Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 123

123. Life’s Goal (1)

2022.03.03.

I watched Dong Ja-ryeong from behind, observing his attempts to gauge reactions. This time, something felt different. I barely felt that sticky, damp feeling [referring to negative energy or jealousy]. Of course, there would still be people envious of the success and attention itself… but the shift I felt within myself was so clear and distinct that I couldn’t help but acknowledge it. Kwon Seong-hyeon was right after all. “But… did you come to ask about that, by any chance?” I asked, struck by a sudden thought. “Well, I did propose it. And it’s about Yeon-woo, of all people,” he replied. “I devised the best method I could, but if the result doesn’t please Yeon-woo, it’s all for nothing, isn’t it?” “You really don’t have to go that far.” “No. I have to go this far. I absolutely can’t stand to see my angel stuck in the mud.” It had been a while since I’d heard the ‘angel’ talk. It was hard to understand, but Kwon Seong-hyeon claimed he saw a brilliant golden light in Yeon-woo.

‘Could it be… something like a goal?’ Someone in Kwon Seong-hyeon’s position must have experienced almost every success and wealth imaginable. Someone who has everything is bound to feel ennui [a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement]. The absence of further goals might be the same as losing the driving force in life. So, is that why?

‘Perhaps Kwon Seong-hyeon floated as a living spirit because…’ The feeling I had been vaguely sensing until now was solidifying. Perhaps Kwon Seong-hyeon was… setting a new goal? A goal very closely related to Yeon-woo.

‘Certainly… he said that his soul and body have never been separated since then.’ It wasn’t for nothing that I had Dong Ja-ryeong attached to Kwon Seong-hyeon. He’s a talkative guy, but Dong Ja-ryeong has been faithfully fulfilling his role.

‘Come to think of it, it’s kind of strange.’ I have to pay attention to Kwon Seong-hyeon to avoid penalties and survive, for some reason. And Kwon Seong-hyeon seems to have made Yeon-woo his life’s goal. Anyone who saw it would think of a snake chasing its own tail. Of course, that’s only if Yeon-woo’s hypothesis is correct.

“Is there something on my face?” Kwon Seong-hyeon asked, wondering why I was staring at him.

“No. You don’t have anything on your face. Thank you for caring until the end, even though you must be tired.” At first, I wondered why he came so suddenly and bothered me. But I realized later that it was for my sake.

“It’s nothing. It’s my pleasure. It’s rewarding to care when you acknowledge it like this.” “I’m fine, so go and get some rest. That guy is about to kill me.” Yeon-woo glanced to the side.

[That’s right. Our actor needs to rest now. He’s been up almost all night until yesterday. Yeon-woo said it’s okay, so get some sleep today, actor!]

“Ah. I originally have a bit of mild insomnia.” “I didn’t know that.” “Because I didn’t say it.” After thinking for a moment, Yeon-woo said, “Then go and get some sleep. Good night.”

A captivating voice whispers in my ear, so irresistible. If I close my eyes like this, I will surely fall into a very deep sleep. Sensing that, Kwon Seong-hyeon smiled. “Thanks to you, I think I’ll sleep well tonight. You too, Yeon-woo. Good night.”

* Yeon-woo thought. ‘The atmosphere is kind of strange?’ The movie, which had been roughly finished filming, entered the post-editing stage. Originally, this process was entirely the director’s domain: how to piece together the filmed footage, how to assemble and complete the story, what kind of directing method to use to develop the determined story. This could be said to be entirely the director’s authority. However…

Yeon-woo received a call. [Are you sure I can participate? I don’t know anything about editing…]

[What are you talking about? Just having Yeon-woo there is a really, really big, huge help!]

[I’m not just saying that.]

[We’re not just saying that either. We’re really serious!]

A sudden call with a very earnest voice. The assistant director pleaded with Yeon-woo, sounding desperate.

[Ah! If you have a schedule, we’ll adjust to it!]

[No. It’s not that.]

After the movie filming was finished, Yeon-woo was given a forced break.

[Our company isn’t so evil that Yeon-woo has to go out and play the role of a young breadwinner. Recovering Yeon-woo’s health comes first.]

Still, if I had to pick something, it would be exercise and care? Getting care is slippery and feels strange, but I was told that I have to get it regularly. The touch of pressing along the muscle lines after a strenuous workout was subtly pleasant and languid.

Anyway, the important thing is that there’s nothing, let alone a busy schedule. Kwon Seong-hyeon said:

[It’s good to row when the water comes in [idiom for taking advantage of an opportunity], but you shouldn’t get too caught up in it.]

[Why is that?]

Usually, people say the opposite, right? When I asked, thinking that, Kwon Seong-hyeon replied:

[It’s not bad to do a lot of work in a short amount of time. But if you burn yourself out in too short a time, all that’s left is ashes. The person who rows disappears.]

[Ah.]

[Then the boat can’t go forward either. It can only float in place forever.]

