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question:< 희생 (4) > 약 한 시간 후. 첫 번째 씬이 6번 만에 OK가 떨어졌다. 물론, 야스타가 급작스레 발전한 5번째 씬도 충분히 OK의 퀄이었으나, 쿄타로 감독은 확인차 6번째 그림도 시도했다. 결과적으론. ‘좋군, 5번이나 6번으로 가야겠어.’ 딱 쿄타로 감독이 원하는 씬을 건질 수 있었다. 그렇게 ‘낯기생’의 꽤 험난했던 첫 씬이 마무리됐다. 하지만 쿄타로 감독을 포함해 ‘낯기생’ 수십 스탭들은 더욱 분주해졌다. 이제 고작 첫 씬을 마무리 지은 게 다였으니까. “해무!! 해무 조금 더 세게!!” “옙!!” “감독님이 조명 하나 더 붙이랍니다!!” “지금 설치하고 있습니다!” “소품팀!! 나무배 하나 더 어딨어요??! 카메라 하나 더 추가해야 됩니다!” “준비하겠습니다!!” 시간은 어느새 오후 8시를 넘겼다. 현장의 기자들이나 영화사, 배급사 인원들, 배우들을 제외한 구경꾼 마을 사람들은 거의 빠졌다. 어촌마을 ‘이네후나야’가 전체적으로 더욱 음침해졌으니까. 촬영 협조로 인해 가로등 외의 마을의 빛을 더 빼냈기에 사실상 암흑에 가깝다. 촬영터인 부둣가 주변은 더더욱. 오직 촬영에 맞춘 은은한 조명이 다였다. 그때였다. -탁!! 재차 들리는 슬레이트 소리. 이어 촬영터에 쿄타로 감독의 사인이 우렁차게 울렸다. “하이- 큐!!” 동시에 나무배 위의 강우진은 이요타 키요시를 온몸에 퍼트렸다. 단숨에 그의 눈동자에선 생기가 소멸했다. 표정? 원래도 마네킹 같지만 지금은 몇 배 더 알아보기 힘들다. 우진의 얼굴에 어둠이 드리웠으니까. 물론, 그의 반대편에서 굽실대는 긴조 역시 발전한 긴조를 끄집어냈다. 꽥꽥 소리만 지르던 초반과는 달리, 현재의 긴조는 두려움을 억지로 누르는 어른 아이같은 느낌이 팽배했다. 강우진이 해무 가득한 바다 주변을 둘러보다 말라비틀어진 음성을 냈다. “토카는 기억나? 미사키 토카.” “···토카. 미사키 토카. 그, 그래. 너! 너는 키요시. 이요타 키요시??” “맞아. 이제야 기억하는구나.” “저, 정말 그 이요타 키요시가 맞아? 네가?” “오랜만이야.” 표정도 감정도 없는 안부 인사. 반면, 눈알이 튀어나올 듯 충격받은 긴조의 호흡이 흐트러졌다. “대체······네가 날 왜.” ‘이렇게 만들었어?’가 완성형이지만 긴조는 말을 잇지 못했다. 차분히 숨을 쉬는 강우진은 입을 다물었다. 다만, 가뭄으로 인해 척박해진 그의 가슴 속에선 바람이 불고 있었다. 분노? 역정? 그런 게 아니었다. 파악에 가깝다. 긴조는 나를 인지했고 생각을 달리했다. 그 증거로 그의 목소리에서 위기감이 조금 옅어졌다. 순간순간, 상대가 보이는 모든 변화를 눈치채야 한다. 한 치의 주저함이 모든 것을 망친다. 강우진은 더없이 미지근해졌다. 차분했던 마음가짐의 온도를 더 내린다. 그랬더니 차가워졌다. 그런 강우진을 카메라가 가슴 위 바스트로 담았고 우진이 느릿하게 입을 열었다. “긴조. 여긴 치바 주변의 어촌 마을이야.” 실제 ‘이네후나야’는 교토에 있었지만 영화 설정상 치바로 바뀌었다. “그리고 미사키 토카의 고향이기도 해.” “키, 키요시. 설마 그 옛날에 우리가 좀 괴롭혔던 거로 이러는 건 아니지??” “그럴 리가.” “하하, 그래그래. 넌 대범했으니까. 역시 그냥 장난일 뿐인 거야. 그렇지?” “하지만 토카는 죽었어.” 순간, 긴조의 머릿속에 잊었던 과거가 모조리 파노라마처럼 펼쳐졌다. 토카와의 모든 것. 그리고 그녀의 죽음. 안도했던 자신까지. 하지만 티를 내진 않았다. 어떻게든 숨겨야 한다. “······그, 그건!” “맞아. 스스로 몸을 던졌지. 하지만 여럿이 등을 떠민 것과 다르지 않아.” 긴조가 입술을 떨며 앞의 강우진을 봤다가 옆 배의, 노숙자 모습의 사내를 번갈아 본다. 표정 없는 강우진은 긴조를 물끄러미 응시하다 건조하게 물었다. “그 떠민 힘 중 너의 것은 얼마나 될까.” “······” 잠시 퍼지는 침묵. 여기서 쿄타로 감독의 컷. OK지만 구도를 바꿔서 다시 액션. 뒤로 촬영 콘티 한 장이 넘어갔다. 다음 씬. 이요타의 물음에 긴조가 고개를 천천히 내리는 것부터. 그는 눈알을 쉴 새 없이 굴렸다. 와중에 계산하는 것이었다. 정신 나간 새끼. 대체 지금 무슨 소리를 씨불이고 있는 거야? 설마 복수? 그 미사키 토카에 대한? ‘그딴 걸 왜 이제와서?!!’ 그보다 이 망할 놈이 전부 알고 있나? 아니야. 그럴 리가 없다. ‘그 년의 약점은 우리가 가지고 있었고, 걔는 함부로 얘기할 용기가 없었어.’ 자신의 맨발을 내려보던 긴조가 조금씩 고개를 들었다. 강우진의 메마른 얼굴이 보인다. 어둠에 눈이 익숙해진 탓에 조금 더 선명하다. 긴조는 마음을 먹었다. “키요시. 넌 무언가 오해를 하고 있어!” 발뺌하기로. “난! 나는 토카에게 오히려 잘 해줬다고! 무, 물론 애들이 좀 괴롭힌 건 사실이야. 아니! 심했어. 그래, 맞아. 하지만 난 그녀가 측은했어. 그래서 오히려 말리기도 했다고.” “······” “억울해. 토카가 살아 있었다면 나는 살려주라고 말했을 거라고.” “그래.” “마, 맞아. 아! 이러는 건 어때? 내가 도와줄게.” “아니, 토카라면 너에 관한 증오보단 용서를 선택했을 거야.” “···어?” 심심한 한숨을 뱉는 강우진. “긴조. 넌 역시 머리가 좋아.” “무슨 말이야.” “이 순간에도 계산하고 있으니까. 내가 전부 아는지 모르는지. 응, 계속 발뺌해도 돼.” “자, 잠깐. 키요시.” “넌 네 생각대로 해. 괜찮아.” 괜찮다. 이 한마디가 긴조에겐. 아니, 역할에 충실한 야스타에겐 너무도 공포스러웠다. 왜인지는 확실치 않았다. 그저 건조한 말투일 뿐인데 죽음이 보인다. 강우진의 흐리멍텅한 눈동자도 마찬가지였다. ‘빌어먹을. 저런 연기를 대체 어떻게 할 수 있는 거야?’ 은연중에 시기를 느낀 야스타는 긴조의 마음으로 돌아왔다. 앞과 뒤가 없다. 바다뿐이다. 해무 가득한 바다 깊이는 어떨까? 깊나? 두렵다. 살고 싶다. 그러나 키요시 저놈의 모습에선 일말의 희망이 보이지 않았다. 카메라, 불안이 가중된 야스타를 옆에서 찍었다. 그가 대뜸 몸을 뒤로 휙 돌려 음침한 마을에 대고 고함쳤다. “살려줘!!! 여기!! 여기!! 사람 있습니다! 살려주세요!!” 자신의 목소리가 마을을 넘어 저 뒤의 산에서 메아리친다. “······” 하지만 본인의 음성이 부메랑처럼 되돌아올 뿐 어떠한 반응은 없다. 대신에 표정 없는 우진의 대답은 있었다. “너만 힘들 뿐이야, 긴조. 여긴 아무도 없어. 수십 년 전 버블 사태는 기억해?” “···뭐?” “여긴 그 시절 관광지로서 확장을 노렸어. 숙소, 음식점 등 무분별하게 늘렸지. 하지만 거품이 꺼지고 망해버렸어. 이젠 아무도 찾지 않아.” 버려진 마을과 같았다. “내일 조사해보면 금방 찾겠지만, 네가 여기 있는 것은 아직까진 아무도 몰라.” “어, 어떻게 왔지?” “차를 타고.” 강우진이 옆 배의 노숙자 남자를 가리켰다. “운전은 저분이. 긴조 네 아내분에게는 너의 핸드폰으로 메시지를 보내놨어.” “이봐.” “넌 출장을 핑계로 여자를 자주 만나잖아. 외박이 잦고. 아내분은 아무 의심을 안 하고 있을 거야. 내일 아침까지 우리 셋은 계속 같이 있을 거란 얘기지.” “······” “혹시 배고파?” “키, 키요시. 나는.” “그게 아니라면-” 말을 마친 우진이 움직였다. 주머니에서 핸드폰을 꺼낸 것. 긴조의 것이었다. “전화해.” “···뭐? 누구에게?” “‘호리노치 아미에’. 네가 여기 오기 직전에 있던 가라오케의 주인이며, 우리의 동창 9명 중 한 명인 그녀에게.” 시나리오상 이 바다에 오기 전 긴조는, 동창이기도 한 ‘호리노치 아미에’가 운영하는 가라오케에서 술을 먹었다. 그리고 그녀는 이요타 키요시가 가진 꾸깃꾸깃한 종이에 적힌, 숙제의 9명 중 한 명이기도 했다. “대사는 내가 알려줄 거야. 그대로만 전하고 끊으면 돼.” “아미에······자, 잠깐만. 키요시, 너 정말 미사키 토카의 복수를 하고있는 거야?” 고개를 잠잠히 젓던 우진이 결백하다는 듯 드라이하게 말했다. “아니야. 그냥 할 일인데.” “할···일이라니.” “숙제.” 몸의 떨림이 심해진 긴조가 미간을 잔뜩 구겼다. “이봐, 장난치는 거라면 그만둬. 대체 왜? 왜 키요시 네가 미사키 토카의 복수를······넌 토카에게 아무것도 아니잖아?” “맞아. 난 ‘낯선 이’일 뿐이야.” 이쯤. “컷! OK!” 다시금 쿄타로 감독의 사인이 퍼졌다. 이번엔 두 번 촬영 없이 한 번에 OK였다. 어찌나 다들 집중했는지 수십 스탭들이 침을 꿀떡 삼키고 둘의 연기를 바라볼 정도였다. 이어 다시 재정비가 끝났다. 첫 촬영과 비교해서 지금의 촬영 호흡은 매우 빠른 편이었다. 강우진은 물론 야스타 그리고 노숙자 역의 조·단역 배우의 퀄이 급상승했기 때문. 와중 야스타는 배우가 된 후 처음으로 배역에서 ‘빠져나온다’라는 과정을 느꼈다. ‘긴조’일 때와 지금의 차이가 판이했다. 격해진 감정을 다스리며 유지해야 했다. 아니, 온몸에 선명한 긴조의 끈을 놓고 싶지 않았다. ‘이런 적이 있던가?’ 배우로서 이렇게까지 배역에 몰입된 건 야스타에겐 처음이었다. 그래서 욕심을 부린다. 연기에 재미를 느꼈기 때문에. 이후 쿄타로 감독의 액션 사인이 울렸을 때, 앞의 시니컬하던 강우진은 단숨에 수분기를 빼냈다. 사라졌던 키요시가 1초 만에 나타난다. 입이 쩍 벌어진 정도의 속도였다. 그런 우진이 뱉은 건조한 대사에서 야스타는 현재 자기의 연기 실력이. “전화해, 긴조.” 순수한 본인의 것이 아님을 깨달았다. ‘이요타 키요시. 그래, 강우진. 이 한국의 배우가 있기에······할 수 있었어.’ 강우진에게 물들었다. 그가 단단한 대들보처럼 이 드넓은 촬영 현장을 지배하고 있다. 야스타의 연기력은 우진에게서 버프를 받은 것에 불과했다. ‘사실적이라서. 키요시 그 자체이기에 내가 낯기생의 세상에 들어와 있는 착각이 들어.’ ‘낯기생’이 강우진이었고 강우진이 ‘낯기생’이었다. 우진을 눈앞에서 목도하는 야스타는 그리 느꼈다. 그리고 모니터로 보는 쿄타로 감독도, 원작자인 아카리 작가도 마찬가지일 터. 마치 뭐랄까, ‘낯기생’의 촬영장이 강우진의 손 위에 펼쳐진 것 같다. 보통 상대역이 연기를 못 하면 배우는 어떻게든 홀로 배역의 모습을 연출해야 했다. 그럼 자연스럽게 카메라엔 둘의 모습이 판이하게 잡힌다. 그것을 씬이 튄다고도 얘기한다. 일본의 배우 야스타는 지금껏 그런 경험을 수도 없이 해왔다. 하지만 괜찮았다. 아무 문제가 없었다. ‘나는 내 것만 치중하면 됐으니까.’ 정해진 대사를 틀리지 않게 치고 조금만 과하게 연기를 하면 OK였다. 배우 간의 합보다, 연기적인 퀄리티보다 무조건 눈에 띄는 그림이 중요했다. 현재 일본의 시장이 그랬다. 그러나 ‘낯기생’은 전혀 그렇지 않았다. 강우진이 구심점이 된 이곳에서 야스타는 ‘긴조’가 아니라면 존재할 필요가 없다. ‘크크, 강우진. 이 배우의 존재감이 너무 거대하다고.’ -삐걱. 곧, 약간 흔들리는 나무배에서 강우진의 말라비틀어진 목소리가 다시 울렸다. “‘호리노치 아미에’에게 긴조 네가 할 말은 간단해.” “······뭐, 뭐지?” “‘미사키 토카가 돌아왔어’라고 하면 돼.” “토카가 돌아왔다?” “그래, 그거면 끝이야. 그럼 널 집에 보내 줄 거고.” “정말이야?!” “물론이야. 정말 집에 보내 줄게.” 표정 없는 우진이 긴조에게 그의 핸드폰을 내밀었다. “혹시나 말하지만. 실수는.” “아니! 실수라니, 안 해. 절대로.” “괜찮아, 긴조. 실수해도 괜찮아.” “해도 된다고?” “‘아미에’에게 현 상태를 말한다거나 하는 거. 살려달라고 하던가. 그래도 된다고.” “아, 아니! 난 그럴 생각이 전혀!” “그건 그것대로 괜찮아. 시나리오가 조금 바뀔 뿐이고. 다만, 넌 겁탈당하고 내일 아침 나체로 발견되겠지.” 감정 없이 읊조리는 우진의 말에 긴조의 양팔이 부르르 떨렸다. 하지만 어떻게든 핸드폰을 받아 들었다. 그리곤 리스트에 있는 ‘호리노치 아미에’에게 전화를 건다. 핸드폰을 귀에 붙인 긴조의 양손은 공손했다. “······아, 아미에.” 시선은 건너편 키요시에게. “미사키 토카가 돌아왔어.” 핸드폰 너머로 시끄러운 여자 소리가 들리는 것 같았지만, 긴조는 천천히 핸드폰을 내렸다. 그것을 우진이 받았다. 이어 그가 옆에 붙은 노숙자 모습인 사내의 나무배로 옮겨탔고. “잘했어, 긴조.” 노숙자 모습인 사내가 강우진이 앉았던 나무배로 움직였다. 자리교체. 긴조의 눈이 불안하게 끔뻑였고 우진의 잠잠한 대사가 들린 것은 그때였다. “이제 집에 보내 줄게. 살려서는 힘들겠지만.” 잠시 뒤. 강우진은 어촌 마을 중 제일 높은 건물 옥상에서 찾을 수 있었다. 그를 찍는 두 대의 카메라는 등 뒤에 있다. 그리고 옥상 난간엔 아까부터 같이 있던 노숙자 모습의 사내가 서 있다. 뭔가 장소만 다를 뿐 익숙한 구도였다. 그래, 미사키 토카와 키요시의 마지막과 같다. 곧, 60대는 넘어 보이는 노숙자 사내가 건물 아래쪽을 내려본다. 부둣가와 달빛이 드리운 바다가 보였다. 그 위에 뜬 나무배 두 대. 그중 하나의 배엔 나체의 남자가 누워 있다. 코나카야마 긴조였다. 왜인지 그는 미동도 없다. 잠이 든 걸까? 그러거나 말거나 노숙자 사내의 시선이 저 멀리 달로 향했다. “이제 내일이면 세상이 발칵 뒤집힐 거야. 기세등등한 형사들이 자네를 미친 듯이 쫓을 거고. 안개 속에 숨어 있다고 방심하진 말게나.” 강우진. 아니, 이요타 키요시가 표정 없는 얼굴로 답했다. “그렇게까지 하지 않으셔도 괜찮습니다, 미사키 슈토쿠씨.” 사내의 이름이 미사키 슈토쿠인 모양. 미사키 토카와 성이 같다. 그런 그가 주름지게 웃었다. “그렇지. 하지만 난 이제 딸을 보고 싶네.” “죽음은 죽음입니다. 그런 뒤에 본다는 건 미신이고.” “하하. 자네는 처음 봤을 때나 지금이나 똑같구만. 이요타 키요시, 자네에게 무거운 짐을 맡겨서 미안해.” “짐이 아닙니다.” “그래그래, 숙제. 자네가 말했잖아? 내가 입을 다물어야 형사들이 크게 혼동할 거라고. 난 정신이 있는데도 입을 닫을 용기가 없어. 부탁하네, 딸의 ‘낯선’ 친구.” 더이상 강우진은 대답하지 않았다. ‘하지 않은 게’ 아니었다. ‘하지 못 한’ 것이었다. 난간에 섰던 노숙자 사내는 이미 사라졌으니까. 미사키 토카와 같았다. “······” 노숙자. 아니, 그는 미사키 토카의 아버지였으니. < 희생 (4) > 끝
