Our Story - Binjin

Chapter 10: Visiting the Basement Set

After filming that day – Basement set

It was almost 9pm when Director Lee cleared the last filming scene for the day. The crew were busy tidying up and preparing for tomorrow's scenes. Hyun Bin and Ye-Jin were in their changing room, removing make-up and changing back to their own clothing.

Knock, knock.

"Are you ready?" Hyun Bin called from outside Ye-Jin's changing room. He opened the door after Ye-Jin answered. It was in the middle of summer in Seoul and he had on a simple white T-shirt and jeans.

"Are you really going to make me look at your set?" Ye-Jin laughed. "It's already 9pm."

"Of course, there's never ever going to be a good time, looking at our filming schedule. Remember, the earlier you understand this aspect of Min Tae-Gu, the better for the film," he emphasized the last part. "Oh, is Manager Kim waiting for you? I forgot, we should have told him earlier," Hyun Bin frowned slightly, that was an oversight.

"Actually, he usually would but not today. It's his birthday so I told him to go back earlier. I'm going to catch a ride from my stylist." Ye-Jin explained.

"How about this? I drove today, I'll drop you off at your place instead. That way, your stylist won't have to wait." Hyun Bin suggested. He felt bad if her stylist had to wait for them.

"Sounds logical," Ye-Jin thought for a second and turned back to her stylist. "Min-Ji, I have to look at the set with Hyun Bin and it may take awhile. Why don't you go ahead? He drove today and will drop me off when we're done."

"Are you sure, Onni?" Min-Ji asked, "I can wait, it's no problem."

"It's fine. You had a long day too. Go back and get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow," Ye-Jin replied.

"Good night, Min-Ji shi," Hyun Bin said goodbye and held the door for Ye-Jin as she picked up her sling bag and they walked towards the stairs.

"So this is the infamous flight of stairs," Ye-Jin laughed. "Thank goodness I'm wearing sneakers today."

Hyun Bin smiled to himself. Now he realized why she felt a little different today. Without any heels, she came up to just around his shoulders, emphasizing her petite frame. "Now you know my pain. I went up and down seven times today."

"You were the one who NG-ed twice," Ye-Jin reminded him, grinning. "But still, thank you for agreeing to take the basement. I do acknowledge it could have been me going up and down every day."

Just like that, she actually made him feel happy about having to climb the stairs.

The basement set was mostly empty when they arrived. There were just a couple of lighting crew adjusting their equipment. Hyun Bin and Ye Jin acknowledged them and moved to the middle of the set.

"What do you think?" Hyun Bin asked.

Ye-Jin took a long hard look around the set, at the dirt floor, the dust which coated all the surface, the basic and run-down furniture. She closed her eyes and tried to picture the people and events which happened in this setting.

To Hyun Bin's surprise, tears slipped down her face after a few minutes. He felt his chest tightened and he instinctively reached out for her shoulders. "What's wrong?" he asked gently.

Ye-Jin opened her eyes and was surprised to find herself being held by Hyun Bin. She hurriedly wiped away her tears, embarrassed. "No... Nothing, I just suddenly felt like I could feel Min Tae Gu's pain and helplessness when I look at the place. How much time did he spend in the dark? Knowing that he's not evil by nature, it's heart-breaking."

Hyun Bin felt an unfamiliar tightness in his chest. He took a deep breath and looked into Ye-Jin's eyes. It was only a few seconds but they both felt the depth of feelings exchanged in that few seconds. They both pulled away at the same time, as if suddenly aware of what was happening and shaken by the exchange.

"Wow," Ye-Jin let out after a few minutes. "You're right about coming down here. I can't believe how much I felt in such a short time. This adds so much more dimensions to my interpretation of Min Tae Gu."

Hyun Bin blinked, for a split second he wondered, was that between Ha Chae Yoon and Min Tae Gu or Son Ye-Jin and Hyun Bin? Ye-Jin had given both of them an easy way out and Hyun Bin went along. He smiled, "You owe me one big time right? I'll call in the debt one day. Come on, let's get you home."

In Hyun Bin's car

It was unusually quiet in the car. Ye-Jin was usually chatty and could hold a conversation on just about any topic.

"Are you cold?" Hyun Bin asked. He noticed her rubbing her hands.

Ye-Jin looked up at him and admitted "Yes, a little."

Hyun Bin stopped along the side of the road, turned up with temperature and reached into the back seat for the spare sweater he usually keeps in the car. "Here, use this first. It'll take a while for the temperature to pick up."

Ye-Jin's first thought was to refuse but something in her made her reach out to take the sweater. "Thank you." If she had allowed herself to delve further into her actions, she would have realized her subconscious mind was thinking, maybe this is the only chance to be this close to something owned by him.

The rest of the journey was uneventful and Ye-Jin gave Hyun Bin the final directions to arrive at her apartment's drive-through. He moved to get down and open the door for her but she stopped him. "Thanks for dropping me Bin, I think it's better if you stay in the car, just in case someone sees us," she cautioned with a smile.

"You're good going in yourself?" Hyun Bin looked around at the surroundings suspiciously.

Ye-Jin let out a peal of laughter. "This is my home." Her laughter broke the slightly awkward tension earlier in the car.

Hyun Bin smiled sheepishly. "That was too much right."

"I'm glad you know," she laughed. "Goodnight Bin, I'll see you tomorrow," Ye-Jin waved and disappeared into the lobby.