Park Tei

Are you real?

"How was the shooting?"
"Unexpected"
Unexpected is not the best word to describe my day.
"What do you mean?
I open the fridge to drink a beer.
"I saw a ghost" I said closing the door of the fridge.
"Don't do that!"
"Sorry"
"I'm really scared."
My friend touches his chest sighing. He really hates ghost story which makes me laugh since I don't believe in ghost.
"okay"
"What did you really see?" He said after checking the rhythm of his heart.
" I don't know a memory from the past"
Memory? If my memory doesn't play with me. I am not one to forget a face but I can't say that her face was always visible.
"Can you speak our language please?"
"female"
I just can be sure of this information.
"Pretty lady?"
Always this question.
"Just a girl I know"
"Do your best"
Why are all the answers going to this direction?
"Not to that extent, just...
I can't find my words. If this woman was able to hear my conversation right now she would slap me or give me the expression she had throughout the flight.
"Shooting again tomorrow?
"Yes and I am really looking forward to it."


"Ah Jinyoung"
I am on the top of the stairs waiting to do my makeup. We are shooting in a coffee shop for the commercial. It's been a longtime since I shot one. The offer really surprised me since I didn't do anything revelant since my return from the army. And I think the one who is approaching me is behind all of this.
"Yeri how are you doing?"
Yeri the other model is also my childhood friend, actually I am surprised that she accepted to do this shoot. When you see Yeri for the first time you can think the brand style doesn't match with her. Actually I can't really describe what kind of person is Yeri. She's a mystery for me like another woman.
"Fine and you?
"As usual, do you wait for the makeup?"
"Yes, did you know this coffee shop?"
"No."
And I am really surprised they found with a limited time this coffee shop, I wonder how they convince the owner to lend his shop for the day.
"It's really pretty"
"well?"
For sure this shop is not Yeri style, she's not one to drink coffee.
"I hope you are still not shocked by what happened yesterday."
"Don't worry unlike my appearance I am pretty strong"
I know she's strong, too strong for her own people after the incident I was sure she would have complained to the staff magazine.
 Since she's still here I suppose that Tei succeed to make her stay for the rest of the shoot.
"I think the staff well handled the situation, at least the schedule of the shooting has not changed."
"I don't think so"
Still has grudges.
"Why do you think that?"
"Have you the phone number of 효신? "
All comes back to Hyoshin.
She avoids the question as usual when it's not to her liking.
"He still uses his American phone number, as he didn't settle yet in Korea."
"Can I have it?" 
Of course, my best friend is her only reason to talk with me.
"Sure."
As I am taping the number of my friend, my phone slips out of my hand and fall right downstairs, Expecting the loss of my phone I am surprised to see someone catching it at the last minute.
"Well catched" I say 
Unlike other days Watching my precious phone in the hands of someone else is not disturbing at all. 

"I am pretty good at that." 
I caught you calling me too

She raises her head up, surprised by her expression.
But her gaze at me makes me sure now that the woman in the plane is the one who is going up the stairs.
"Good morning" I say
She has the same expression as the last time. 
"Here,"
She gives my phone.
"Thank you"
"Yebin, can you take them to the hairdresser and makeup room"?
"Sure."
Did she ignore me? or did she not recognize me?

"You can seat here?"
I hear the voice of Tei coming on the room with a man, she makes him face the mirror. It must be an actor for the commercial. 
"What should I do?"
"I can't help it"
She's grabbing one of the makeup artist brush and start to do his makeup.
"Do you know her?" One of the makeup artist asks
"Yes I do, she is my first student" 
"And the last" Tei responds
"too bad."
She really has a way with words. 
"You can't teach someone else but it doesn't erase the fact you are an excellent makeup artist."
Unlike in the plane, her voice is completely different. It may be because we don't know each other. Actually I have never thought I would meet her here. Her appearance has changed, brown hair, more cheerful, capable to joke with someone else. 
Did the woman I meet on the plane is the same as the one behind me.
"Chinchang is sweet today"
"I'm tired."
Unlike me she seems to be awake since early morning.
"When you finish with them, they can come directly downstairs"
"Okay"
"Wow you still remember the technique."
"That's a relief as the shooting will soon begin, come with me we will give you the outfit for the shooting."
Makeup done She vanishes with the actor downstairs.