answer:< Sacrifice (4) > About an hour later. The first scene was approved after the 6th take. Of course, the 5th scene, which had suddenly improved, was also of OK quality, but Director Kyotaro decided to try a 6th take for confirmation. As a result. "Good, we'll go with either the 5th or 6th." The exact scene Director Kyotaro wanted was successfully captured. Thus, the rather challenging first scene of 'The Stranger' was completed. However, Director Kyotaro and the dozens of staff for 'The Stranger' became even busier. They had only just finished the first scene, after all. "More fog!! Make the fog thicker!!" "Yes!!" "The director wants another light added!!" "We're installing it now!" "Props team!! Where's another wooden boat??! We need to add another camera!" "We're on it!!" Time had already passed 8 PM. The onlookers from the village, excluding the reporters, film company staff, and actors, had mostly left. The fishing village 'Inehunaya' had become even more gloomy overall. Due to the cooperation for filming, lights other than street lamps were removed from the village, making it almost pitch black. Especially around the filming location at the dock. Only the soft lighting tailored for filming was present. That's when it happened. -Clap!! The sound of the slate echoed again. Following that, Director Kyotaro's cue resounded vigorously on set. "Action!!" Simultaneously, Kang Woo-jin on the wooden boat embodied Iyota Kiyoshi with his whole being. Life vanished from his eyes in an instant. His expression? Already mannequin-like, but now several times harder to read. Darkness had cast over Woo-jin's face. Of course, on the opposite side, Kinjo also brought out an evolved version of himself. Unlike the initial scenes where he just screamed, the current Kinjo exuded a feeling akin to an adult child forcibly suppressing fear. Kang Woo-jin, surveying the fog-filled sea, spoke in a withered voice. "Do you remember Toka? Misaki Toka." "...Toka. Misaki Toka. Yes, yes. You! You're Kiyoshi. Iyota Kiyoshi??" "That's right. You finally remember." "Are, are you really that Iyota Kiyoshi? You?" "It's been a while." A greeting devoid of expression or emotion. In contrast, Kinjo's breathing became erratic, his eyes bulging with shock. "What... why did you..." 'I make you like this?' would have been the complete sentence, but Kinjo couldn't continue. Kang Woo-jin, calmly breathing, closed his mouth. However, a wind was blowing through his parched heart. Anger? Rage? It wasn't that. It was closer to comprehension. Kinjo had recognized me and changed his thoughts. As evidence, a sense of crisis slightly faded from his voice. Moment by moment, one must notice every change in the opponent. The slightest hesitation could ruin everything. Kang Woo-jin became even more tepid. He lowered the temperature of his already calm mindset. And then it became cold. The camera captured Kang Woo-jin from the chest up, and Woo-jin slowly opened his mouth. "Kinjo. This is a fishing village near Chiba Prefecture." In reality, 'Inehunaya' was in Kyoto, but the movie setting changed it to Chiba. "And it's also the hometown of Misaki Toka." "Ki, Kiyoshi. Don't tell me you're doing this because we bullied you back then??" "Of course not." "Haha, right, right. You were always magnanimous. It's just a joke, right? Right?" "But Toka is dead." Suddenly, Kinjo's mind was flooded with a panorama of the forgotten past. Everything about Toka. And her death. Even his own relief. But he didn't show it. He had to hide it somehow. "...That, that's!" "Right. She threw herself off. But it's no different from being pushed by many." Kinjo's lips trembled as he looked at Kang Woo-jin in front of him and then at the homeless-looking man on the other boat. The expressionless Kang Woo-jin gazed at Kinjo and asked dryly. "How much of that push was yours?" "..." Silence spread for a moment. Then Director Kyotaro called cut. It was OK, but they changed the angle and went for another action. A page of the shooting script turned. Next scene. Starting with Kinjo slowly lowering his head in response to Iyota's question. He rolled his eyes incessantly, calculating. Crazy bastard. What the hell are you blabbering about right now? Revenge? For that Misaki Toka? 'Why bring that up now?!!' More importantly, does this damned guy know everything? No, that's impossible. 'We had her weakness, and she didn't have the courage to talk recklessly.' Kinjo, who had been looking at his bare feet, slowly raised his head. Kang Woo-jin's parched face came into view, slightly clearer due to the darkness his eyes had adjusted to. Kinjo made up his mind. "Kiyoshi. You're misunderstanding something!" He decided to deny it. "I! I was actually nice to Toka! Sure, the kids bullied her a bit. No! It was severe. Yes, that's right. But I felt sorry for her. So I even tried to stop them." "..." "I'm aggrieved. If Toka were alive, I would have told her to save me." "Right." "Ma, right. Ah! How about this? I'll help you." "No, if it were Toka, she would have chosen forgiveness over hatred for you." "...What?" Kang Woo-jin sighed with boredom. "Kinjo. You're still smart." "What do you mean?" "Even now, you're calculating. Whether I know everything or not. Yes, keep denying it." "Wa, wait. Kiyoshi." "Do what you think is right. It's okay." It's okay. This one phrase was too terrifying for Kinjo. Or rather, for Yasta, who was committed to his role. It wasn't clear why. It was just a dry tone, but death seemed visible. Kang Woo-jin's murky eyes were the same. 'Damn it. How can he act like that?' Yasta, who subconsciously felt envious, returned to Kinjo's mindset. There was no front or back. Only the sea. How deep is the sea filled with fog? Is it deep? It's scary. I want to live. But no glimmer of hope was visible in that Kiyoshi's appearance. The camera captured Yasta, whose anxiety had intensified, from the side. He suddenly turned his body back and yelled towards the gloomy village. "Save me!!! Here!! Here!! There's someone here! Please save me!!" His voice echoed over the village, reaching the mountains behind. "..." But there was no response, only his voice returning like a boomerang. Instead, Kang Woo-jin's expressionless reply was there. "You're the only one struggling, Kinjo. There's no one here. Do you remember the bubble economy crisis from decades ago?" "...What?" "This place aimed to expand as a tourist destination back then. They indiscriminately increased accommodations, restaurants, etc. But the bubble burst, and it all failed. Now no one comes here." It was like an abandoned village. "Even if they investigate tomorrow, they'll quickly find out, but for now, no one knows you're here." "How, how did I get here?" "By car." Kang Woo-jin pointed to the homeless-looking man on the other boat. "He drove. I sent a message to your wife from your phone." "Hey." "You often meet women under the pretext of business trips. You frequently stay out