeling of weariness and relief.
Chi Jingyuan didn't sleep all night, letting the exhaustion overwhelm him.
After a sleepless night, the next morning, Chi Jingyuan's eyes were bloodshot, his face was pale, and his brows showed lingering fatigue, but his eyes held a newfound clarity.
Without taking a break, he went straight to the filming location.
Just like yesterday, the area around the church was still crowded with crew members, all silently watching this crucial scene with anticipation and a touch of nervousness in their eyes.
How well the ending is handled is crucial to the success of the drama, and Ji Kyung-won's scene is truly important.
and……
...Once Chi Jingyuan passes away, everyone will soon be able to have a holiday.
Chi Kyung-won walked to the center of the church, slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and put all his distracting thoughts behind him, gradually immersing himself in the role of Jung Ba-rin.
Looking at his condition, Ahn Gil-ho's eyes flashed with approval as he picked up the walkie-talkie:
"All departments, prepare! Action!"
As the command was given, Chi Jingyuan slowly opened his eyes. At that moment, he seemed no longer to be Chi Jingyuan; he was Zheng Balin.
Jung Ba-rin, who had little time left and was full of sins, was finally about to reconcile with himself.
He slowly walked into the church, his steps slow and heavy, yet seemingly with a hint of lightness. His back was slightly hunched, his shoulders relaxed, tense yet seemingly at ease.
He walked to the center of the church and stopped.
Soft light streamed through the glass skylight, slicing a striking dividing line along the edge of his backlit profile.
"listen to me……"
"I was born this way."
"Please beg him."
"Please, please don't turn me into a monster."
A murmured prayer sounded beside him. Chi Jingyuan turned his head slightly, looking at the source of the sound...
The young actor playing him was sitting there, wearing a simple gray coat, with his hands clasped together, eyes closed, praying devoutly.
But in his eyes, at this moment, this person didn't seem to be a child actor, but rather... himself as a child.
"Please, please don't turn me into a monster."
"Please, please don't turn me into a monster."
The simple plea came out of his mouth again and again as a child; that plea, that timidity, that hope, struck his heart again and again.
That was him when he was a child.
He remained silent for a moment, then slowly bent down and gently sat on the stool next to him, his movements slow and gentle, as if afraid of disturbing something.
As if sensing the movement around him, the young boy stopped praying and looked over.
The eyes of the two Jung Ba-rin met; one was that of his childhood self, and the other was that of him on his deathbed after experiencing everything.
Chi Jingyuan looked at his former self quietly, without any arrogant gaze or explosive feeling, just calm and gentle.
A faint reflection flickered in her pupils, making it impossible to tell whether it was a blurry tear or some other emotion.
With a touch of lingering reluctance and a gentle sense of relief.
"You already have."
He gave a faint smile, calm yet seemingly tinged with a hint of longing, and gently spoke, offering words of affirmation and comfort to a child who had been hurt for a long time.
A version of myself that has been lost for a long time:
"It's not a monster anymore."
When he was a child, his mouth trembled and he was about to cry. Chi Jingyuan gently leaned down and slowly pulled the small boy into his arms.
The hand that once killed is now gently stroking the hair and back of the child, as if caressing a fragile object.
At this moment, his wish seemed to have finally been fulfilled, his regrets seemed to have been relieved, and tears finally slid down from the corners of his eyes.
The colored beams of light from the church window fell directly on them, enveloping them in the same patch of light.