"Cue action"
"OF"
also!!!!!
"Does she do it on purpose?"
In a corner of the coffee shop I nervously biting my nails.
It's been 30 minutes and we haven't yet finish the first scene. Grabbing a cup of coffee doesn't take 30 minutes to be shot.
Unlike yesterday she seems to be less confident on her acting or the worst case bored by this schedule. It's not her first time to do an advertisement is it? 
"I hope not" I say 
Even though we are inside the coffee shop, the winter wind entered which makes the room less warm
Surely not?
"Aren't you cold?" 
"Are you? Yebin asks me
"Maybe my body is not used to it yet"
I hope it's for this reason 
"Cut"
"Are you really sure? I can do it again.
Arguing with the director will change nothing. My uncle should have been fed up by her awkward acting? How will he save this footage?
"Yes we have everything we want, it's a wrap here, going to the next location."


"Excuse me"
"Ah Jinyoung ssi, do you need something?"
Looking everywhere around us this thought comes to me : wrong timing, I thought she would be already here here.
"No I just wanted to know if you need help, doing this alone is too much for a woman."
Sorry for this poor excuse. It's not usual to see the celebrities approaching first the staff.
"You don't need to, and I am not alone Tei is coming"
"You're working together? For how long?"
"She just came back so not too long but we have known each other fo ten years now."
I carefully asks my question, I don't want to seem weird.
"Wow, and is she...."
The sound of the telephone stops the conversation.
"Excuse me, Yes he's here okay".
"You have to go, the outfit for you has just arrived".
I'm sad
"Oh alright, see you later."

"who is this?"
"Mr. Jinyoung"
Why that person?
"He must be a good person."
"thank god"
We can't say that all of them are the same. And I don't remember stars coming to see the staff but I am grateful they attempt to interact with them.
"Is everything here?"
The next and last scene happen to be in a park, I don't know who imagines to have a picnic scene in this cold weather. The wind is getting cold and strong.
"I wonder how they can do this shooting in this weather?"
"They don't have a choice being chosen to endorse a brand it's not a easy thing, being chosen comprised fan meeting, free clothes and commercial advertisement. In this world talent only can't bring you a good future."
"It's sad."
"Sad but real, we should hurry putting the tablecloth, fortunately they will not really eat the food."
No pain No gain
"Is it ready?" I hear from my earpiece.
"Yes They can come"

"OF"
No really, she's really doesn't hide that she bored now. How all her staff can keep up with her bad behaviour? Making an action as simple as talking with your partner difficult is an impressive act.
This is just my opinion but I have seen many auditions and if she was not a celebrity she would have not made the cut. 
"Are you a little uncomfortable?"
"Because of the weather?" Yebin asks me.
"No, something else"
What I imagined, it really came out here.
"Cut"
My uncle is really good to suppress his anger. I am so sorry for this that he first shooting is not easy. 
That girl really does all sorts of things.
"There is a lot of wind"
"And the weather doesn't make the shooting easier, come with me"
The tablecloth on the table doesn't stop to get on the way of the camera.
Wind, weather, winter. Really a good day to have a shooting.
"It's fixed" I yell to the director
"Author, let's get started."
"And Cut"
Thank you god. I was on the verge to grab your hair and fire her from  this place.
"great job."
You really worked hard

"Thank you for lending your coffee shop, and don't worry you will be credited for this."
Unlike the others who went to the studio, I had to go return the keys of the coffee shop before coming back. In fact I am the one who advises to choose this coffee shop for the scene, As the brand makes casual clothes too having a scene in a place we all know can be a good idea. And this place has a good interior.
"You're welcome, free advertisement is always good."

"Hello"8
"Where are you?
My oncle has an exciting voice. 
"At the coffee shop for the keys.Why?"
"Ah I just want to tell you that we are already in the restaurant?"
Restaurant? Which restaurant?
"What do you mean?"
"The entire staff was invited to the restaurant"
Ah, I'm screwed.
"So what?"