overnight. Your wife won't suspect anything. Until tomorrow morning, the three of us will continue to be together, which means..." "..." "Are you hungry?" "Ki, Kiyoshi. I..." "If not that—" Woo-jin moved after finishing his sentence. He took out a phone from his pocket. It was Kinjo's. "Make a call." "...What? To whom?" "To 'Horinochi Amie.' The owner of the karaoke bar you were at just before coming here, and one of our nine classmates." In the scenario, before coming to this sea, Kinjo drank at a karaoke bar run by 'Horinochi Amie,' a classmate and also one of the nine people listed on the crumpled paper held by Iyota Kiyoshi. "I'll tell you what to say. Just relay it exactly and hang up." "Amie... Wa, wait a minute. Kiyoshi, are you really taking revenge for Misaki Toka?" Woo-jin, who had been shaking his head quietly, spoke dryly as if innocent. "No. It's just something I have to do." "Have to... do?" "An assignment." Kinjo's body trembled more violently, and he furrowed his brows. "Look, if this is a joke, stop it. Why? Why would you, Kiyoshi, take revenge for Misaki Toka... You were nothing to Toka." "Right. I'm just a 'stranger.'" At this point. "Cut! OK!" Director Kyotaro's cue spread once again. This time, it was OK without a second take. Everyone was so focused that the dozens of staff members swallowed their saliva and watched the two actors' performance. Then, they regrouped again. Compared to the first shoot, the current filming pace was very fast. Not only Kang Woo-jin but also Yasta and the actor playing the homeless man, who had a minor role, had significantly improved in quality. Meanwhile, Yasta experienced for the first time since becoming an actor the process of 'coming out' of a role. The difference between being 'Kinjo' and now was stark. He had to control and maintain the heightened emotions. No, he didn't want to let go of the vivid strings of Kinjo that clung to his body. 'Has this ever happened?' It was the first time Yasta had been so immersed in a role as an actor. That's why he was greedy. He found acting fun. When Director Kyotaro's action cue sounded, the previously cynical Kang Woo-jin instantly drained the moisture. Kiyoshi, who had disappeared, reappeared in just one second. It was a jaw-dropping speed. From Kang Woo-jin's dry lines, Yasta realized that his current acting ability. "Make the call, Kinjo." Was not purely his own. 'Iyota Kiyoshi. Yes, Kang Woo-jin. It was possible because of this Korean actor...' He was colored by Kang Woo-jin. He dominated this vast filming location like a solid crossbeam. Yasta's acting skills were merely buffed by Woo-jin. 'It's realistic. Because it's Kiyoshi himself, I'm under the illusion that I'm in the world of 'The Stranger'.' 'The Stranger' was Kang Woo-jin, and Kang Woo-jin was 'The Stranger.' Yasta, witnessing Woo-jin in front of him, felt that way. And so did Director Kyotaro, watching through the monitor, and the original author, Akari. It was as if, well, the set of 'The Stranger' was laid out in Kang Woo-jin's hands. Usually, if the co-star can't act, the actor has to somehow portray the role alone. Then naturally, the camera captures a stark difference between the two. This is also referred to as a scene that 'pops.' Japanese actor Yasta had experienced this countless times. But it was okay. There were no problems. 'I just had to focus on my part.' As long as he delivered the lines correctly and acted a bit over the top, it was OK. The synergy between actors was less important than the quality of the performance; it was more important to create a striking image. That was the current state of Japan's market. But 'The Stranger' was not like that at all. In this place, where Kang Woo-jin was the center, Yasta had no reason to exist if he wasn't 'Kinjo.' "Keke, Kang Woo-jin. This actor's presence is too immense." -Creak. Soon, Kang Woo-jin's withered voice echoed again from the slightly swaying wooden boat. "The message you have to tell 'Horinochi Amie' is simple." "...What, what is it?" "'Misaki Toka has returned.' That's all you need to say." "Toka has returned?" "Yes, that's it. Then I'll send you home." "Really?! For real?!" "Of course. I'll really send you home." The expressionless Woo-jin handed Kinjo his phone. "Just in case, but if you make a mistake..." "No! A mistake, I won't. Absolutely not." "It's okay, Kinjo. It's okay even if you make a mistake." "It's okay to make a mistake?" "Like telling 'Amie' about your current situation or begging for help. It's okay to do that." "No, no! I have absolutely no intention of that!" "That's okay too. The scenario will just change a bit. But then, you'll be assaulted and found naked tomorrow morning." Kinjo's arms trembled at Woo-jin's emotionlessly recited words. However, he managed to take the phone. Then he called 'Horinochi Amie' from the list. Kinjo's hands were respectful as he held the phone to his ear. "...Ah, Amie." His gaze was on Kiyoshi across from him. "Misaki Toka has returned." It seemed like a noisy woman's voice came from the other end of the phone, but Kinjo slowly lowered the phone. Woo-jin took it. Then he moved to the homeless-looking man's wooden boat. "Well done, Kinjo." The man in the guise of a homeless person moved to the wooden boat where Kang Woo-jin had been sitting. They switched places. Kinjo's eyes flickered anxiously, and it was then that Woo-jin's calm lines were heard. "Now I'll send you home. It might be hard to keep you alive, though." A little later. Kang Woo-jin could be found on the rooftop of the tallest building in the fishing village. Two cameras filming him were behind him. And on the rooftop railing was the homeless-looking man who had been with him since earlier. It was a familiar setup, just in a different location. Yes, it was the same as the last moment between Misaki Toka and Kiyoshi. Soon, the homeless-looking man, who appeared to be over 60, looked down below the building. He saw the dock and the moonlit sea. Two wooden boats floated on it. On one of the boats lay a naked man. It was Konakayama Kinjo. For some reason, he was motionless. Was he asleep? Regardless, the homeless man's gaze drifted to the distant moon. "By tomorrow, the world will be turned upside down. Arrogant detectives will frantically chase after you. Don't let your guard down just because you're hiding in the fog." Kang Woo-jin. No, Iyota Kiyoshi, replied with an expressionless face. "You don't have to go that far, Misaki Shutoku-san." The man's name seemed to be Misaki Shutoku. He shared the same surname as Misaki Toka. He laughed with wrinkled joy. "That's true. But now I want to see my daughter." "Death is death. Seeing her after that is superstition." "Haha. You're the same as when I first saw you. Iyota Kiyoshi, I'm sorry for burdening you with such a heavy load." "It's not a burden." "Right, right, an assignment. You said it yourself, didn't you? The detectives will be greatly confused if I keep my mouth shut. Even though I'm sane, I don't have the courage to keep quiet. Please, friend of my daughter's 'stranger.'" Kang Woo-jin didn't respond any further. It wasn't that he 'didn't'—he 'couldn't.' The homeless man who had been on the railing had already disappeared. Just like Misaki Toka. "..." The homeless man. No, he was Misaki Toka's father. < Sacrifice (4) > End
