An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 197

197. Hollywood (10)

The scenes from the 9/11 terrorist attacks I saw in my dreams…

James’s script evoked similar feelings.

But even while reading it, I felt a persistent unease.

It didn’t align with the events of my dreams.

Only the 9/11 theme was the same; the roles were vastly different.

In my dream, I was an ordinary person inside the building, not a terrorist.

James’s script offered me roles as either a regular person in the building or a terrorist.

And the terrorist role was overwhelmingly more prominent.

As always, I believed playing a regular person, mirroring my dream, would be a massive success.

But since this was my Hollywood debut, I leaned towards the terrorist role, which offered greater visibility.

If I ended up as just a minor actor with a small part,

there would be little point in coming all the way from Korea.

Yet, the dream’s content lingered, causing unease.

So, I was choosing James’s movie.

And practicing for the terrorist role, suppressing the memory of the role I saw in my dreams.

Being scouted by Hollywood only to face an audition against a Japanese actor.

Everything felt fraught with worry.

However, Director Jeffrey’s project was entirely different.

There was only one Asian character.

The role was significant, almost as important as the lead.

Most importantly, the 9/11 theme perfectly matched the role I envisioned in my dream.

“This is fate!”

I felt there was no reason to hesitate.

I didn’t want to compete with a Japanese actor under Director James’s direction.

Competing in a Korea-Japan showdown felt unpleasant as a Korean.

Winning would be a Pyrrhic victory [a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat].

Losing would fill me with anger and invite criticism from fans.

But I wasn’t avoiding it solely out of fear of criticism.

If I were that cautious, I would have avoided countless opportunities in the entertainment industry.

Besides, if Director James had explained this situation before I arrived in Hollywood, I wouldn’t have felt so disappointed.

But he made it sound like the role was confirmed as soon as I accepted.

It felt like he only wanted to check my English pronunciation through a screen test.

I felt deceived.

I didn’t want to pour my heart into a project where I didn’t even like the role.

No, I simply couldn’t.

After weighing the script and various factors, time slipped away.

Before I knew it, a day in LA was ending.

I hurried to find Manager Kim before it was too late.

I didn’t want to make this decision alone.

“Hyung [an honorific used to address an older brother or male friend], I need to talk to you.”

“Did you read Director Jeffrey’s script?” Manager Kim, knowing I’d received it from Brian, approached with a concerned expression.

“Yeah.”

He seemed to anticipate my answer, settling into a seat across from me, prepared for a lengthy discussion.

“Hyung, I don’t think I should go to Director James’s audition tomorrow. No, I’m not going.”

“What?”

Manager Kim’s eyes widened at my firm declaration, which lacked any hint of uncertainty.

“Hyung, think about it. Me in Director James’s movie with a Japanese actor…”

I calmly explained my reasons for rejecting Director James’s project.

And why I wanted to pursue Director Jeffrey’s instead.

Manager Kim listened intently, offering no immediate opinion, before finally nodding.

“I understand. Let’s discuss it with the company and see what they say. Shouldn’t we decide after seeing the audition first?”

I understood Manager Kim’s perspective.

Canceling Director James’s audition to pursue Director Jeffrey’s, especially on such short notice, was a difficult decision.

But my mind was made up.

“No. I don’t want either of the roles in Director James’s project.”

“Hee-sung, you might get cast as the terrorist villain you wanted. The audition is tomorrow, so wouldn’t it be better to decide after seeing if you get the villain role…”

I shook my head.

And tried to persuade Manager Kim.

“What if a Japanese actor gets that role?”

“That’s… no. I believe in you, Hee-sung.”

At Manager Kim’s words, I avoided his gaze and closed my eyes tightly.

Our perspectives were too different.

Manager Kim and I fell silent, lost in thought.

After a moment, I slowly opened my eyes and looked at Manager Kim.

“Hyung, trust me.”

He stared at me without responding.

“Even if I get the villain role in Director James’s project, I don’t want to do it.”

Manager Kim regarded me quietly.

Then, as if reaching a decision, he bit his lip and nodded.

“Then I’ll contact the company and 22nd Century Fox first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you, Hyung.”

“I understand your reasoning, and I think you’re right. But I was worried because the audition is tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. That’s why I thought we needed to decide quickly and decisively.”

“I’ll trust your choice. Hee-sung, your choices have always been right.”

Manager Kim stood up, looked at me, and smiled.

Then, he showed me his cell phone.

“I’ll contact the company as soon as possible. How do I reach Director Jeffrey’s team?”

“I’ll handle that!”

“Okay.”

Manager Kim took his cell phone and went to another room.

I called Brian.

***

The next morning.

As soon as dawn broke, Manager Kim notified 22nd Century Fox that I would not be attending the audition.

Simultaneously, a message arrived from Brian.

Beep beep.

