An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 123

123. Episode 23 – Between Trash and Masterpiece (6)

“Hello.”

A deeply pulled-down hat.

And a large mask that covered the face up to just below the eyes.

I entered the office, and the staff responded to my greeting with smiles.

Then, they resumed their work.

I headed straight to the practice room, and Manager Kim hurried after me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“Hee-sung, you’re here?”

“Yeah, Hyung, are you busy today?”

Manager Kim shook his head at my question.

“No. I’ve been at the company. Why?”

“Can you go over the script with me?”

Manager Kim answered my request with a blank expression instead of a smile.

“Why are you asking so politely? Of course, I have to.”

He patted my shoulder and spoke again.

“Go practice. I have a meeting in the morning, so I’ll head straight to the practice room after.”

“Okay.”

Manager Kim turned around and left.

I hurried to the practice room.

From early in the morning, WG Entertainment’s actors were engrossed in their respective practices.

I quickly scanned them, my eyes sparkling.

Each with different thoughts and approaches, making various preparations.

But in the end, their dreams would all be the same.

I smiled as I looked at those who dreamed of the same future as me, when I heard a sound through the slightly open door.

I turned my head and looked towards it.

From there, I heard the voice of an actress acting as if she was wailing.

Tears constantly flowing from her eyes.

She was reciting her lines, crying out pitifully.

It was none other than Kim Hana, who lived next door.

While I was cheering her on as she steadily grew at WG Entertainment,

It was the first time I had seen her like this in person.

Even though she lived right next door.

I never ran into her in the elevator, but here she was in the practice room.

I wanted to tell her I was cheering her on as she climbed up the ladder from minor roles like me,

But I hadn’t had the chance to meet her until now.

Even though we met in the practice room, I didn’t think I could tell her that story now.

She was so immersed in her acting.

I was mesmerized by her appearance for a while.

I admired Kim Hana’s acting and sent her my support in my heart.

I couldn’t break her immersion with a single greeting.

Leaving her behind, I headed to the practice room.

Like the other actors in the practice room.

I also quickly immersed myself in the role, unfolding the script.

How much time had passed?

It was early in the morning when I came to the company.

But already, the hot sun was shining outside the window.

I cleared my throat and began to recite my lines again.

“How did you get here…?”

Before I knew it, I had put down the script.

I stared into the air, imagining my co-star.

“It’s not that I didn’t love you. It’s just…”

Knock knock.

Just then, Manager Kim knocked on the practice room door with a bright face.

I frowned as I was acting, but I relaxed my expression and greeted him.

“Hyung, is the meeting over?”

Manager Kim opened the door and came in, clasping his hands together.

“I’m too late, sorry.”

“No. I didn’t even realize how time was passing because I was practicing.”

He looked at me and gestured outside with his chin.

“Shall we go get a cup of coffee?”

At Manager Kim’s words, I smiled and got up from my seat.

“Sure.”

Manager Kim and I arrived at the company’s internal cafe.

We took a break while drinking a cup of coffee.

He took a sip of his coffee.

Then he stared at me and raised the corners of his mouth.

“Hee-sung, I have something to tell you.”

Seeing Manager Kim’s face, which couldn’t hide his excitement, I raised my eyebrows.

“What is it? It sounds like good news?”

At my words, Manager Kim smiled brightly and opened his mouth.

“We just got a new offer.”

At his words, I tilted my head.

“What is it?”

“Hee-sung, they want to put you in a documentary.”

“Me?”

He nodded and replied.

“Yeah, you. PBC [a broadcasting company] is producing a special documentary this time.”

Before I knew it, I had put down my coffee and was listening intently to his words.

“It’s a five-part series called ‘The Life of an Entertainer’.”

“If it’s the life of an entertainer… but am I filming all five episodes alone?”

He shook his head.

“No, it’s a documentary about various professions related to broadcasting.”

Manager Kim tapped the table with his finger and continued.

“Actor, singer, comedian, PD [Production Director], writer—these are the five professions related to broadcasting. They’re making it into a five-part series.”

“Oh, who are they filming for the actors?”

At my words, Manager Kim smirked and replied.

“Just you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, they want Jin Hee-sung, you, as the actor out of the five professions.”

At his words, my eyes widened.

I couldn’t help but be surprised by the fact that I was the representative of the actor profession in that documentary.

“The entertainment industry is a hidden profession. That’s why everyone is so curious about it. A documentary to satisfy that curiosity.”

“That’s a good plan, isn’t it?”

“Right? Besides, they really want you to be the representative of the actor profession. What do you think?”

At Manager Kim’s words, I nodded with interest and smiled.

Moreover, after hearing that I was the main focus as the actor, there was no reason not to do it.

I looked at Manager Kim and replied.

“Then let’s meet them.”

At my words, Manager Kim opened his mouth as if he had been waiting.

“Okay. Then I’ll set up a meeting date.”

***

PBC Broadcasting Station, Meeting Room.

Knock knock.

Opening the door, a person greeted me with a kind smile.