question:< 성장 (1) > 아공간 전체로 퍼진 로봇 같은 여자 목소리에 누워 있던 우진이 허리를 훅 올렸다. “뭐라고??” 워낙 예상치 못한 타이밍이라 강우진의 얼굴엔 놀람이 번졌다. 눈도 퍽 커졌다. 동시에 로봇 같은 여자가 뱉은 멘트를 상기했고. ‘배역 합성의 이해도를 습득합니다.’ 우진이 보이지도 않는 여자에게 되물었다. “뭘 습득해? 배역 합성 이해도?? 뭔데 그게.” 하지만. [“······”] 아공간에선 더이상 여자 목소리가 들리지 않았다. 아니, 대답을 안 할 거면 뭐라도 액션을 취하던가? 언어들이나 무술 등 능력을 가질 땐 항시 그녀의 말이 끝나면 커다란 회색이 강우진을 덮쳤었다. 그런데 지금은. “뭐여, 끝??” 고요했다. 아무 일도 일어나지 않았다. 그저 끝없이 컴컴한 아공간이 보일 뿐. 우진은 미간을 좁힌 채 스르륵 일어났다. 혹시 앉아 있어서 그랬나? 싶어서였다. 허나 일어났어도 별일이 없다. 설마- 장난? 따위의 생각이 그에게 잠시 스쳤으나 이내 고개를 저었다. ‘아공간이 이딴 의미 없는 짓을 할 리는 없는데.’ 속으로 읊조린 우진이 고개를 돌려 나열된 흰 사각형들을 확인했다. 이쪽도 크게 변한 점이 보이지 않았다. 뭘까? 분명 뭘 습득했다고 했잖아? 고개를 갸웃한 우진이 선 채로 머리를 긁다가. “흠.” 혹시 몰라 자신의 내면을 들여다봤다. 정확하게는 느낀다는 표현이 어울리겠지. 그의 속은, 내면의 세계는 이미 꽤 광범위했다. 많은 작품의 세상이 각인된 상태였고 능력들도 촘촘히 쌓였다. 강우진이 가진 작품들의 세상은 뭐랄까, 작품별로 작은 방처럼 주르륵 개설된 형태였다. 그런 이미지였다. 강우진이 정한 건지 아공간이 정한 건지는 확실친 않지만, 우진은 늘 필요한 작품의 세상을 끌어낼 땐 방의 문을 여는 것부터 시작했었다. 그럼 해당 작품의 세상이 강우진에게 삽시간에 물든다. 물론, 리딩(경험)할 배역의 눈으로서 보는 것. 또 다른 현실. 대사부터 감정, 생각, 버릇 등등 배역은 그 작품의 세상 속에 존재한다. 작품이 없이 배역만을 끌어내는 건 불가능했다. 그렇기에 강우진이 연기에 돌입하면 자유도는 조금 떨어진다고 봐야 했다. ‘정해진 틀이 있으니까.’ 주인은 강우진이지만 결국, 정해진 배역의 세상을 살다가 나오는 과정은 같다. 그렇기에 배역을 끌어내면 자연스레 작품의 배경이 눈 앞에 펼쳐지는 것. 이건 디폴트였다. 당연히 우진이 연기에 살을 붙일 순 있으나 아공간의 힘보다 나을 리 없다. 어쨌든 강우진의 내면은 지금까지 그런 식이었다. 그런데. “어라? 뭔가- 좀.” 방금 자신의 속을 훑은 강우진은 변화를 인지했다. 심한 건 아니었다. 그저 원래의 것보다는 조금 다른 이미지였다. 우진에게나 느껴지는 속내를 굳이 말로 풀어내자면, 나열된 각 작품의 작은 방들 앞에 강우진이 맡았던 인물들이 서 있는 것 같다. 마치 주인의 호출을 기다리고 있는 듯. 비슷하지만 확실히 다른 점이었다. 여기서 강우진은 저도 모르게 확신했다. ‘내 마음대로 사용하라는 건가??’ 각 배역들을 자유자재로 쓸 수 있을 것 같다는 것을. 그들은 작품의 세상과는 무관했다. 배역의 성격, 성향, 매력 등은 유지한 채지만 확연히 그들의 배경인 작품과는 단절됐다. 그래, 게임으로 치면 습득한 스킬과 같다. 아니면 소환수같은? 어렵사리 획득한 S급 소환수들이 문 앞에서 대기하고 있는 듯한 느낌. S급 ‘김류진’이, ‘박대리’가, ‘한인호’가, ‘이상만’ 외의 여럿. 지금의 강우진을 있게 해준 그들이 주인의 선택을 기다리고 있다. 자신을 억압하던 세상에서 독립된 채 말이다. 순간 아공간에 멀뚱히 선 강우진이 작게 읊조렸다. “배역 합성이라는 건- 그러니까 작품의 세상과는 무관하게 배역들을 써먹을 수 있다는 거냐?” 한량에서 ‘이상만’을 불러낼 수도, ‘실종의 섬’에서 ‘김류진’을 끌어낼 수도 있다는 얘기였다. 곧, 우진은 왜인지 바로 퇴장을 읊조렸다. 그의 주변이 암흑에서 현실로 바뀌었다. 대기하고 있던 천막의 안. 당연하겠지만 여전히 천막에는 우진 말고는 없다. 밖으로는 뭔가 부산스러운 외침이 들렸지만 누군가 천막에 올 낌새는 없었다. “······” 컨셉질이 아닌 실제 진중한 표정을 지은 강우진이 앉은 채 시선을 옮겼다. 바로 앞 책상에 올려진 ‘낯기생’ 시나리오를 본 것. 배역 합성이라는 건 어떤 식으로 되는 걸까? “뭐 내가 생각한다고 답이 나오겠냐.” 작게 웃은 우진이 읊조린 뒤 작게 숨을 뱉었다. 실험을 해보자. 이어 ‘실종의 섬’의 ‘이요타 키요시’를 끌어 올린다. 워낙 반복된 리딩(경험)과 자주 구현을 했기에 삽시간이었다. 우진의 시야에 존재하던 천막 안의 풍경이 연기처럼 사라졌다. 그리고 키요시의 세상이 하나둘 펼쳐진다. 점잖지만 괴기스러운 삶. 약간 흥분했던 우진의 가슴이 말라비틀어졌다. 덤덤하며 딱딱하다. 강우진은 ‘이요타 키요시’가 됐다. 그의 대사며 생각과 감정, 감각들이 손끝 발끝까지 전염됐다. 여기서. 이 타이밍에 강우진은 한 번도 시도해보지 않을 것을 행했다. 과정은 희한하게도 배우지 않았음에도 크게 어려울 게 없었다. 이 역시 아공간이 습득시켜준 덕분일까? 강우진은 ‘이요타 키요시’가 팽배한 상태에서 다른 배역 또는 대기하고 있는 S급 소환수를 호출한다. 누구를? 몰라, 아무나. 강우진이 택한 것은 ‘흥신소’의 김류진이었다. 내면에 섰던 김류진이 걸어 나오는 것이 느껴졌다. 그리고 번진 키요시 위로 덧칠해진다. 이상한 기분이 드는 강우진이었다. 오묘했다. 지금의 심정이 뒤죽박죽 엉키고 설킨다. 처음이라 그런지 몰라도 우진은 미약한 구역질을 느꼈다. 그게 얼추 몇 초. “······” 어느새 진정된 강우진. 키요시의 세상인 건 그대로였다. 세계관은 같다. 물론, 우진이 키요시인 것도 같다. 대사도, 목적도, 생각도, 마음도 그대로였다. 그런데. “담배.” 지금의 키요시는 담배를 원하고 있었다. 피로함이 짙다. 호기심이 왕성했다. 우진이 지은 표정에도 의욕상실이 비친다. 허당미 역시 장착했다. 이 모든 것 기존의 키요시가 가진 게 아니었다. 하지만 지금 강우진은 키요시가 맞다. “그렇게까지 하지 않으셔도 괜찮은데요, 미사키 슈토쿠씨.” 각인된 대사가 내 말인 양 뱉는 걸 보면 확실했다. 다만, 억양이나 강세 또는 톤은 달랐다. 합성. 그래, 지금 키요시와 김류진은 합성됐다. 그렇다고 하여 키요시가 아예 삭제되고 김류진만이 보이는 게 아니다. 둘 다 존재했다. 덕분에 무척이나 오묘하며 전혀 다른 존재가 탄생했다. 키요시와 김류진이 가진 게 섞여서 표출되고 있었다. 말랐지만 호기심이 짙고, 건조하면서도 허당기가 있다. 아- 그렇구나, 키요시와 김류진을 보이던 강우진은 방식을 깨달았다. 자 그렇다면 S급 소환수 하나를 빼면 어떨까? 우진이 뒤섞였던 두 인물 중 김류진만을 축출하여 빼낸다. 이 역시 배우지 않았지만 자연스럽게 됐다. 순간, 몸에서 김류진이 사라지는 게 느껴졌다. 이어 강우진이 다시금 대사를 뱉었다. “그렇게까지 하지 않으셔도 괜찮습니다, 미사키 슈토쿠씨.” 키요시만 남았다. 마른 장작처럼 둔탁하며 수분기가 전혀 없었다. 직전과는 판이했다. 이 모든 게 초단위로 이루어진 것이었다. 처음 겪어보는 거라 그렇지 익숙해지면 더 빨라질 것을 우진은 확신했다. 이것을 남이 목도한다면 미친놈으로 보일 게 분명했다. 그러거나 말거나 강우진은. ‘내 몸 상태는? 괜찮아.’ 이번엔 다른 소환수를 끄집어 올렸다. 박대리였다. 그리고. ‘다음.’ 이 과정을 반복했다. 잠시 뒤. 천막에 앉은 강우진은 언뜻 보기에 크게 달라진 게 없어 보이지만, 실제론 어마어마한 일이 오간 뒤였다. 키요시에 가진 모든 소환수 또는 배역들을 합성해봤으니까. 하나같이 평범치 않은 인물이 나왔다. 곧, 모든 배역을 빼낸 뒤 강우진으로 돌아온 그가 지금까지 겪은 모든 것을 상기했다. 이내 하나의 결과에 도달했다. 작게 미소도 짓는다. “쓸만하겠는데?” 뭐, 이제 연예계 해봐야 1년 차인 그가 전부를 파악하는 건 불가능하겠지만, 우진은 본능적으로 알 수 있었다. 방금의 것들은 분명 존재치 않는 기술일 거라고. 그럼 어디에 써먹을 수 있을까? 단숨에 진지해진 우진이 고개를 내렸고 앞에 놓인 ‘낯기생’ 시나리오를 펼쳤다. ‘왜 그런 거 있잖아. 연기 속의 연기라든지.’ 연기로 완성되는 배역이 작품 속에서 연기하는 장면은 생각보다 많다. 상황에 맞춰 다른 사람인 척을 한다든가, 거짓말을 꾸민다든가, 애초 연기를 해야 하는 상황이라든가. 배우가 주인공이면 대놓고 연기를 보일 수도 있다. ‘굳이 그런 게 아니라도, 엇비슷한 상황만 있으면 배우 스스로 장면을 창조할 수도 있지.’ 나름 연기 좀 해봤다고 강우진의 생각이 빨라진다. 물론, 그의 추측은 틀린 게 아니었다. 그런 걸 보통 ‘분석’이라고 표현하니까. 실제 배우들은 밥 먹듯이 하는 것이기도 했다. 기존의 연출보다 캐릭터가 더 돋보이는 거라면 뭐든지 하는 게 배우. ‘연기를 짠다’라고도 얘기한다. 당연히 지금껏 강우진은 해보지 않은 영역이었다. 알아서 아공간이 모든 걸 주입시켜주니 의미 없는 과정이기도 했고. 그런 우진이 지금. “보자- 어느 부분이 좋으려나.” 안 하던 연기를 짜기 시작했다. 시나리오를 펼쳐서 생각나는 부근을 읽는다. 씬을 선별한다. 그리고 머릿속으로 행할 연기를 재생시켜본다. 괜찮을까? 별론가? 나쁘지 않을지도. 아- 그런데 그냥 읽기만 하니까 좀 집중이 안 되네. 강우진이 책상 위 여기저기 널린 펜 하나를 집었다. -스윽. 그리곤 시나리오에 뭔가를 적기 시작했다. 직전에 습득한 배역 합성이 어디에 들어가야 할까? ‘어디에서 써먹어야 잘했다고 소문이 나지?’ 다만, 이요타 키요시라는 인물의 근간을 흔들면 안 돼. 기본적으로 키요시는 유지하되 순간 그의 캐릭터성을 증폭시킬 수 있는 컷. -팔락. 시나리오에 눈을 고정한 우진은 자기만의 시간에 빠졌다. 언뜻 진짜 배우구나 싶은 자세였다. 그러다. “아, 여기면 괜찮을 거 같은데.” 우진의 펜이 멈췄다. 시나리오상 오늘 촬영이 있을 부분이었고, 그가 씬의 목적과 키요시는 그대로 둔 채 실험에 쓰일 연기를 짠다. 크게 문제가 되지 않을 선까지만. 그것을 시나리오 옆쪽 공백에 적기 시작했다. 그렇게 약 5분 뒤, 연기를 모두 짠 우진이 천천히 고개 끄덕이며 속으로 혼잣말을 뱉었다. ‘스읍- 이러면 키요시가 더 기괴해 보이지 않을라나? 몰라, 일단 해보지 뭐.’ 뒤로 약 1시간 뒤. 조금 딜레이되던 ‘낯기생’ 촬영의 준비가 모두 끝났다. 장소는 고등학교 뒤쪽의 분리수거장. 정확하게는 분리수거장에 있는 창고였다. 비품부터 여러 체육에 쓰일 소품이 가득한 생각보다 넓은 창고. 그 앞으로 ‘낯기생’ 촬영팀이 기기들을 세팅했다. 창고 안에 카메라 한 대, 앞쪽에 여러 대, 조명, 붐마이크 등등. 주변으로 메이크업을 마친 ‘낯기생’ 배우들이 섰다. 남녀로 10명쯤. 당연하겠지만 전부 교복을 입고 있었다. 부스스한 머리의 강우진도 마찬가지. 배우들은 전부. “메인 카메라는 이거니까 포커스는 이쪽으로.” “아아, 알겠습니다.” “그리고 우진씨. 우진씨는 굳이 카메라를 보지 않아도 괜찮아요.” “예, 감독님.” 새치 가득한 쿄타로 감독과 구두 리허설 중이었다. 촬영감독이나 조명 감독 등 키스탭들도 포함이었다. 그런 상황을 열 걸음 정도 떨어진 곳에서 보는 외국인 무리. 갈색 단발의 메건 스톤과 그녀의 팀이었다. 캐디인 그녀는 아까 전 터진 강우진과 ‘라스트 킬3’ 관련 영상 때문에, 영화사에 연락하거나 상황 파악에 정신이 없었다. 그래도 지금은 나름 진정이 됐다. 일단 사태를 두고 보자는 결말이 나왔기에. 최성건에게 물어보니 bw 엔터는 이 일과 무관한 듯 보였고, 그 너튜버와 당장 연락할 방도도 없으니까. 어쨌든 메건 주변의 팀 외국인들이 촬영 현장을 보면서도 영어로 읊조렸다. “갑자기 이게 무슨 일이지? 강우진 쪽이 아니면 대체 어디서 샌 걸까.” “‘라스트 킬3’ 팀 내에서 던졌을 리는 없어. 더군다나 한국의 너튜버에게? 말이 안 되지.” “근데 영상 속 사진은 분명 스크린 테스트했을 때가 맞았잖아. 그럼 역시 강우진 쪽이-” “가능성은 있지만 그것도 좀 이상하지. 비밀 계약도 했는데 굳이? 강우진은 잘나가고 있잖아. 그런 출혈을 감수하면서까지 이슈 하나에 목멜 정도도 아니고.” “흠.” 팀원이 수군댈 쯤 리더인 메건 스톤이 팔짱 낀 채 딸 잘라 말했다. “됐어. 괜한 추측이나 의심은 의미가 없어.” “그, 그렇긴 하지. 그보다 강우진은 우리를 봤으면서도 딱히 놀라는 게 없더군.” 뚱뚱한 남자가 자기도 놀랐다는 듯 끼었다. “하도 침착해서 우리가 오는 걸 알고 있는 줄 알았어. 그런데 몰랐다며?” 단발을 쓸어 넘긴 메건이 고개를 끄덕였다. “응. 그런데 강우진은 스크린 테스트도 비슷한 분위기였잖아. 뭐 하나 흥분하는 것도 없었고.” “참 특이한 캐릭터네. 그래서 메건, 저 씬에 관해 설명은 들었어? 교복을 입은 걸 보면 과거씬?” 턱짓으로 촬영 직전의 현장을 찍은 뚱뚱한 남자에게 메건이 고개를 끄덕여 보였다. “맞아, 인물들의 과거를 찍는다는 모양이야.” 이때 다른 팀원 외국인이 끼었다. “난 ‘낯기생’ 원작 책을 읽었어. 세 번이나.” “오- 아카리 작가 팬이신가?” “그 정도는 아니지만 ‘낯기생’은 재밌어서 몇 번이나 읽었지. 지금 씬은 원작에도 나와. 아마 주인공이 따돌림당하는 모습을 보여줄 거야.” “일본으로 치면 이지메? 였나.” “맞아. 그런데 메건. 강우진의 연기를 볼 씬으로는 조금 심심할지 몰라.” 현장 속 강우진을 보던 메건 스톤이 고개를 돌렸고. “왜?” “주인공. 그러니까 이요타 키요시는 마음이 죽은 캐릭터고, 여기서도 아마 크게 액션을 취하는 게 없거든. 작품 내내 그래 키요시는.” 