Director Shin Dongchun leaned in close to the monitor, his chin nearly touching it, and gave a small smile at the script supervisor's question.
"It's thanks to Woojin and Hwarin's excellent performance."
A warm, gentle atmosphere quickly spread among the staff.
"Doesn't it feel refreshing? Once we add the sound effects, filters, and visual appeal, it'll feel really clean."
"The actors' visuals blend perfectly with the drama and really elevate the romantic comedy tone. It's excellent."
Even though it was only the opening scene, the very first take, the staff had already become deeply immersed in the world of Boy Friend. A satisfied smile settled on Director Shin Dongchun's face.
'If it already feels this immersive on set, I wonder how the audience will react.'
The core of Boy Friend was clearly those heart-fluttering moments, but writer Choi Nana had hidden another strength. She had woven in emotions and memories unique to school days, making it easy for anyone who had experienced them, or was still living through them, to relate.
A story that connects with the present while stirring nostalgia.
Director Shin Dongchun's Boy Friend would become a work that felt warm and comfortable, with a light touch of fantasy layered in.
"Cut!! Good, let's move on to the next scene!"
His voice carried across the auditorium. The makeup team hurried over to Kang Woojin and Hwarin, while more than eighty extras began moving all at once. Before long, only Kang Woojin and Hwarin remained in the space.
It was all part of the direction.
On screen, the other students had disappeared, even though they were still present in the script. The intent was to focus the audience's attention entirely on Han Inho and Lee Bomin's expressions and thoughts. Even among a crowd, the gaze was meant to settle only on those two.
A moment later—
"Han Inho is ready!"
"Lee Bomin is ready!"
Once the makeup touch-ups were finished, Director Shin raised the megaphone again.
"Alright, action!"
The camera moved in for a close-up on Kang Woojin. His eyes were slightly red, as if he had just yawned. He looked calm and blank, as though he could fall asleep at any moment. Then, with quiet indifference, he brushed his hair back.
A soft swish followed.
Kang Woojin had already fully become Han Inho.
Han Inho blinked a few times. The auditorium had grown quiet, yet the principal's speech still echoed clearly in his ears. Everything felt unfamiliar, yet full of possibility, as if he had been thrown straight into that moment.
But he looked completely uninterested in the entrance ceremony.
'When is that bald principal going to finish?'
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze dull and unfocused. The camera captured that lifeless expression exactly as it was.
Then his eyes shifted.
Han Inho's gaze, which had been idly fixed on the front, moved to the opposite wall. He noticed Lee Bomin standing there. The camera followed his line of sight, but he soon returned his gaze forward.
'What is she doing?'
The interest that had faded returned because of her. Curiosity stirred. In that auditorium, the only person who could draw Han Inho's attention was Lee Bomin.
He stole another glance.
'Is she composing something again? Or just scribbling?'
Ignore her. It would be more entertaining if she got caught and scolded.
He faced forward again, but his eyes wavered slightly.
Should he look? No. Stop. But maybe just once more.
Several thoughts flickered across his gaze.
Without realizing it, a strange and unfamiliar feeling began to rise inside him.
In the end, his eyes drifted back to Lee Bomin.
"Ah."
This time as well, she was looking at him.
Their eyes met.
For several seconds, neither of them moved. The unfamiliar sensation caught Han Inho off guard, and he instinctively buried the emotion he could not yet understand.
Then—
"Eat this."
He raised his middle finger toward her.
As if telling her to get lost.
Startled, Lee Bomin stuck out her tongue in response. Their silent exchange did not last long. She turned her head away with a pout and faced forward again.
Han Inho watched her with a detached expression and muttered,
"She's sulking again."
A faint smile touched his lips. It was so subtle that no one would notice, but it carried a quiet sincerity and amusement.
To him, it felt natural.
"Just leave her alone. She'll get over it."
He still did not understand his own feelings. That awkwardness filled him, yet it was precisely that clumsy uncertainty that stirred the hearts of those watching.
The supporting actresses observing the scene reacted immediately.
"Kang Woojin… he's seriously too cute."
"Right? That small smile was lethal."
"Doesn't he have both tsundere younger-guy vibes and older-guy vibes at the same time? I'm going crazy."
