An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 113

113. #22 – Taking Root in a New Place (1)

Clap, clap, clap—.

As the end credits rolled, applause rippled through the audience.

Song Yoona smiled faintly at the sound.

It was the premiere of the movie ‘Survivor of the Ruined World’.

“Wow, it’s amazing no matter how many times I see it,” Chief Choi said to Song Yoona, his eyes glued to the end credits.

She suppressed her smile and nodded.

“Of course. Who else would be in it?”

“That’s right. Everything Yoona’s in is perfect.”

Song Yoona glanced at the actors sitting next to her.

The person who caught her eye was Jin Heesung.

He was clapping with a bright smile.

Song Yoona shrugged and shook her head as she looked at Jin Heesung.

The actors stood, greeted the audience, and then, one by one, left the movie theater.

The premiere had been going on for several days.

Song Yoona, exhausted, got into the car and leaned back.

“Haa, this is the end of the premiere, right?”

At her question, Chief Choi checked the schedule and said, “Yes, the premiere ends today. Next is…”

“Ah, just let me know about the next one when I ask.”

“…Okay.”

Song Yoona cut him off. She leaned back in her seat, stretched her neck, and did some stretches.

Chief Choi, still engrossed in the movie, spoke with excitement. “But it’s so much more realistic and fun than any zombie movie that’s come out in Korea. I knew it was a hit when I saw it on set.”

Chief Choi frowned, waved his hand, and continued, “The realistically edited scenes and the background music, wow…”

Song Yoona listened quietly, not seeming to dislike his words.

He swallowed dryly and critiqued the movie. “Besides, the actors playing the zombies were amazing. Especially that actor, Jin Heesung—how did he act like that?”

At Chief Choi’s words, Song Yoona slightly opened her eyes and asked, “Why?”

“No, I thought he was someone who had actually lived as a zombie.”

“Come on, who lives as a zombie?”

“That’s how amazing his zombie acting was. Everyone is only talking about Heesung’s zombie acting, right?”

Song Yoona crossed her arms, made a ‘tss’ sound, and closed her eyes tightly again.

Chief Choi, after confirming in the rearview mirror that she had closed her eyes, immediately started the car.

“Yoona, let’s go then.”

“Okay.”

The car left the crowded scene.

About ten minutes after they started driving, Song Yoona opened her eyes.

She unfolded her arms and picked up her cell phone.

Then, she searched for the movie she starred in, ‘Survivor of the Ruined World’.

[‘Survivor of the Ruined World’ Zombie Movie… Huge Hit Since Korean Release!]

[‘K-Zombie’ Movie to Lead Globally, Survivor of the Ruined World…]

[Movie ‘Survivor of the Ruined World’ Doubles in Audience Numbers From Release to Present…]

The articles were full of praise.

Song Yoona smiled and clicked on the critic reviews.

-A work that satisfies the curiosity and anticipation of ‘What if there were zombies in Korea? Would they be like this?’ One of the great advantages was that the level of intensity was adjusted so that it was not uncomfortable for the general public to watch. A work that breaks away from the obvious clichés….

-A disaster blockbuster [Survivor of the Ruined World] that will make the stagnant domestic film market nervous.

The sad gaze of a survivor looking at a zombie who was once human.

Perfect acting by the actors who transformed into zombies, flawless….

The critics also had far more positive reviews than negative ones.

With a bright smile, she looked at the comment reviews from the general audience one by one.

-This is a top-tier K-zombie movie!

-But Jin Heesung’s acting seems crazy. Has he ever lived as a zombie?

└I’ve been watching Jin Heesung’s acting from his previous works, and this acting is even better.

└That’s right. Jin Heesung seems like he’s going to devour the Korean film industry someday.

└I’m betting coins on this comment!

-This movie is a must-see N times [a common expression meaning ‘multiple times’]~ I’ve already watched it twice today.

The audience’s reaction was also explosive.

Among them, the comments about Jin Heesung were overwhelmingly numerous.

Song Yoona read all the comments.

Looking at her cell phone, she murmured in a small voice, “Jin Heesung… he is good.”

***

“Heesung, you worked hard today,” Manager Kim said as soon as he got in the car.

“No, is today’s schedule already over?”

“Yeah, it’s over.”

I turned my head and looked out the window. The sun was still shining brightly.

The schedule ended earlier than usual.

I nodded, and a good idea came to mind, so I leaned closer to Manager Kim.

“Hyung [older brother or close male friend], what are you doing now?”

“What, do you want to work more?” Manager Kim tilted his head and asked.

I smiled and answered, “No, what are you doing now, hyung?”

“I don’t know… I should just go home. I don’t have any plans.”

I smiled and said, “Then let’s go somewhere together today.”

“Where?”

I smiled slyly as he raised his eyebrows.

“The department store.”

“Are you going to buy clothes?”

“Yeah, I want to buy a nice coat, so help me pick one out.”

“Okay.”

Manager Kim turned the steering wheel toward the department store.

I smiled as I looked at his back.

Yesterday evening, the final settlement payment from HS Entertainment came in.

It seemed like more fuel tax than usual was deducted.

But it was a company whose contract had already ended, and I didn’t want to argue with HS Entertainment.

Even so, the amount was quite large because of the drama and advertisement.

So, I thought about what to do with this settlement payment first.

This time, I wanted to give a gift to Manager Kim, who takes care of me the closest and looks after me like his own brother.