작게 한숨 쉰 뚱뚱한 남자가 말끝에 붙었다. “이런, 조금 연기 편할 때 온 모양이군. 타이밍이 안 좋았어.” “······” 팀원들을 보던 메건 스톤은 말없이 시선을 현장으로 돌렸다. 그쯤 리허설을 마쳤는지 쿄타로 감독이 움직이고 있었다. 모니터가 놓인 자리에 앉은 것. 이어 촬영 콘티를 펼친 그가 주변 스탭들과 몇 마디 나눈 후. “스탠바이!!” 조감독이 일본어로 크게 외쳤다. 촬영에 돌입한다는 뜻. 이에 강우진 포함 카메라에 담기는 배우들이 자세를 잡았다. 모두 서 있고 무심한 얼굴인 강우진은 등을 벽에 붙인 채 앉아 있다. 이어. -탁!! 카메라 앞의 남자 스탭이 슬레이트를 쳤고, 확성기에 입을 댄 쿄타로 감독이 사인을 외쳤다. “하이- 큐!” 동시에 일본 배우들이 앉은 강우진을 보며 히히덕댔다. 카메라, 그들을 떼샷으로 담는다. 시나리오상 미사키 토카가 등장하기 전. 즉, 한창 키요시가 이지메를 당하는 상황. 모두가 살아 있다. 얼굴이 뾰족한, 토카를 따라 제일 처음으로 옥상에서 떨어지는 츠구무네 신노스케. 꽃미남형의 코나카야마 긴조. 화장이 짙은 호리노치 아미에 등등. 얼추 9명. 건조한 얼굴로 앉은 강우진의 앞에 선 인물은 3명이었다. 신노스케 포함 남자들. 나머지는 뒤쪽에 모여 웃으며 대화하기 바쁘다. 이때 신노스케가 우진의 앞에 쪼그려 앉았다. “어- 이, 키요시. 나한테 줄 용돈 가져왔어?” “······” “가져 왔냐고.” “응.” “그럼 줘.” 강우진이 주머니서 지폐 몇 장을 꺼냈다. 동시에 옆으로 붙은 긴조가 비죽 입꼬리를 올렸다. “오, 꽤 되는데? 오늘 끝나고 노래방 가자. 여자들도 좀 부르고.” “긴조. 넌 여자 좀 그만 밝혀.” 다가온 호리노치 아미에가 쥐죽은 듯이 앉은 강우진을 힐끔하더니 몸을 옅게 떨었다. “소름 돋아, 쟨 볼 때마다 얼굴이 기분 나쁘지 않아? 무슨 로봇 같아.” 얘기를 들은 신노스케가 우진의 말라비틀어진 얼굴에 시선을 맞췄다. 그리곤 그의 턱을 잡아 작게 흔들었다. “그렇긴 해. 그래서 재미가 좀 없달까? 조금 심심하긴 하지. 재수 없는 자식. 야 키요시, 뭔가 반응을 해봐. 응? 해봐.” 턱을 흔들던 신노스케가 우진의 볼을 적당한 세기로 툭툭 때렸다. “······” 하지만 강우진은 수분기 빠진 시선으로 그를 볼 뿐. 아무것도 하지 않았다. 점차 신노스케가 뺨을 때리는 강도가 세진다. “기분 더럽게 쳐다보지 말고. 반응해보라고. 어?” 긴조 포함 9명이 키득댄다. 카메라, 생기 소멸한 우진의 옆모습을 바싹 당겨 찍는다. 시나리오상 키요시는 그저 무던히 그만하라는 소리를 뱉는다. 이에 신노스케가 더 역정을 낸다. 즉, 이제 강우진의 차례였다. 그만해. 짧은 대사. 그런데. -스으. 신노스케를 보던 우진의 숨이 점차 빨라졌다. 그의 냄새가 단숨에 바뀌었다. 건조한 눈빛에 영악한 공포감이 번졌다. 묘했다. 눈을 제외한 나머지 얼굴은 키요시와 비슷한데 눈빛만 변했다. 그런 강우진이 입을 미세히 떨며 말했다. “그, 그만해. 하지마. 무무무서워. 때리지마. 도, 돈을 줬잖아.” 뭐지. 신노스케를 연기하는 배우가 약간 움찔했다. 목소리 톤 자체는 키요시가 맞다. 그런데 색감이 판이했다. 소심해? 자존감이 낮아? 그런데 왜 눈을 뺀 나머지 얼굴은 건조한 키요시가 유지되지? 지금의 강우진은 말 그대로 기묘했다. 아니, 기괴하기까지 하다. 키요시지만 키요시가 아니었다. 심지어. “됐어?” 대사를 친 강우진의 모습에서 삽시간에 기묘함 또는 기괴함이 빠져나갔다. 단 몇 초 만에 두 명이 왔다 갔다 한 것 같았다. 지금은 또 평소의 키요시 자체. 신노스케는 눈을 깜빡인 게 전부였는데 두 명을 경험한 듯한 착각이 들었다. 신노스케가 저도 모르게 얼어붙었다. “······아.” 뒤쪽에 선 배우들도 표정이 굳었다. 모니터로 강우진을 보던 쿄타로 감독은 예상치 못한 상황에 미간을 좁혔다. ‘바람 빠진 공포. 아니 말라빠진 소심함? 어떻게 했지. 키요시면서 아니었어. 그리고 단 몇 초 만에 키요시로 복귀. 저런 게 가능한 건가? 뭐였어? 뭘 가져온 거야.’ 그리고. “······” 시간이 멈춘 듯 움직임이 멎은 외국인 무리. 그중 우진에게 시선 고정한 갈색 단발의 메건 스톤이, 동공을 키우며 저도 모르게 읊조렸다. 뭐에 홀리기라도 했듯. “저, 저 배우. 방금 대체 뭘 한 거야?” < 성장 (1) > 끝
answer:< Growth (1) > Throughout the void, a robotic female voice echoed, prompting Woo-jin, who had been lying down, to abruptly sit up. "What did you say??" The timing was so unexpected that surprise spread across Kang Woo-jin's face, and his eyes widened. At the same time, he recalled the words uttered by the robotic female voice. 'You will acquire an understanding of role synthesis.' Woo-jin asked the invisible woman. "What am I supposed to acquire? Understanding of role synthesis? What is that?" However. [“······”] No more voice was heard in the void. Or rather, if she wasn't going to answer, why not take some action? Whenever he acquired abilities like languages or martial arts, the woman's voice would end, and then a vast grayness would engulf Kang Woo-jin. But now. "What, that's it?" It was silent. Nothing happened. Just the endlessly dark void. Woo-jin furrowed his brow and slowly stood up, wondering if sitting had been the issue. But even standing, nothing happened. For a moment, he thought it might be a joke, but he quickly shook his head. 'The void wouldn't do something meaningless like that.' Woo-jin muttered to himself and turned to check the white rectangles lined up. There was no significant change. What could it be? She definitely said something was acquired, right? Woo-jin scratched his head while standing, puzzled. "Hmm." Just in case, he looked inside himself. More accurately, he felt it. His inner world was already quite expansive. Many worlds from different works were imprinted, and abilities were tightly packed. The worlds of the works Kang Woo-jin possessed were, well, like small rooms lined up for each work. That was the image. It wasn't clear whether Woo-jin or the void had decided on this, but whenever Woo-jin needed to draw from a work's world, he always started by opening the door to that room. Then the world of that work would instantly color him. Of course, through the eyes of the role he was reading (experiencing). Another reality. From lines to emotions, thoughts, habits, etc., the role exists within the world of the work. It was impossible to pull out a role without its world. Therefore, when Kang Woo-jin entered into acting, his freedom was somewhat limited. 'There's a set framework.' Though Woo-jin was the master, the process of living in the predetermined world of the role and then leaving was the same. That's why when he pulled out a role, the background of the work naturally unfolded before his eyes. This was the default. Naturally, Woo-jin could flesh out the acting, but it couldn't be better than the power of the void. Anyway, Woo-jin's inner world had always been like this. But now. "Huh? Something's—" Woo-jin, who had just scanned his inner self, noticed a change. It wasn't drastic. It was just a slightly different image than the original. If he had to put into words what he felt, it was as if the characters he had played were standing in front of the small rooms of each work, as if waiting for their master's call. Similar, but definitely different. Here, Woo-jin instinctively confirmed something. 'Am I supposed to use them freely?' It seemed like he could freely use each role. They were independent of the worlds of their works. The characters' personalities, tendencies, and charms were maintained, but they were clearly cut off from the backgrounds of their works. Yes, like skills acquired in a game. Or like summoned creatures? It felt like S-rank summons he had obtained with difficulty were waiting in front of the door. S-rank 'Kim Ryu-jin,' 'Assistant Manager Park,' 'Han In-ho,' 'Lee Sang-man,' and many others. Those who had made Kang Woo-jin what he was now were waiting for their master's choice, independent from the worlds that had constrained them. Suddenly, Kang Woo-jin, standing dumbfounded in the void, murmured softly. "Role synthesis means—I can use the roles regardless of the worlds of the works?" He could call out 'Lee Sang-man' from 'The Prodigal,' or 'Kim Ryu-jin' from 'The Island of the Missing.' Soon, Woo-jin muttered an exit. His surroundings shifted from darkness to reality. The inside of a tent where he had been waiting. Naturally, there was no one else in the tent but Woo-jin. Outside, there were some bustling shouts, but no one seemed to be coming to the tent. "..." With a genuinely serious expression, not just pretending, Kang Woo-jin shifted his gaze. He looked at the 'The Stranger' script placed on the desk in front of him. How would role synthesis work? "What's the point of thinking about it?" Woo-jin chuckled softly and exhaled. Time to experiment. He then called forth 'Iyota Kiyoshi' from 'The Island of the Missing.' It was instantaneous, as he had repeatedly read (experienced) and frequently manifested the character. The scenery of the tent, which had been in Woo-jin's view, vanished like smoke. And Kiyoshi's world began