"If someone that young stared at me like that, I'd fall instantly."
Most of them were women.
──────────
Late the next morning, in Anyang.
At a wide park, the Boy Friend filming crew, having successfully wrapped their first shoot the day before, began setting up equipment. The location they chose was a stretch known as the Cherry Blossom Road, where trees lined both sides of a long path.
They had selected it after reviewing many famous cherry blossom locations across the country.
The reason was simple. It matched the image described in the script better than anywhere else.
As soon as the crew arrived, onlookers began gathering.
"Oh my, they must be filming something!"
"Is it a drama? A movie?"
"Can you see any celebrities?"
However, the filming area had been secured from a distance, so it was difficult to see what was happening inside.
There was also a clear reason why the production was filming outdoors instead of at a high school.
They were shooting the opening scene of Boy Friend.
Not the past, but the present.
The moment when Han Inho and Lee Bomin first confirmed their feelings for each other.
And to heighten that moment even further, a kiss scene had been included.
It was an extremely important scene, one that could very well determine the success or failure of Boy Friend.
"The cherry blossom petals are ready!"
"Where?! No, wait! Bring more boxes! Let's not run into the same problem during filming!"
"Got it!"
"Are those people in the back our staff?!"
"They look like onlookers!"
"Why are they still standing there? Move them, they're going to end up in the shot!"
Dozens of staff moved quickly and with purpose. Director Shin Dongchun was no different.
"Good, let's test the wind machines. Turn both of them on."
He checked the devices meant to scatter the petals.
"Should we increase the intensity a bit? That looks fine. Let's try scattering petals during rehearsal."
Soon, petals were released into the air for rehearsal.
They were all artificial.
It could not be helped. It was mid-July, the height of summer, and real cherry blossoms were impossible. Still, since Boy Friend was set in spring, the production had to recreate that atmosphere as closely as possible.
"Director, how does it look?"
"Not bad. Let's shoot one and see."
"Should we attach petals to the trees in the back?"
"Then we'd have to redo the entire background. That would push filming into the night, and cleanup would be another issue. We'll rely on CG for most of it."
"Understood."
Thanks to the generous budget provided by Netflix, extensive use of special effects was not a concern.
While the staff focused on preparing the background—
"..."
Kang Woojin sat quietly in the shade of a tree.
With one leg crossed over the other, he looked down at the script with an indifferent expression. He wore a white shirt and light blue jeans, styled to match spring despite the summer heat, and his hair was neatly arranged.
He appeared calm. Almost too calm.
Staff passing by could not help commenting.
"Isn't this his first romantic comedy? He's really steady."
"I heard from the Director that he's always like that. He doesn't get easily shaken."
"Still… there's a kiss scene, right? And it got revised to be pretty intense."
"Exactly. If it were me, I wouldn't be able to sit still."
But the reality was different.
'Wait… no.'
Kang Woojin was forcing himself to stay calm.
'I feel like I'm going to die. This is terrifying.'
His heart pounded violently, and his stomach churned.
The moment had finally arrived.
He had been cast in Boy Friend for that fresh kiss scene, and now he had to face the reality of filming it with Hwarin, a top star and idol.
The kiss scene was approaching.
'Is this real? Are we actually doing this? This feels unreal.'
He kept his expression blank, but inside, everything felt unstable.
Around him, everything moved steadily toward that moment. Cameras were set, lights adjusted, wind machines tested, petals gathered, and sound equipment checked. Onlookers continued to gather in the distance.
He did not know how to describe what he was feeling.
'I think I'm losing it.'
His fingertips trembled slightly.
Just a few months ago, she had only existed on screens or in imagination. Now he was about to film a kiss scene with her.
He had known something like this might happen.
Still, deep down—
'I hoped this day wouldn't come.'
'But I really made it.'
It was only acting.
Even so, this moment would remain a meaningful part of his life.
At least, it felt that way.
Hic.
Someone tapped his shoulder lightly.
Startled, Woojin turned his head and saw Choi Sunggeon standing there, his hair tied back. Behind him were his team members, including Kim Daeyoung.
They had come to support him.
Choi Sunggeon smiled.
"I came to ask how you're feeling, but judging by your face, you don't look great."
'My heart feels like it's about to stop.'
