An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 1

The Actor Who Lived for 10,000 Years (1)

Episode 1 #1 – Camera Shyness (1)

“Ugh, it’s cold.”

A sharp, icy wind blew fiercely, seeming to slice across my face.

I wanted to rest in the waiting bus, but I couldn’t.

As an unknown actor, I needed to make an impression on the set, even a small one.

I warmed my frozen hands and dove into the crowd of staff with a friendly face.

“Hello, Assistant Director!”

“Oh, Hee-sung, you’re here? Wait over there.”

“Yes, I understand!”

After greeting the assistant director, I went straight to the other staff members.

“Hello, I’m Jin Hee-sung!”

I greeted them warmly and reached for some equipment that was nearby.

“Let me help you.”

“It’s okay. That’s expensive, so don’t touch it carelessly.”

“Ah, okay. Sorry.”

I backed away at the warning.

Nevertheless, I didn’t lose heart and continued to greet the staff around the set.

I had been greeting people for nearly 30 minutes, but the only one who recognized me or remembered my name was the casting director.

Just one person.

It couldn’t be helped.

The role I played in this movie was a minor one.

It was a role close to being an extra.

However, I thought making a good impression would help me later, so I kept moving around, even if only for a short while.

At the age of 26, not having properly established myself and being a minor actor without an agency, I was desperate enough to grab at any straw.

However, not everyone understood my earnest feelings.

“Hey, you.”

“Yes?”

“You’re in the way, so go over there and rest.”

Despite the blunt attitude of the staff member, I could only respond with a smile.

“I’m sorry.”

I headed to the large bus in the parking lot, a little away from the set.

“Hello.”

I briefly bowed to the actors already on the bus as I entered.

Of course, no one greeted me warmly.

Most had indifferent expressions, and I was grateful if they even made eye contact.

It couldn’t be helped.

Being a minor actor like this is a job where you don’t have much leeway [margin for error or flexibility].

Especially if you’re managing everything alone without a manager, you can’t help but be more sensitive.

Even among minor actors, those with agencies wait in their personal vehicles instead of this bus, and seeing that can bring a sense of deprivation.

The call time is 4 PM.

There were only 30 minutes left until the pre-announced time.

But I would have to wait at least another hour or two.

While greeting the staff, I overheard that the lead team’s filming in Gyeonglidan-gil [a trendy neighborhood in Seoul] was being delayed.

Therefore, most of the actors were wearing earphones and leaning their heads against the window, or closing their eyes and trying to sleep with their arms crossed.

I hesitated for a moment before taking out the script from my bag.

I had already memorized the script perfectly, but there was no harm in checking it again.

My motto is that I have to put in more effort to make up for what I lack.

***

“We’re filming scene 43. Actors, please stand by!”

I woke up to the assistant director’s voice.

I jumped up from my seat and cleared my throat, which was hoarse from sleep.

“Yes, I’ll be out!”

I quickly looked in the mirror, tidied my hair, and got off the bus.

Darkness had already fallen on the set.

The time was 7 PM.

It was much later than I had expected.

Of course, no one, including the assistant director, apologized for the filming being delayed.

But I didn’t expect them to.

“Jin Hee-sung, come this way.”

“Yes!”

I answered energetically and ran quickly.

“Hee-sung, you know you have lines, right?”

“I’ve memorized them perfectly.”

Four lines.

It was only four lines, but I had stayed up all night practicing for several days.

I rehearsed them dozens, hundreds of times while working part-time, and I also prepared the emotional immersion like crazy.

I was really confident this time.

“It’s a short but important scene, so don’t make any NGs [No Good – filming term for a take that has to be redone].”

“Yes, don’t worry.”

“Okay. Get ready over there. We’ll start shooting right away.”

“Yes, Assistant Director.”

I mustn’t make a mistake this time.

I’ve missed so many opportunities that it’s hard to count them on my fingers.

I must seize it today.

“Hey, where’s Song Yu-na?”

Then, Director Choi Woo-ram, who was sitting among the staff, lashed out at the assistant director with a frustrated voice.

“She said she’d be back soon after changing her clothes, right?”

“Yes. She’s in the van now, so I’ll go check…”

Before he could finish speaking.

Drrrrk.

The door of the van in the distance opened, and a slender woman stepped out.

I couldn’t help but be captivated.

Song Yu-na.

The lead actress of this movie and one of the top stars of the current era.

“I’m sorry, Director. I was a little late fixing my makeup.”

The director, who had been annoyed just a moment ago, instantly smiled.

“No, no. We just finished preparing too. Shall we go right away?”

“Yes.”

The staff on set moved busily with her appearance.

Without anyone giving me a signal, I found my place on my own.

The role was to approach Song Yu-na, whose car had broken down on a rural road, and offer help.

“We’re going to take the first take of scene 43. Ready, action!”

Clap!

With the sound of the assistant director’s slate and the red light on the camera, filming began.

Song Yu-na, who had been aloof, instantly immersed herself in the script.

She stretched out her arm and waved desperately.

“Help me!”

I naturally stopped the car, got out of the driver’s seat, and opened my mouth.

“What’s wrong?”

“My car broke down. There’s smoke coming out, and I don’t know what’s wrong… Could you take a look?”

While I was examining Song Yu-na’s car, she was supposed to steal my car and run away.

“Yes, of course.”

As I walked towards her car, the dazzling lights began to shine on me.