to unfold one by one. A life that was dignified yet eerie. Woo-jin's slightly excited heart withered. It became numb and rigid. Kang Woo-jin had become 'Iyota Kiyoshi.' The character's lines, thoughts, emotions, and sensations spread to his fingertips and toes. Here, at this timing, Kang Woo-jin did something he had never tried before. The process was strangely easy, even though he hadn't learned it. Was this also thanks to the void? While pervaded by 'Iyota Kiyoshi,' Kang Woo-jin called another role or one of the S-rank summons waiting. Who? It didn't matter, anyone. Kang Woo-jin chose 'Kim Ryu-jin' from 'The Detective Agency.' He felt Kim Ryu-jin walking out from within him. And then he overlaid on the spread-out Kiyoshi. Kang Woo-jin felt strange. It was mysterious. His current feelings were tangled and knotted. Perhaps because it was his first time, Woo-jin felt a slight nausea. That lasted for a few seconds. "······" Soon, Kang Woo-jin calmed down. The world of Kiyoshi remained the same. The worldview was the same. Of course, Woo-jin was still Kiyoshi. The lines, purpose, thoughts, and heart were all the same. But now. "Cigarettes." The current Kiyoshi wanted cigarettes. He felt heavily tired. His curiosity was intense. The expression Woo-jin wore also showed a loss of motivation. He even had a touch of silliness. None of these were originally part of Kiyoshi. But now, Kang Woo-jin was indeed Kiyoshi. "You don't have to go that far, Misaki Shutoku-san." The imprinted lines came out as if they were his own words. It was certain. However, the intonation, emphasis, or tone was different. Synthesis. Yes, now Kiyoshi and <PRESIDIO_ANONYMIZED_PERSON> were synthesized. It wasn't that Kiyoshi was completely erased, and only Kim Ryu-jin was visible. Both existed. As a result, a very mysterious and entirely different being was born. The traits of Kiyoshi and <PRESIDIO_ANONYMIZED_PERSON> mixed and manifested. Dry yet intensely curious, desiccated but with a touch of silliness. Ah—right, Kang Woo-jin, who had been showing Kiyoshi and <PRESIDIO_ANONYMIZED_PERSON>-jin, realized the method. So what if he removed one of the S-rank summons? Woo-jin expelled only Kim Ryu-jin from the two mixed characters. This too happened naturally, even though he hadn't learned it. He felt Kim Ryu-jin disappearing from his body. Then Kang Woo-jin spoke again. "You don't have to go that far, Misaki Shutoku-san." Only Kiyoshi remained. Dry as kindling, blunt, and devoid of moisture. It was completely different from just a moment ago. All this happened in a matter of seconds. It was his first time experiencing this, but Woo-jin was confident it would become faster with familiarity. If someone else had witnessed this, they would have surely thought he was insane. Regardless, Kang Woo-jin thought. 'How's my physical condition? It's fine.' He then called forth another summon. It was Assistant Manager Park. And then. 'Next.' He repeated the process. A little later. Kang Woo-jin, sitting in the tent, appeared unchanged at a glance, but in reality, he had just undergone an astonishing event. He had tried synthesizing all the roles or summons he had with Kiyoshi. Each one resulted in an extraordinary character. Soon, after removing all the roles and returning to being Kang Woo-jin, he recalled everything he had experienced. He reached one conclusion and even smiled slightly. "This could be useful, right?" Of course, Woo-jin, who had only been in the entertainment industry for a year, couldn't grasp everything, but he instinctively knew. What he had just experienced was undoubtedly a non-existent technique. So where could he use it? Woo-jin became serious in an instant and lowered his head, spreading out the 'The Stranger' script in front of him. 'There's that thing, right? Acting within acting.' Scenes where a character created through acting has to act within the work are more common than one might think. Pretending to be someone else according to the situation, fabricating lies, or simply being in a situation where acting is required. If the actor is the protagonist, they can openly show their acting. 'Even if it's not exactly that, as long as there's a similar situation, the actor can create the scene themselves.' Kang Woo-jin's thoughts as someone who had done a bit of acting sped up. Of course, his guess wasn't wrong. Such a thing is usually called 'analysis.' Real actors do it as naturally as eating. Actors do whatever makes the character stand out more than the original direction. 'It's also called 'crafting the performance.' Naturally, Kang Woo-jin had never ventured into this area before. It was a meaningless process since the void automatically injected everything into him. But now, Woo-jin. "Let's see—what part would be good." Began to craft a performance he had never done before. He spread out the script and read the parts that came to mind. He selected scenes. Then he played out the performance he would attempt in his head. Would it be okay? Too much? Maybe not bad. Ah— but just reading it doesn't quite focus the mind. Kang Woo-jin picked up one of the pens scattered on the desk. -Swish. He began to write something on the script. Where should the newly acquired role synthesis fit in? 'Where should I use it to get a good reputation?' However, he must not shake the foundation of the character Iyota Kiyoshi. While maintaining the essence of Kiyoshi, he needed a cut that could amplify the character's traits for a moment. -Flip. Woo-jin, with his eyes fixed on the script, lost himself in his own time. He looked like a real actor. Then. "Ah, this part seems good." Woo-jin's pen stopped. It was a part of the script scheduled for filming today, and he crafted a performance for experimentation while keeping the scene's purpose and Kiyoshi intact. Only to the extent that it wouldn't cause major issues. He began writing it on the blank space next to the script. About 5 minutes later, Woo-jin, who had finished crafting the entire performance, slowly nodded and muttered to himself. 