An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 265

265. #48 – What I Chose (2)

For hours, my phone rang incessantly, threatening to drain the battery completely.

I juggled the hot device and commented, “Wow, celebrity dating really sets off a frenzy.”

She chuckled at my remark. “Once a scandal erupts, it’s like this for days. But this isn’t just any scandal, and the involved parties have confirmed it… This will linger for a while.”

She flipped her phone over, concealing the screen.

Pouting slightly, she glanced at the box beside her. “I’m… hungry.”

Her words made me laugh, and I stood up. “You’re right. We haven’t even had dinner. Let’s eat.”

We decided to set aside our worries and focus on the present.

Just her and me.

This moment, just the two of us together.

The night was dark.

The only illumination came from the pension [a type of guesthouse common in Korea] and the crackling fire before us.

A cool breeze pleasantly enveloped our flushed faces.

We ate grilled meat and other food cooked over the open fire.

“This is so good!” Song Yoona exclaimed, her eyes wide as she blew on a piece of meat before popping it into her mouth.

We had completely forgotten the outside world.

After sharing our meal, we went inside to escape the chill.

Buzz.

My phone was still vibrating non-stop.

After a few hours, I checked it and saw a call from the ‘Go Anywhere’ team, not about the dating rumors, but something else entirely.

I answered.

Im Jooho’s voice filled my ear.

“Heesung, it’s Im Jooho.”

“Ah, yes.”

“We’re on break, so I wanted to call you. Did you get back okay?”

“Yes, but what’s going on…?”

“We’re about to start the after-party. I’m calling to let you know the location and time.”

“Pardon?”

“You said you’d attend the after-party earlier…”

His words triggered a memory from a few hours ago.

The spur-of-the-moment promise I made to escape the awkward situation.

It all came rushing back. “Ah….”

Im Jooho responded with an awkward chuckle and a gentle tone. “Since it was broadcast live, everyone knows you’re coming. It’s a live broadcast after-party with cameras…”

“Does Yoona have to come with me?”

“We’d be grateful if you both came, but it’s not mandatory… I’m just asking for your input.”

I bit my lip.

I couldn’t retract my on-air statement.

People were expecting me, some of whom were likely fans.

But attending the after-party while on a trip with Song Yoona wasn’t something I was eager to do.

“I’m sorry, can I think about it and call you back?”

“Of course.”

Song Yoona, who had overheard the conversation, shrugged and said, “Go to the after-party.”

“Are you coming, Yoona?”

“No. I don’t think I’d be able to say anything if I went….”

She waved her hand dismissively, huddling up.

“I have to… go, right?”

Both options presented their own set of concerns.

Without hesitation, she said, “If you’re okay with it, go. But don’t stay out too late!”

I bit my lip and nodded. “Okay. I’ll be right back.”

“Yeah, I won’t be able to tell our story on the broadcast, so please tell it well.”

* * *

“It’s an honor to have actor Jin Heesung at the after-party,” Im Jooho announced, clapping his hands in welcome.

“It’s nice to see you again. I’m actor Jin Heesung,” I said, bowing towards the camera.

A broadcast after-party, with everything being uploaded in real-time, causing the number of viewers to skyrocket.

The articles about Song Yoona and me had been released just hours ago.

They only contained my single statement: ‘We are seeing each other.’

Everyone was waiting for the rest of the story.

After a brief chat about recent events, Im Jooho cautiously broached the subject. “If you don’t mind, can I ask about Yoona…?”

It was the story everyone was waiting for.

I didn’t want to avoid it.

The dating rumor had already been confirmed by me, so hiding it was pointless.

In fact, if we remained silent, speculation would only intensify.

I wanted to tell our story directly, in my own words.

So it wouldn’t be distorted by lies.

“Of course.”

Jo Insoo quietly gave me a thumbs-up, nodding approvingly.

“You said on the broadcast earlier that you’re seeing Yoona. You’re admitting the dating rumors… right?”

I smiled and replied, “Of course.”

Im Jooho and Jo Insoo stared, wide-eyed and speechless.

“Oh, then can I ask when you two started dating?”

“That’s right. When did this amazing couple get together?”

I gave them an awkward smile. “Actually… it hasn’t been long at all.”

They looked at me in disbelief, assuming we had been dating for a while.

I laughed and looked directly at the camera. “Everyone… I just started dating Yoona. It’s only been a week.”

“Pardon?”

“Wow, really?”

I bowed my head apologetically. “Yes, so can you imagine how frustrated I am? I never expected to be caught like this after only a week.”

“Oh, you must have been surprised earlier,” Jo Insoo said.

I shrugged and sighed dramatically. “Of course, I was surprised. I thought you guys were threatening Yoona, so I rushed over.”

“Haha, us?”

