Continuity, Seoul – Part 2: The Double

They worked late, after the crew had gone home, in Min-jun's makeup trailer, with photos spread across the mirror.

The change had happened four days ago. Before that, the real Tae-ho had been joking, warm and always late. Since then, "Tae-ho" had been punctual, silent and careful never to stand near the people who knew him best.

"Why would anyone replace a lead actor?" Ji-woo said. "And who could even look like him that much?"

Min-jun tapped the mirror. "With good prosthetics and good makeup, many people could." He paused. "Someone has a very skilled artist."

That was when Ji-woo remembered. Four days ago, Tae-ho had told her he had received threatening messages from an obsessive fan. He had wanted to stop filming. Director Oh had refused. The drama was too big. Its streaming deal was worth millions.

"So maybe he didn't disappear," Min-jun said slowly. "Maybe he was hidden."

"By who?"

The trailer door opened.

Director Oh stood there, rain dripping from his umbrella. He looked at the photos on the mirror. He did not seem surprised.

"You are very good at your job, Min-jun," he said. "That is why I hired you." He paused. "It is also a problem."

He stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

"Tae-ho is safe," he said. "But nobody can know. Not the crew. Not the press. If you say one word…" He let the sentence hang.

Then he left.

Ji-woo let out a breath. "Did he just threaten you?"

Min-jun did not answer. He was looking at the umbrella stand, where a single item had fallen out of the director's coat.

A hotel key card. From a hotel two hours outside the city.

---

Next: Part 3, The Final Take. A mountain-lake hotel, a surprised man in a sweatshirt, and a final scene that is finally correct.