Listening to him, that made sense too. There’s been talk about that these days: the term burnout syndrome. In short, it means that a person who is mentally exhausted becomes physically lethargic.

[Yeon-woo’s goal isn’t to make a quick buck and disappear, is it? Right?]

[Yes, well…]

I’m slowly starting to find this world of celebrities more and more interesting. If it were the old me, I wouldn’t have thought twice about pulling a quick one and running away… But it’s a little different now. I can’t put my finger on it, but… how should I put it? I feel like I want to walk this world a little more.

‘Is this what they call fate…?’ I’m reminded of what my mother, Kang Yeon-hwa, used to say.

[That’s your fate! What can you do about your destiny? Don’t think about straying off the path, just accept it as fate!]

Words I once didn’t even listen to. Frankly, I felt wronged. Fate is either all or nothing. How can there be such a thing in the world?

‘This isn’t some tribal era, it’s the modernized 21st century.’ Of course, Yeon-woo is a person who sees ghosts in that modernized era, and even talks to them. Why do I think of those words now that I’m standing here?

Since the extreme filming that even involved being stranded was over, I thought it wouldn’t be bad to rest as Kwon Seong-hyeon said, until the assistant director called.

[So, does that mean you can come?]

The assistant director asked in a voice full of color.

[Yes. But what am I supposed to do when I go?]

[Ah, you don’t have to do anything. As I said before, just being there is a very, very, very big help to us.]

[You can speak comfortably. I’m not thinking of asking for more appearance fees.]

[Ah, no! We know that Yeon-woo wouldn’t do that. So… we really just need you to be there. Um… next to our director.]

[…Yes?]

[Can you come first? I think it would be better to tell you after that…]

What kind of request is this? I was wondering, but Yeon-woo readily agreed. And now it’s the promised time.

“…?”

The atmosphere of the set was very strange. I don’t know exactly what’s strange, but it was strange anyway.

“Ah, Yeon-woo. You’re here?”

“O-o-oh. Yeon-woo! You’re here!”

“…Hello.”

What is it? Why are these people greeting me as if they’re seeing a savior? More than that.

“Is he… dead?”

Yeon-woo pointed to Director Ji, who was pale and dazed. The assistant director rushed to Director Ji, who was sitting blankly in front of the equipment in one side of the filming set and studio, and called out to him. “Director! Director, snap out of it! I understand that you’re going out of your mind, but please get a grip!”

I don’t know how many times the word ‘please’ was included in that short sentence. That’s how bad Director Ji’s condition looked.

Puck! Puck! The assistant director’s firm palm struck the director’s thick shoulder, making a crisp sound. “Ugh. This bear-like human is only meticulous in his personality… How can you be so out of it just because you saw that scary person! We have a mountain of editing to do!”

The assistant director diligently woke up Director Ji, saying that he couldn’t do any post-editing or post-processing unless the director gave directions. “At this rate, we’re going to miss the winter release, let alone the spring release? Ah, Director! Get a grip. How did you even get the investment with this?! Ah… that’s right, you got it by force.” Director Ji reacted to the assistant director’s mumbling voice when Yeon-woo’s name was mentioned.

“Director, if you don’t come to your senses now, I’m going to send Yeon-woo to the investor? The investor is already lurking around, what are you going to do if you leave Yeon-woo alone and get him taken away?”

“Yeon-woo…?” The color finally returned to his pale face a little.

“Yeon-woo is here…?”

“Yes. I worked hard to bring him here. I thought the director was going to burn out and disappear like that.”

“Yeon-woo!” The bear-like Director Ji jumped up.

“You’re here…”

“Hello, Director.”

“What brings you here…”

“Ah. The assistant director called me.”

“Assistant director…” When Director Ji turned to the side, the assistant director crossed his arms as if to say, ‘Do you finally see me?’

“That’s right. I called him. Isn’t that admirable?”

“Today’s duty… exempt…”

“Wow. Really? Awesome!”

It seems that a quick deal was made between the two. The assistant director’s expression, which had been sulking because Yeon-woo was here and he could only see Yeon-woo, changed in an instant to a very benevolent and peaceful one. The change was so fast that it reminded me of the face-changing 术 [face changing technique] that is said to be handed down from somewhere.

‘I want to learn that skill?’ Unfortunately, there was no ‘face-changing 术’ in the assistant director’s special skills section.

“Ah, Yeon-woo. The reason I called you is because our editing work is so slow that it’s turning into a snail’s pace. At this rate, we cleared all the scenes in a three-month cut for the movie, but in reality, we’re going to have a release in the new year, no, the year after next due to post-editing. Ah, I don’t really mean that. It’s because the director has come to his senses now! Anyway, it was about to get slow. It’s not slow.”

The assistant director smiled slyly at Yeon-woo with a subtle look in his eyes, as if he knew everything.

“…?”

I’ve just stepped into this world, so I don’t know how the 판 [판 (pan): a Korean word referring to a scene, situation, or field] works yet. I know how to act, but I’m ignorant about movie production.