“That’s right. You were all men in black clothes, so it looked intimidating.”

I nodded with a sullen expression. “Yes, so I seriously rolled up my sleeves and ran over… but then I saw all the cameras and realized everyone was watching… Haha.”

Laughter flooded the chat window.

-Noㅋㅋ Heesung hyung’s frustrated expressionㅋㅋ

-Wow, if it’s only been a week, it’s understandable that he’s frustratedㅋㅋ

-What is Jin Heesungㅋㅋ Was he always this funny?

-That expression and tone, perfect.

-Oppa, no, don’t goㅠㅠ

-Jin Heesung was really funny when he appeared on variety shows in the pastㅋㅋ

-I thought it was a serious dating reveal broadcast, but it’s so funnyㅋㅋ

-I was going to curse you for taking our Yoona, but I suddenly have a good feeling about youㅋㅋ

* * *

A few days later.

The dating rumors between Song Yoona and me continued to dominate the internet and social media.

The fact that I immediately admitted to the relationship in an interview only fueled the public’s interest.

At the same time, the Q-tube entertainment show, ‘Go Anywhere,’ that Song Yoona and I appeared on, recorded its highest viewership ever.

The show, which had been on Q-tube for a long time, typically averaged around 1 million views per episode.

But the edited version of the live broadcast featuring Song Yoona and me surpassed 1 million views in a single day.

And just two days later, it exceeded 5 million.

The view count was still climbing.

The video capturing the moment our relationship was revealed resonated with viewers.

People were amazed by the incredible, unplanned timing.

And my comments from the after-party were widely discussed.

I sighed as I read the comments. “Wow… the reaction is so much better when I relax and just be myself.”

In addition to the dating rumors, people were praising my wit.

-Why is Jin Heesung so funny when he talksㅋㅋ

-Jin Heesung is so likable.

-What is WG Entertainment doing? Let Jin Heesung do some variety shows.

-Jin Heesung’s sense of entertainment is hidden in his acting skills.

-Song Yoona would have fun if she dated Jin Heesungㅋㅋ

-He’s handsome and a good actor. He doesn’t even need to be wittyㅠㅠ Why are you so funny, oppaㅋㅋ [a Korean term used by women to refer to older brothers or male friends]

The reactions were overwhelmingly positive, and I smiled as I watched myself on screen.

It wasn’t my first time filming a variety show.

I had appeared on several, but I was always worried throughout the entire broadcast.

I felt pressured to perform well and avoid mistakes.

Those burdens made me avoid variety shows.

From some point on, I became reluctant to appear on entertainment programs, preferring acting.

I only appeared on programs when it was unavoidable for publicity.

Each time, I tried to hide my anxiety.

Occasionally, people would comment that I was funny or interesting.

But I didn’t seek out entertainment.

This feeling of ‘burden’ restricted me.

The pressure to achieve something in my job.

The expectation that an actor’s work must be successful.

I worked hard to achieve results, but it didn’t end there.

The number of viewers, the success of the movie or drama.

It was important whether it was a hit, so I couldn’t relax even after filming was over.

The things I had to worry about increased, and I constantly lived in anxiety.

That’s why I had considered retiring.

But as I tried to shake off this feeling, the job of an actor became interesting again.

I stroked my chin and smiled. “It’s fun… ?”

After watching myself on screen for a while, I felt a familiar fire rekindle in my heart.

“Acting… should I try again?”

I picked up my cell phone and called Kim.

“Hello?”

“Hyung, what are you doing?”

“I’m at the company. What’s wrong?”

“I… I was thinking of acting again.”

Kim sounded surprised, as if he hadn’t expected it. “Really? You’ve decided to act again?”

I could hear the joy in his voice.

“Yeah, I’ve been resting for a long time, so now I want to act.”

He laughed. “It hasn’t been that long of a break. Well, considering how little rest you had after finishing your last project, this has been a long break. Haha.”

“That’s right.”

“Heesung, then the contract renewal….”

“I have to. But there’s a condition. I want to have more say in choosing my projects.”

“Of course. I’ll talk to the higher-ups and get back to you. Everyone will agree. With your reputation, you can choose what you want to do. You have excellent judgment.”

“Thank you. Let me know when you’ve spoken to them, and I’ll come to the company.”

“Okay, and I’ll send you the new scripts that have been piling up in the meantime.”

“Okay.”

* * *

A week later.

The contract with WG Entertainment was renewed.

As soon as I signed the contract, I handed Kim a script.

“Hyung, I’m going to do this project from the scripts you sent me last time.”

He asked, surprised, “You’ve already read all those scripts?”

“Yeah. Here, the script.”

He clicked his tongue in admiration. “You started working and reading scripts without resting again. Amazing, as expected.”

Kim gave me a thumbs-up and examined the script I handed him.