At the same time, I noticed the many cameras turned on all around.

Instantly, my chest began to heave.

Damn it.

This damn camera shyness has returned.

I usually immerse myself so well and act so well, but my body acts up like this whenever I see a camera.

A headache rushed to my head.

My heart was pounding fast, and sweat began to seep from my hands.

“I think there’s something wrong with the engine?”

“If, if you open the hood, I’ll take a look.”

“Cut!”

Like a ghost, the director stopped filming.

“Hey, you there!”

As expected, his roar pierced my ears.

“Why are you suddenly lowering your voice?”

“I’m sorry.”

He frowned deeply and said.

“Do it properly.”

“I understand.”

“We’ll go again right away.”

The staff quickly ran over with the slate.

“We’re going to take the second take of scene 43!”

Thump. Thump. Thump.

My heart started beating even faster.

I was nervous because I had caused an NG.

I have to pull myself together.

How did I get this movie?

I slapped my cheeks to try and stay focused.

But instead of calming down, my hands started to shake.

Before I could calm down, I heard the sound of the slate again.

I got out of the driver’s seat at the assistant director’s signal and said my line.

“Wh, what’s wrong…”

Damn it.

I stuttered because I was too nervous.

As expected.

“Ah, cut! NG! What are you doing?”

The director shouted in an irritated voice.

“I’m sorry! I’ll do it again right away!”

However, since my camera shyness had returned, it wouldn’t get better without calming down.

The result after that was obvious.

The third take was also an NG.

The fourth and fifth were the same.

Eventually, actress Song Yu-na spat out with a frustrated voice.

“Ah, seriously…. What are you doing?”

“I’m sorry. I’ll do really well!”

In the sixth take, I barely managed to say the first three lines.

But the most important fourth line.

The easy sentence, ‘What are you doing? Stop right there!’

I changed it to ‘What are you? Stop there!’ on my own.

I bit my lip without realizing it.

I messed up again.

It’s just one line.

As expected.

“This, f*ck!”

The director jumped up from his seat and shouted.

“What are you doing!”

I flinched at the yelling.

His gaze was, of course, directed at me.

I immediately bowed 90 degrees and apologized.

“I’m sorry!”

“Did you come here determined to ruin the filming?”

“No, I’m sorry.”

“Who cast this guy?”

The director even threw the script he was holding and got angry.

“Get out of here right now.”

“…Yes?”

“Get out!”

He pointed outside and shouted.

“What kind of movie am I supposed to make with someone who can’t even project his voice? Get out of here right now?”

The casting director who had believed in me and picked me was also turning his head and looking away.

The assistant directors who had greeted me were also ignoring me and only watching the director’s mood.

I had no choice.

“…I’m sorry.”

I bowed my head and left the set.

***

Trudge, trudge.

Late at night, I walked weakly up the hill in Sillim-dong [a district in Seoul known for its affordable housing].

Whoosh-.

The icy wind blew painfully, brushing past the tip of my nose.

“Haaa.”

Each inhale and exhale filled my lungs with cold air.

With a black plastic bag in my right hand, I passed the high hill and arrived at my 5-pyeong (approx. 165 sq ft) nest in the one-room village.

“Ugh, it’s cold.”

I turned the boiler up to the maximum, then lowered it slightly, worried about the gas bill.

I sat on the floor, leaned against the bed, and took out a bottle of soju [Korean distilled rice liquor] I had bought earlier.

I felt like I couldn’t bear it today without alcohol.

I opened the lid and poured it into a glass.

As I took a sip, the bitter alcohol scent filled my mouth.

26 years old.

Frankly speaking, it’s a late age to be an aspiring actor.

Nevertheless, compared to actors who debuted late, it’s still an age where I can try enough.

I can see the light as much as I want.

If I’m young, I’m young enough.

Thinking about what happened today, I felt like I wanted to drink from the bottle.

“…I can’t do this.”

I shook my head and closed the soju lid, putting it back in the refrigerator.

It’s not like I’m acting for the first time, and I can’t do anything if I get frustrated with just this one thing.

There must be other works besides that one, right?

There’s another audition coming up, so I have to prepare for that.

I picked up one of the scripts piled up like a mountain in one corner of the room.

Of course, it wasn’t something that came directly to me.

It was a separate selection of audition parts from works that were holding official auditions in the actor’s cafe.

As I rummaged through the scripts one by one, a tempting role suddenly caught my eye.

The role of a soldier in a historical drama set in the Joseon Dynasty [Korean kingdom from 1392-1897].

It was a minor role with only four lines, but

-Royal Guard: The enemies targeting the princess are increasing.

-Princess: Is that certain?

-Royal Guard: Yes. I don’t know how long this place will be safe. You must move your residence quickly.

Princess: I don’t want to. You also know why I have to stay here. If I say I’ll stay here… if I do, what will happen?

-Royal Guard: However….

-Princess: I will stay here. Anyone who wants to leave is free to leave.

-Royal Guard: I… no, we will protect the princess. Surely…! That will be the case. (He picks up his sword and begins to survey the area around the princess.)

The royal guard next to the princess.

It was a short appearance, but it was a role worth challenging because it had enough merit with just one scene.

The audition date is next Wednesday.

It’s a schedule with plenty of time.

After applying online, I repeatedly read the script several times before falling asleep as if collapsing.

And on this day.

I had a special dream.