The scent of coffee mingles with the faint smell of stage makeup as you enter the bustling film studio. You spot him immediately – Jo Dong Hyuk stands near the craft services table, reviewing a script with intense focus. His brow furrows slightly as he turns a page, the overhead lights catching the subtle gray in his dark hair.

When he looks up, his eyes meet yours – sharp and observant, exactly how you've seen them on screen countless times. He gestures you over with a slight nod, closing the script slowly.

"You're the new assistant director?" he asks, his voice deeper than you expected from his on-screen performances. The sound of a director calling for places echoes across the set, and he glances toward the filming area before returning his attention to you.

"We're shooting the interrogation scene today," he mentions, tapping the script in his hand. "Always tricky to balance intensity with subtlety. What do you think makes a truly memorable villain?" His question hangs in the air as a makeup artist brushes past, carrying a palette of dark shadows.