It was PD Park Moo-chan.

PD Park, who looked to be in his 50s, smiled with a gentle face and approached me.

“Oh, Hee-sung, the actor. Nice to meet you for the first time.”

He held out a thick hand and asked for a handshake.

“Hello, PD Park Moo-chan. I’m Jin Hee-sung.”

“Oh, of course, I know.”

He shook the hand he had clasped with mine and replied.

He exchanged brief greetings with Manager Kim as well.

“You must have had a hard time coming here, please sit down.”

At his words, Manager Kim and I sat opposite PD Park.

In front of us, PD Park, the writer, and some staff members sat and looked at me.

“Have you heard all about our documentary?”

At PD Park’s question, I smiled and replied.

“Yes, I thought the planning intention was very good.”

I looked at him and continued.

“And I was very honored and grateful that you wanted to film me in the actor’s seat.”

At my words, PD Park laughed heartily and said.

“My daughter was so actively recommending Hee-sung. My daughter is a huge fan of Hee-sung.”

At his words, I smiled brightly.

“Your daughter has an eye for talent, doesn’t she? Haha.”

At my jest, the meeting room quickly lost its awkward atmosphere and continued the meeting in a friendly atmosphere.

“That’s right. I quickly became a fan of Hee-sung thanks to my daughter’s sales pitch. Heh heh.”

“I’m so grateful.”

“Oh, no. Instead, please take a picture with me when you leave.”

At PD Park’s words, I nodded vigorously.

“What kind of request is that? I’ll take as many as you want.”

We exchanged stories in such a bright atmosphere.

As the awkwardness completely disappeared while sharing light stories.

We began to discuss the documentary in earnest.

“As you heard from the manager, the documentary we are making this time, ‘The Life of an Entertainer’, is about each field of broadcasting…”

PD Park explained the theme and purpose of the broadcast to me.

I concentrated without blinking an eye at his words.

His explanation continued for a long time.

As soon as his story ended, I gave strength to my eyes and nodded.

“I like it so much. I want to do it.”

At my words, the writers and staff, including PD Park, shook their heads as if relieved.

I asked PD Park a question.

“But you’re always following me to capture what my life is like, right?”

“That’s right. It’s to capture the scene after the camera turns off to capture the scene of acting.”

“Then I’m starting to film a drama soon, so are you going to keep filming during that schedule?”

At my question, Manager Kim opened his mouth as if to add an explanation.

“I sent the drama schedule to the writer last time.”

At Manager Kim’s words, the main writer scribbled with a pen and showed it to PD Park.

He opened his mouth and nodded.

“Yes, I checked Hee-sung’s schedule through the manager. Rather, I thought it would be better during the drama filming.”

“Ah… I guess so.”

The appearance of an actor when he is not acting.

So, if I have a schedule to act, I can capture that appearance better.

That’s why I thought it was the right time to film this documentary now.

PD Park wrinkled his nose and opened his mouth.

“But it’s only possible if the drama side OKs our documentary filming.”

At his words, I opened my mouth and shook my head.

It wasn’t something I could do just because I wanted to appear in this documentary.

I had to get permission to film from the director of ‘The Other Woman’s Temptation’, which I was going to be in this time.

Otherwise, there would be no footage to film for the documentary during the filming of that drama.

I looked at Manager Kim with a worried face and drooping eyebrows.

He scribbled in his diary with a pen and opened his mouth.

“I’ll check that and let you know right away.”

“Yes, if you check and contact us, we will adjust the schedule.”

***

“Hyung, what happens if the drama side refuses to film the documentary?”

I asked Manager Kim with a worried face and drooping eyebrows.

He wrinkled his nose and replied.

“If it doesn’t work out, we’ll only film during times other than drama filming… but honestly, since our drama schedule is long, we should assume that we can’t do the documentary.”

“Ah…”

“The documentary won’t be able to wait until our drama filming is completely over. They’ll have their own schedule.”

I let out a short sigh and rolled my lips in.

“But don’t worry too much. I’ve talked to them well…”

At that time, Manager Kim’s cell phone rang.

He widened his eyes and showed me the phone.

The call was from a drama official.

“Yes, hello. That’s right. Yes, yes. Of course. The documentary broadcast schedule is similar to the drama’s first episode airing, so there will definitely be a promotional effect. Yes.”

A smile spread across Manager Kim’s face as he talked on the phone.

He used his index finger and thumb to make an OK sign and showed it to me.

I was relieved by his gesture and focused on the call.

“Yes, then I will go into the company and deliver the details. Yes, goodbye.”

As soon as Manager Kim hung up the phone, he shouted at me.

“Hee-sung, it’s done!”

“Wow… it’s done?”

“Yeah, the director readily agreed. You’re the main character, and the documentary broadcast will be a great promotion for the drama.”

“That’s right. I’m glad they said okay right away.”

He turned his body and looked at me and said.

“Instead, pre-production is excluded, and we’ll start filming from the crank-in [the start of filming].”

“Then how long will the documentary filming be going on?”