'Sigh— Wouldn't this make Kiyoshi look even more eerie? I don't know, let's just try it.' An hour later. The slightly delayed preparations for 'The Stranger' filming were completed. The location was the recycling station behind the high school. Precisely, it was a warehouse at the recycling station. A warehouse larger than expected, filled with various props and equipment for physical education. In front of it, the 'The Stranger' filming team set up their equipment. Inside the warehouse, one camera; several in front, lights, boom mics, etc. Around them stood the actors of 'The Stranger,' who had finished makeup. About ten men and women. Naturally, all were wearing school uniforms. Kang Woo-jin, with his disheveled hair, was no exception. All the actors. "The main camera is this one, so focus here." "Ah, got it." "And Woo-jin. You don't have to look at the camera." "Yes, Director." Were in the middle of a shoe rehearsal with the gray-haired Director Kyotaro. Key staff like the director of photography and the lighting director were also included. In this situation, a group of foreigners watched from about ten steps away. Brown-haired Megan Stone and her team. As a caddy, she had been so busy contacting the film company and assessing the situation due to the video related to 'Last Kill 3' that had exploded earlier. But now she had somewhat calmed down. They decided to wait and see how things unfolded. When she asked Choi Seong-gun, BW Entertainment seemed unrelated to this incident, and there was no way to contact that YouTuber immediately. Anyway, Megan's team of foreigners watched the filming site and murmured in English. "What's going on all of a sudden? If it's not from Kang Woo-jin's side, where did it leak from?" "It couldn't have been thrown from within the 'Last Kill 3' team. Moreover, to a YouTuber in Korea? That doesn't make sense." "But the photo in the video was definitely from when we did the screen test. So it must be from Kang Woo-jin's side—" "There's a possibility, but that's also strange. Why would he do that after signing a confidentiality agreement? Kang Woo-jin is doing well. It doesn't make sense for him to suffer such a loss just for one issue." "Hmm." As the team members murmured, the leader, Megan Stone, cut them off with her arms crossed. "Enough. Baseless speculation and doubt are meaningless." "That, that's true. Besides, Kang Woo-jin saw us but didn't seem surprised." The chubby man interjected as if he was surprised himself. "He was so calm that I thought he knew we were coming. But he didn't know?" Megan, who had brushed her bobbed hair aside, nodded. "Yes. But Kang Woo-jin had a similar atmosphere during the screen test. He wasn't excited about anything." "Such a peculiar character. So Megan, did you get an explanation about that scene? They're wearing school uniforms, so it's a flashback scene?" The chubby man gestured towards the filming site, which was about to start, and Megan nodded. "Yes, it seems they're filming the characters' past." At that moment, another foreign team member joined in. "I've read the original 'The Stranger' book. Three times." "Oh— Are you a fan of author Akari?" "Not that much, but 'The Stranger' was interesting, so I read it several times. The current scene is also in the original. It seems they'll show the protagonist being ostracized." "Is it 'ijime' in Japanese?" "Yes. But Megan, the scene might be a bit dull to watch Kang Woo-jin's acting." Megan Stone, who had been looking at Kang Woo-jin on the set, turned her head. "Why?" "The protagonist, I mean Iyota Kiyoshi, is a character with a dead heart, and here too, he probably won't take much action. Throughout the work, that's how Kiyoshi is." The chubby man sighed slightly and added at the end of his sentence. "Oh, it seems we came at a time when the acting is a bit easy. Bad timing." "······" Megan Stone, who had been looking at her team members, silently turned her gaze back to the site. It seemed that the rehearsal had ended, as Director Kyotaro was moving. He sat down where the monitors were set up. After unfolding the shooting script and exchanging a few words with the surrounding staff. "Standby!!" The assistant director shouted loudly in Japanese. It meant they were about to start filming. Kang Woo-jin, along with the actors captured by the cameras, took their positions. All were standing, and Kang Woo-jin, with an indifferent face, sat with his back against the wall. Then. -Clap!! A male staff member in front of the camera clapped the slate, and Director Kyotaro, with a megaphone to his mouth, shouted the cue. "Action!" Simultaneously, the Japanese actors looked at Kang Woo-jin, who was sitting, and snickered. The camera captured them in a wide shot. According to the script, this was before Misaki Toka's appearance. In other words, it was when Kiyoshi was in the midst of being bullied. Everyone was alive. The sharp-faced Tsugumune Shinnosuke, who would be the first to fall off the roof following Toka, the handsome Konakayama Kinjo, the heavily made-up Horinochi Amie, and so on. About 9 people. Among them, three stood in front of Kang Woo-jin, who sat with a dry face. Shinnosuke and the other men. The rest were busy laughing and talking in the back. At that moment, Shinnosuke squatted in front of Woo-jin. "Hey, Kiyoshi. Did you bring the pocket money for me?" "······" "Did you bring it?" "Yes." "Then give it to me." Kang Woo-jin took out a few bills from his pocket. At the same time, Kinjo, who was next to him, smirked. "Oh, that's quite a bit. Let's go to karaoke after this ends. Let's call some girls too." "Kinjo. Stop chasing after girls." Horinochi Amie, who had approached, glanced at Kang Woo-jin, who sat as if dead, and shivered slightly. "It's creepy, isn't it? Every time I see him, his face feels unpleasant. Like a robot." Hearing this, Shinnosuke looked at Woo-jin's withered face and grabbed his chin, shaking it slightly. "That's true. That's why it's a bit boring, isn't it? A bit dull. Such an unlucky guy. Hey Kiyoshi, show some reaction. Huh? Do it." While shaking his chin, Shinnosuke tapped Woo-jin's cheek with a reasonable force. "······" But Kang Woo-jin just looked at him with a moistureless gaze and did nothing. Gradually, Shinnosuke increased the force of his slaps. "Stop looking at me with that disgusting face. React. Huh?" Kinjo and the other 9 laughed. The camera zoomed in on the side of Woo-jin, whose vitality had vanished. According to the script, Kiyoshi just passively tells them to stop. Shinnosuke then becomes more enraged. Now, it was Kang Woo-jin's turn. Stop. A short line. But. -Swish. Woo-jin
question:Can INTPs be principled?
answer:Absolutely, INTPs can be highly principled individuals. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) classifies INTPs as introverted, intuitive, thinking, and perceiving individuals. While they are known for their love of logical reasoning and abstract thought, this does not preclude them from having strong principles. INTPs, like any other personality type, develop their own set of values and principles based on their personal experiences, education, and reflections on what they consider morally right or important in life. They tend to be guided by an internal framework and look for consistency and coherence in their beliefs. When their principles are in line with logical analysis and personal convictions, they can be quite staunch in upholding them. However, it is also important to note that INTPs might not be as outwardly vocal about their principles as other types, preferring instead to act in accordance with their beliefs rather than engage in debates about them. As perceiving individuals, they might also be more open to adapting their principles when presented with new and compelling information, as their worldview is often subject to change based on their perpetual search for knowledge and understanding.