But Woojin simply replied,
"It's just acting."
"Haha, right. Acting. We're heading in ten minutes."
"Yes, CEO."
Choi Sunggeon left, followed by the others.
Kim Daeyoung lingered.
He leaned closer and whispered,
"Hey, Woojin."
"I'm seriously jealous."
Woojin replied without looking up.
"Shut up. My heart's about to explode."
"Still jealous. Extremely jealous."
After a brief pause, Kim Daeyoung handed him something.
A small bottle of mouthwash.
"I saw this while buying snacks. Thought it might help. Gargle properly before going in."
"...Alright."
Kim Daeyoung left soon after.
Woojin silently opened the bottle and rinsed his mouth several times.
Meanwhile—
"Hwarin, this looks like a good spot. Before going into Lee Bomin, it'd be nice to take in the cherry blossoms here."
"Yes, Director."
Wearing a blue jacket, Hwarin rehearsed comfortably with Director Shin. Her makeup was slightly stronger than in the school scenes, and her long hair fell naturally.
The Director spoke carefully.
"Are you alright? I adjusted the tone a bit, but if it feels too intense, we can dial it back."
Hwarin answered without hesitation.
"I'm fine. It's just acting."
A small smile appeared on her face, easing the Director's concern.
"That's good. If anything feels off, let me know immediately."
"Yes."
In truth, she had already prepared herself for this moment.
Since the script reading.
Seeing Kang Woojin, someone she admired, had made her heart race uncontrollably.
'I'm better now. Less sensitive than before. I can do this. It's just acting.'
If she was going to do it, she would do it perfectly.
Her resolve became firm.
Soon—
"Alright! We start filming in five minutes!"
At the Director's call, the staff moved faster. Woojin's gargling became quicker as well. Hwarin joined in, using mouthwash too, then applied strawberry lip balm and lightly sprayed perfume.
Then—
"Extras, please take your positions!"
The background filled with people.
Not long after, Kang Woojin and Hwarin stood facing each other in front of the camera.
A faint awkwardness lingered between them.
Woojin spoke first.
"...Please take care of me."
Hwarin smiled as she brushed her hair back.
"Yes. Please take care of me too, Woojin 씨."
A strange, ticklish feeling rose within him.
But there was no turning back.
He let out a quiet breath.
Hoo—
Han Inho awakened within him.
The emotions of youth spread through his entire body, and the version of Han Inho carved into him took full control.
At the same time—
"Turn on the wind machines!"
"Ready!"
"Petals!"
"Go!"
The slate clapped.
"Action!"
Lee Bomin ran toward the trees with bright eyes. She looked excited, jumping lightly as she tried to catch the falling petals.
Han Inho watched her calmly.
The camera captured his profile.
Countless thoughts passed through his face. Why did I come here? Still, it's worth seeing. Annoying. Is she seriously having fun by herself? She's kind of cute. I want to go home. There was no dialogue, yet his blinking, expression, and stillness conveyed everything.
Then—
"Hey! Han Inho!"
Lee Bomin ran over with petals gathered in her hands.
"Look at this."
She held them up to his face.
He let out a low sigh.
"What."
"Smell it."
"I don't smell anything."
"Like this. Closer."
"Go away. Your breath stinks."
"Want to die?"
She warned him lightly, making it clear she would sulk if he refused.
Han Inho reluctantly leaned closer. Their faces drew near, only a short distance apart.
In that moment, a faint scent reached him.
It was not the cherry blossoms.
It was her.
His heart began to pound violently.
Everything blurred, and all he could hear was the sound of his own heartbeat.
Then Han Inho met Lee Bomin's eyes.
They were close enough for him to feel her breath.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
Their gazes locked, but the emotions within them were different. Han Inho's gaze deepened first, unable to hold back any longer.
He slowly leaned closer.
The petals in her hand brushed softly against his cheek as the distance between them closed.
Then, his lips met hers.
It was soft and warm.
For a brief moment, everything seemed to stop, leaving only the faint softness against his lips and the subtle scent lingering between them.
Then—
"Kh-heup!"
Hwarin suddenly hiccupped in surprise.
The sound was louder than expected, and Kang Woojin instinctively flinched.
'What was that? Was that an ad-lib?'