"Cheers"
"W...Writer?"
My eyes was wide open, drinks and good atmosphere. My uncle is with the models siting around a square table.
"Ah, Taeyi is here, don't come here."
Only the models, why the staff are not with them. I would rather drink with someone I know. 
"뭐야?" I ask sitting next my uncle.
"Oh, Jinyoung invited me."
I look one second toward the man who shows me a smile.
Ah, Jinyoung? Is that so now?
"Already close?
"We had a lot of discussion during the shooting"
In how survive to the woman next to them?
"Alright."
"Eat plenty"
"thank you"
What is this atmosphere?
I notice my uncle trying to get another drink of beer.
"Don't, I don't want to lift you to your house."
He put down sadly his drink. 
One of the reason my aunt has left is because of my uncle behaviour when he drinks. I don't understand the obsession here for gathering and alcohol.
While looking at the other people in front of me this thought comes to me pouring a drink on my glass.
This will be a long night...

"How long did you work in this field"
During the gathering I notice that all the staff were not in the same place, unfortunately I was with the stars of the shooting that make me uncomfortable. The noise outside makes me sad, I want to join them. 
"Actually It's my beginning into this field, Tei encouraged me to do it"
I didn't know the result will turn out this way. Even though the shooting was difficult, It comes out nicely.
"Will my picture come out perfectly?"
We hope all of them will come out perfectly. Showing her bad side instead of her professionalism is childish. Her reasons are stupid and creepy. Hearing her again makes me want to hit her head. If someone was able to hear my thoughts he would think that my behaviour is exaggerated. But this woman is unaware that I know what she wants to hide from everybody.
"Don't worry there is a lot of nice shot, no I mean perfect shot."
Nice play of words. Knowing not good shots is nowhere to be found yet. 
"And you Tei?"
Why are you talking to me? How do you know my name?  Ah right we were in the same makeup room.
"How was the shooting?"
"Satisfying"
I hope my answer was as nice as possible.
"Do you always have this kind of expression?"
Do you always have to open your mouth? The goosebumps come again  in my body.
"Yes"
The city is embarrassing. I hate this goosebumps.
"Don't be mistaken, Tei is a good girl. 
Not with everyone. And I like to be mistaken no one don't dare bother me then.
"I think you should try to work on your expression....
I think you should try to work on your acting. Goosebumps don't stop coming.
"Tei's expression is nice."
Suddenly? Jinyoung is acting strange.
"How did you know?"
"That's okay, Tae's expression is fine."
Even this man.
"Excuse me, 
Thank you for the existence of the phone. Go away you and the goosebumps.
"Jinyoung, our way?"
"If you want to smoke, go."
"We'll go and come back."
Finally silence in the room.

"Wow, I want to hit that woman."
"me too"
I think I should remind that except me  everyone has left the room.
"what?!!"
"Don't be surprised"
A man is sitting in front of me, looking with envy the food on the table.
He seems to come from far away in the history of Korea. His hair, clothes and posture don't fit with our generation.
"How did you do that to me..."
"Did you see it?"
I put in front of him a glass full of alcohol before drinking mine.
"But I..."
"Yeah, you're a ghost."
Eyes Wide open, confuse expression. I mean all have the same expression when I talk to them. When you are taken aback by an unknown situation like this one you stutters.
"Don't ask me the same question, that's what I want to tell you too... that person
"I want to hit you"
This girl reminds me to the one I saw in high school. Pretentious, loves attention and thinks everyone has to love her.
"Since when?
"I'll ask too, eat quickly before those people come."
Goosebumps will come back again, annoying ones too.
I place a chopstick in front of him, observing for a while I could see his face craving for the food.
"To catch me!!"
Do others catch ghost here? I never have an encounter with someone who can see the same things as me.
"Why should I catch you?"
I don't waste my time in a fight I may loose.
"Isn't that how it was originally?"
Does someone try to catch him?
He finally grabs the chopstick.
"I'm not a hunter, I'm just a ghost seer."
That's right, a grown woman who can see ghost and do some other things.
In my daily life it's not really annoying, at the beginning we can be scared and confused but as time goes by we can just accept our fate and living with that.
"What is this Four Emperors?"
Same reaction as others. As they are aware of their situation, they come to the conclusion that they are living in another space near human beings. If one day a living person tells them that he can see them in their space, the situation would certainly be bizarre.
"Just two people having dinner."
And I hope it stays like that, I don't like big gatherings with people I don't really want to know their whereabouts.
"I... am not human"
He's picking a bite of chicken.
"Who are you then?"
I separate the parts of the chicken for him.
"If I'm not a ghost, then who am I?"
"The answer is already out there, you and I are the same, we are human, so...
The door opens suddenly
...let's help each other.