But if I said I would give him a gift, he would definitely not accept it.

He even refuses when I buy him a slightly expensive meal.

So, I used a little trick and asked him to pick out my clothes.

I smiled happily at the thought of giving Manager Kim a gift and headed to the department store.

Arriving at the department store, Manager Kim thought he was picking out my clothes.

He started to enthusiastically put clothes on me.

“How about this outfit?”

“It’s good, but what do you think, hyung?”

At my question, he frowned, scanned me, and nodded.

“It really suits you, Heesung.”

I threw him a question. “How about you pick one too, hyung?”

I asked hopefully.

As expected, the answer he gave me did not deviate from my expectations.

“Eh- I don’t need it. And I can buy it myself.”

Manager Kim immediately picked up another coat and put it on me.

“Wow, Heesung. This outfit is the best!” He looked at the clothes with sparkling eyes.

“Oh, this coat is really nice?”

“See, I have an eye for things.”

“Haha, do you think it’s okay too, hyung?” I asked, watching his reaction.

He carefully scanned the clothes and nodded repeatedly.

“Yeah, this coat is a bit expensive, but you meet people, so if you have one of these, you’ll wear it well.”

“Hmm… I guess so.”

“Oh, and this coat is….” Manager Kim seemed to like the coat he was holding and started explaining it to me.

I reached out and called an employee.

Soon, an employee approached.

“Would you like me to check the size?”

“Yes, do you have this coat in a large size?”

She took the coat and said, “Yes, we have the size. Would you like me to show it to you?”

“No. I’ll pay for it right away.”

“Yes, I’ll help you with the calculation at the front.”

I nodded.

Manager Kim grabbed my arm and said, “Heesung, you’re tall, so you should buy XL. ”

Even at his words, I headed to the checkout counter. I gave Manager Kim an ‘I understand’ expression.

The employee smiled brightly and looked at me. “It’s 3,390,000 won [approximately $2,500 USD].”

“Yes, here you go.” I handed her the card.

“How would you like to pay?”

“Please do it in one lump sum.”

“Yes, I have received the card.”

Manager Kim spoke again. “When you coordinate your clothes, Heesung, all the coats are XL size. Or try it on….”

He tried to stop me from handing over the card, but I quickly finished the transaction.

“Thank you. Please wear it beautifully.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I handed the large shopping bag I received from the employee to Manager Kim.

“Here, it’s a gift, hyung.”

He stared at me with wide eyes.

“No… why are you giving this to me?”

“I wanted to get you a nice outfit, hyung.”

I quickly handed the shopping bag to Manager Kim’s hand, who was about to protest.

He pushed my hand away and answered, “You don’t have to.”

“You trusted me and came to WG Entertainment with me. Also, I always wanted to give you a gift because I’m grateful.”

Manager Kim shook his hand and said, “No. You took care of me and even moved the company.”

“Please accept it.”

“Still, this is too expensive….”

I frowned, looked at the shopping bag, and said, “Anyway, L is not my size, so I can’t wear it. And I can’t return it without my card!”

“Hey, if you refund it right here….” I quickly ran out of the store.

I said to him, who was running after me, “If you’re not going to wear it, throw it away.”

Manager Kim lowered his eyebrows, looked at the shopping bag, and opened his mouth. “Heesung, thank you. I’ll wear it really well. But this is too expensive….”

“It’s okay. If things go better in the future, I’ll buy you even more expensive and better things.”

He then smiled and fiddled with the shopping bag.

I was happier at Manager Kim’s expression because it meant I had the ability to give to someone.

I couldn’t stop smiling as I left the department store.

***

“Haa, how many houses is this already?”

I’ve been looking at houses for days, but I couldn’t find a decent one.

I was starting to get more and more impatient because I wanted to move quickly.

“Originally, moving is 90% about finding a house. Don’t rush and look slowly until a good property comes out.”

Manager Kim looked at the houses with a more critical eye than me.

“Is the next house the last one you’re going to show us today?” When he asked the real estate agent, she nodded.

“Yes, this house is very spacious and clean. The living area is also good….”

At her words, Manager Kim immediately asked, “What about security?”

“Security is also thorough. There is 24-hour security, and the apartment entrance checks the residents’ identification.”

At the real estate agent’s words, we nodded and entered the new house.

A barrier that does not open unless you are a resident from the entrance.

There was a security guard guarding the front.

I headed into the house feeling satisfied.

A house in the late 20s pyeong [pyeong is a Korean unit of area, approximately 33 square meters or 355 square feet].

A house that was not too big and not too small.

Compared to the house I lived in before, it was naturally like a playground.

The living room and master bedroom were separated.

If it’s this clean at this price in Seoul, and the security is thorough, I was so satisfied.

“Hyung, how about here?”

Manager Kim, from the perspective of a self-sufficient senior, went to the bathroom and checked the water pressure.

“These days, the water pressure is said to be good, but it’s still essential to check.”

I smiled at his appearance and checked the rest of the room and the kitchen.

I didn’t cook well, but it was a pretty decent kitchen to treat my parents when they came occasionally.

There’s even a room to use as a study and practice room.

What I saw out the window was not a view of the Han River, but the city and apartment view of downtown Seoul was enough to satisfy me.

I approached Manager Kim and said, “I’ve been searching for a long time, but I guess I was going to end up here.”

He also raised his eyebrows and smiled as if he agreed.

“Heesung, this house is totally fine.”