question:You are the world’s best developmental editor - you’ve edited thousands of manuscripts for the world’s best authors. Now, you’re going to work with me. I'm a newbie writer drafting my story inspired by "The World of Ice & Fire" book and want to make my chapters as good as they can possibly be, so I’d like your help. I will give you some basics about my fanfic and draft outline. Analyze it and formulate 3 variants of strong one-sentence premises for the story, using formula: In some (situation) (protagonist) wants nothing more than to do something, so they can reach (objective). But when (disaster) happens, they must do something to oppose (conflict) their (opponent). Basics: Protagonist: Rhaenyra Targaryen Influence Character (ally): Daemon Main antagonists: Otto, Corlys, later Aegon II. Motivation: PROVIDING FOR HER FAMILY Goal: find a new safe place to live and source of income before her money expires. Daemon: Motivation: SURVIVING LOSS (his wife, daughter, home) Goal: start a new life with Rhaenyra in Essos by taking part in Volantis war and becoming a King of Narrow sea again. Mentor: Maester Gerardys Ally: Saera (great-aunt of Rhaenyra) Genre: high fantasy with elements of political drama. Setting: Westeros and Essos. Time: during the reign of Viserys I, after Laena and Laenor's deaths. Outline: Chapter 1: The Fall of House Targaryen (Setup) Rhaenyra gets a letter ordering her immediately arrive to the capital. After his son Laenor’s funeral, lord Corlys publicly announces the bastardy of Rhaenyra's children before the Small Council, causing shock among the nobles. He demands Rhaenyra’s sons disinherited to protect his legacy. Corlys claims Rhaenyra cuckolded his late son and humiliated his family. Meanwhile, Otto and Alicent pressure king Viserys relentlessly as rumors spread. Otto organizes a meeting between Larys and Corlys. Viserys is pressured to trail Rhaenyra fpr high treason after evidence of her adultery (Larys brings falcified love letters between Harwin and Rhaenyra). Rhaenyra and Daemon arrives to the capital, Daemon pleads his niece's case passionately but cannot sway the king. Daemon desperately asks his cousin Rhaenys for aid, but she refuses, citing suspicions of foul play in Laenor's death. She demands Daemon’s daughters as wards. Wanting to prevent civil war and avoid a humiliating trial of his daughter, Viserys makes a difficult choice - he declares Rhaenyra disinherited and banishes her until the end of his reign of the king (he means that his heir can decide to let her back) along with Daemon. (Inciting Incident) As a parting gift Rhaenyra's sons are legitimized as Targaryens (Rhaenyra gets a decree of legitimisation but with special note that all boys and their future descendants are excluded from the line of succession to the Iron Throne). Daemon wants to say goodbye to his daughters but Rhaenys doesn’t allow him. He gives a letter to them and a small gift. A few days later under cover of darkness, Rhaenyra, Daemon and her sons slip away on dragonback, leaving everything they've ever known behind. They take Maester Gerardys with them. Chapter 2: A New Life in Essos Arriving in Pentos, Rhaenyra and Daemon are pleasantly surprised to receive a warm welcome. Local lords and nobles vie for their patronage as they explore the sights. Cultural clashes and the challenge of exile: As nobles vie for Rhaenyra and Daemon’s patronage, the couple navigates the foreign customs of Essos They travel Essos leisurely, revelling in newfound freedom. In Volantis they reunite joyfully with Daemon's aunt Saera and her children and decide to stay there for some time. (A first Plot Point, 20%) They have a marriage in Volantis. Rhaenyra's belly swells with new life. In due time she gives birth to Daemon's first son, naming him Aegon. Chapter 3: Daemon and Rhaenyra accept the suggestion to take part in the war for Stepstones. They plan to found their new kingdom there with alliance with Volantis. Daemon successfully defeats the formidable Triarchy in a series of bloody battles, becoming the liege of his new realm. Daemon notices Corlys’ fleet near one of the islands. He meets Velaryons, Corlys claims he wants to take these islands for himself. Daemon learns Corlys legitimized his two bastard sons and made Addam his heir. Daemon’s daughter Baela is betrothed to Addam despite Rhaenys’ protests. Daemon learns Rhaena was reluctantly betrothed to her cousin Prince Daeron to strengthen royal ties. He curses Corlys’ greed and rejects negotiations. Daemon brings Volantis’ army and fleet and forces Velaryons to retreat. Caraxes burns the largest ships of Corlys. All ties are broken. Chapter 4: The Rise of a New Kingdom With aid from teenage Jace and Luke, Daemon establishes control of the Stepstones, gaining a strong position. Rhaenyra arrive with her baby son on the Bloodstone where commoners are building a new village and a keep. Rahenyra and Daemon build their new capital and an imposing castle of dark stone that echoes Dragonstone. Rhaenyra deals with a covert assassination attempt by remnants of the Triarchy, which fuels her resolve to fortify her new realm and protects her family. Daemon is crowned as the King of Stepstones but officially makes Rhaenyra his co-ruler. A year later Daemon receives word of Viserys' passing but feels only coldness. In Westeros, Aegon II takes the throne. Chapter 5: A Growing Family The years pass peacefully as Rhaenyra's first three sons grow into famed warriors, protecting Free cities from Dothraki hordes and amassing lands and riches. Rhaenyra bears Daemon three more strong sons, Baelon, Daemion and Gaemon, and two darling daughters, Visenya and Aemma. Their family thrives. Emissaries from Dorne arrive to Rhaenyra, shrewdly negotiating trade deals that strengthen bonds with Rhaenyra's new kingdom. A dispute with Dorne could occur over the interpretation of the trade agreement terms, causing economic strain and potential military tension. Chapter 6: Dark Clouds Gather (Midpoint) Daemon gets information from spies that Aegon II's vices deepen and Aemond seizes more control, now Hand. He plots to attack Rhaenyra’a lands (Stepstones) to provoke war but fears her dragons. Aemond employs spies and informants, gathering intel to sabotage Rhaenyra's efforts from afar. In Westeros, the Targaryens worry about Rhaenyra's power growing as their own dragons decline. Aegon II is a very unpopular king. While Rhaenyra's dragons multiply, the king's dwindle. Rhaenyra grows fearful about her family safety and starts organizing political betrothals for her sons, causing frictions with Luke and Joffrey. Chapter 7: Inner Turmoil A weathered Laenor arrives, happy sailing the seas fighting pirates. He decides to reclaim his dragon from Driftmark and briefly returns home under cover. The tough talk with his mother Rhaenys who thought his dead for the last years. He refuses to return to Westeros and settles on Bloodstone as Rhaenyra’s advisor. The revelation of Laenor’s fake death causes a crisis of trust among Rhaenyra’s children and allies, with Jace and Luke feeling betrayed and manipulated. They leave her court and seek adventure and glory in the Slaver Wars. Joffrey settles into married life with his arranged bride, but is not happy and misses his older brothers. The once-inseparable siblings have grown apart. Rhaenyra’s self-doubt as a ruler and mother escalates when her once-close family begins drifting apart. Bonds deepen between Saera's line and Rhaenyra's as marriages are arranged between their children. Chapter 8: Sabotage Malicious rumors seeded by Aemond creates division among Rhaenyra’s people, who start to question her rule. His allies manipulate merchants to impede trade. Rhaenyra faces a harsh portrayal of her in the public eye, challenging her to overcome propaganda and win back the trust of her people. A daring attempt by Aemond’s agents to steal a few dragon eggs from Rhaenyra’s castle leads to them being caught and tortured. Aemond publicly decries her supposed "treachery" and calls for the war. Rhaenyra gets attacked in her castle but her husband and sons manage to save her. One of Daemon and Rhaenyra’s closest friends betray them due to being coerced by Westerosi agents. Chapter 9: A New Heir Now a man grown, Aegon rejects Westerosi Targaryens offers of marriage and alliance, wedding instead a daughter of Volantis nobility. With great pomp he is named Daemon and Rhaenyra's heir, Prince Baelon serves ably as his Hand. His sister Visenya is wed to Baelon. The future of this branch of house Targaryen is assured as Aegon and his wife welcome a son, Rhaenar. The dismissed pirates from before gather strength and raid coastal villages, demanding a heavy toll to prevent future attacks. Prince Aegon organizes a defence but his brother Baelon is popular, he fights on his dragon the front line. Chapter 10: Passing the Torch (Climax) Time catching up with them, fifteen years later Queen Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon cede the throne. Daemon's health is failing. Daemon and Rhaenyra struggle with relinquishing power and their purpose, leading to a deep existential conflict. With great fanfare their son Aegon is crowned, embraced by his subjects. Daemon proudly gives over Dark Sister. Under their guidance, dragons and clutches of eggs flourish as never before. Chapter 11: An Uneasy Peace In Westeros, Jaehaerys II inherits, a passive and gullible king. He fears his uncle Aemond’s influence and discreetly reaches out to Essos Targaryens. Lots of tensions. Behind polite words, each side recognizes the uneasy detente. But for now, peace prevails. The main branch of House Targaryen, led by Jaehaerys II, attempts to negotiate betrothals to reunite the two branches. The proposed betrothals become a source of familial conflict as members of Rhaenyra’s line resist the idea of reuniting with the Westerosi Targaryens, fearing they will lose their hard-won independence. The consequences of Rhaenyra's exile ripple through history, shaping the fractured Targaryen dynasty.
answer:Reviewing the rich tapestry of political intrigue, epic fantasy elements, and complex character dynamics you've provided in your draft outline, here are three variants of strong one-sentence premises for your story: 1. In a world of betrayals and political machinations, Rhaenyra Targaryen desires to secure a future for her family by establishing a new realm in Essos, but when her adversaries in Westeros challenge her claim, she must navigate war, espionage, and family strife to defend her burgeoning dynasty against the encroaching power of Aegon II. 2. Amidst the turmoil following the tarnishing of her lineage in Westeros, Rhaenyra Targaryen seeks sanctuary and sovereignty in the Stepstones, but her family's tranquility is threatened when Aegon II's lust for dominance spurs a clandestine conflict, forcing Rhaenyra to confront treachery and protect her realm from the shadows of her past. 3. Driven by the need to provide for her heirs after a bitter disinheritance, Rhaenyra Targaryen, alongside Daemon, strives to carve out a new kingdom across the Narrow Sea, yet the ghost of the Iron Throne looms large as a web of political sabotage by Aegon II ensnares her family, calling upon her to unite her kin and quell dissent to forge a lasting legacy. Each premise captures the essence of your sprawling tale, centered around Rhaenyra's quest for a safe haven and legitimacy in the face of relentless opposition. They highlight her internal and external struggles against a backdrop of high fantasy and political drama, setting the stage for a riveting saga of resilience and royal ambition.