-Jin, I’ve scheduled a meeting with Director Jeffrey. He’s available today. The address and time are….

Brian sent the location and time of the meeting.

Another alarm rang, and a text message arrived.

-Good luck. Always your friend and fan, Brian.

A smile spread across my face.

“Hyung, I’ve scheduled a meeting with Director Jeffrey.”

Manager Kim nodded.

“Yeah, I contacted 22nd Century Fox to let them know we won’t be at the audition.”

“I’ll get ready quickly.”

“Okay. I’ll get ready too.”

Manager Kim and I quickly prepared and left the hotel.

On the way to meet Director Jeffrey, I reviewed the script and rehearsed my lines.

Manager Kim, sitting beside me, wore a serious expression, lost in thought.

“Hyung, what’s wrong? What is it?”

He forced a smile.

“Um… I’m worried about canceling on them the day of the audition.”

“But we had no choice. It would be worse to contact Director James or Hiroto [Japanese name] after passing the audition.”

He nodded.

“That’s true. But I think Director James will be furious when he hears the news.”

Manager Kim anticipated James’s anger.

He seemed less concerned about James’s feelings and more worried about potential repercussions from 22nd Century Fox and James.

I shrugged.

“Director James was the one who tried to pull a fast one, not me.”

Manager Kim nodded slowly.

“Hyung, let’s not worry too much. It’s okay; this is my choice.”

He closed his lips and looked at me.

“Let’s focus on the meeting with Director Jeffrey.”

Manager Kim frowned and made a hissing sound.

“I’m worried that Jeffrey might reject you… I can’t help but worry about that too.”

He had a point.

Brian and Director Jeffrey weren’t the same.

Brian had simply recommended me to Director Jeffrey, a friend.

It wasn’t as if Director Jeffrey had sought me out and asked Brian to connect us.

But after Brian’s introduction, Director Jeffrey agreed to meet me.

Now, whether I worked on Director Jeffrey’s project or faced rejection depended on my performance.

It was up to me to impress him.

So, even if I didn’t get the part, I wouldn’t regret skipping Director James’s audition.

Because it was my decision.

If I were rejected, it wouldn’t be anyone’s fault but my own.

It would be due to my lack of acting skills.

I smiled and shrugged.

“If that happens, I can always come back to Hollywood later.”

Manager Kim tilted his head.

“Do you really think so?”

I nodded firmly.

“Yeah, I want to work with people who recognize and respect my worth, not those who treat me poorly.”

Manager Kim nodded repeatedly.

“That’s right.”

“And as I said yesterday, if I do Director James’s project, I might be tormented throughout filming.”

***

Knock knock.

Five seconds before meeting Director Jeffrey.

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding.

“Yes, come in.”

Director Jeffrey’s kind voice called from inside.

“Hello, I’m actor Jin Hee-sung.”

I approached Director Jeffrey with Manager Kim.

He greeted us with a warm smile.

“Oh, actor Jin Hee-sung. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, Director.”

“Was it hard to find your way here?”

Jeffrey led us to our seats and asked kindly.

“Yes, it was my first time in LA, so I didn’t know the way, but I followed the map on my cell phone. Haha.”

“You’ve worked hard. How many days have you been in LA?”

Jeffrey and I exchanged pleasantries, easing the initial awkwardness.

After a few minutes, we began to discuss the project and how we came to meet.

“So, what happened with Director James’s project?”

Director Jeffrey inquired about his rival’s work.

I hesitated, unsure of his opinion of Director James.

“Originally, today was the audition.”

He looked at me, surprised.

“So, did you go?”

“No. I contacted them this morning to say I wouldn’t be attending.”

“Really?”

A subtle smile appeared on his face.

“Yes, I wanted to work with you, Director Jeffrey. So I gave up the audition and came here.”

Director Jeffrey burst into laughter.

“Hahaha, James must be stunned!”

He continued to chuckle, amused by the situation.

He calmed down and returned to the project.

“From what I’ve heard from Brian, you seem like a good person.”

“Thank you for seeing me in a good light.”

“I’m the one who’s thankful. And if it’s Brian’s recommendation, I trust him implicitly.”

Their relationship seemed strong.

“Shall we take a look at the script?”

Jeffrey began to assess my acting and English pronunciation.

Prepared, I nodded.

“Yes, of course.”

“Can I see you perform this page?”

“Of course.”

I quickly immersed myself in the role and gave a short performance.

After a few minutes, Jeffrey clapped, satisfied.

Clap clap clap-.

“Wow, your acting and pronunciation are excellent.”

“Thank you.”

He smiled.

“Actually… I also watched your New York theater video. Your acting skills were already合格 [gō gé – Chinese for ‘qualified’ or ‘passed’] even then.”

I widened my eyes.

He stood up and extended his hand for a handshake.

“Let’s work together!”