An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 118

118 #23 – Between Trash and Masterpiece (1)

Gulp, gulp.

Choi Seo-bin gulped down a mug full of water in one go.

Thud.

He slammed it hard on the table.

“Haa….”

Choi Seo-bin let out a long sigh and walked straight to the living room with a view of the Han River.

He leaned back in the chair set up in front of the glass window to enjoy the view.

“Hee-sung, the more I think about it, the more resentful I feel, you know?”

He glanced at the ‘Blackman’ script sprawled on the sofa and continued.

“I sought out this project because I wanted to work with him so badly, and he’s turning it down?”

Choi Seo-bin squeezed his eyes shut and exhaled sharply through his nose.

“It’s not even that he’s thinking about it; he’s rejecting it outright….”

Beep, beep, beep.

Just then, his cell phone rang.

Choi Seo-bin was startled for a moment, flinching and looking around.

Then, looking at the wall clock, he said,

“Who’s calling at this hour?”

The clock was approaching 11 p.m.

He watched the Han River, dark but sparkling with various lights.

He slowly rose from his seat, watching the lights of dozens of cars moving around it.

The phone kept ringing incessantly.

Choi Seo-bin picked up his cell phone.

[Caller: Junior Im Ha-joon]

He tilted his head, looking at the caller ID.

“Why is Im Ha-joon calling at this hour….”

Choi Seo-bin pressed the receive button and immediately moved to lean back in his chair again.

“Hello?”

-Hello, Senior. This is Ha-joon.

Im Ha-joon’s voice was bright.

Choi Seo-bin raised his eyebrows and replied to him.

“Oh, I know.”

-Am I calling too late?

“No, you’re not.”

-I suddenly thought of you, Senior, so I called. How have you been?

“I’m good. How about you?”

-Yes, I thought I would be able to work with you on my comeback project back then, but it was canceled at the last minute, so I was very disappointed.

“I know, right? Maybe there will be another chance next time.”

-Yes, I hope so. Haha. What have you been up to these days, Senior?

“Me? I’m preparing for a project.”

-You did a project not too long ago, and you’re already doing another one. You’re amazing as always.

“Haha, amazing is an overstatement.”

-So, have you decided on a project?

At Im Ha-joon’s words, Choi Seo-bin smiled and turned his head.

“I’ve decided….”

The ‘Blackman’ script came into view.

Choi Seo-bin paused because of the script.

Then, he asked Im Ha-joon a question.

“Ha-joon, what are you doing?”

-I’m unemployed right now. I haven’t picked a comeback project yet. I need to make a comeback soon, so I’m working hard to choose one.

At Im Ha-joon’s words, one corner of Choi Seo-bin’s mouth slightly lifted.

“Clear some time next week.”

Im Ha-joon seemed quite surprised by Choi Seo-bin’s firm words, and he raised his voice.

-Yes? Is there something going on?

“Let’s go see the director with me.”

Soon, Choi Seo-bin’s lips twisted into a smile.

***

“So, did things end well with Seo-bin?”

Kim asked about the ‘Blackman’ project.

I pursed my lips and nodded.

“Yeah, I don’t think it’ll work out, no matter how I think about it. You thought so too, right, hyung [older brother or close male friend]?”

“That’s right. Working with Seo-bin is great, but we can’t just ignore the project and your role, no matter what.”

At Kim’s words, I shook my head and replied.

“I think Seo-bin might be upset that I turned him down… but I couldn’t help it.”

“Yeah, you can’t just accept every favor out of friendship.”

Kim looked at the scripts on the table and continued.

“Especially going into that project is a bit much.”

There was a moment of silence between us.

Kim and I stared at the scripts scattered on the table.

Numerous scripts.

Anyway, there was only one thing to do now.

Looking at new scripts and finding a project.

Rejecting Choi Seo-bin’s offer was already in the past.

In the end, I had to find a new project to do the next thing.

“Shall we quickly look for a script then?”

I said to Kim, scanning the titles of the scripts.

He shook his head vigorously and replied.

“Yeah, we need to find one quickly and get started.”

Kim looked at the scattered scripts one by one and sorted them by genre.

Before he could sort them, I picked up the script at the very front.

“I’ll read this one first.”

“Okay.”

About ten minutes passed.

The pages of the script were turning quickly, but.

There were no special emotions.

It felt like I was just reading a book with a blank mind.

I was reading a novel, but there was no interest, just progress.

Without making any more progress.

I closed the script.

Already, one script after another that didn’t meet my standards was piling up.

“I should read the next one.”

As I picked up the next script on the desk, Kim also picked up a different script from me.

He didn’t seem interested in the first script either.

After that, we didn’t exchange a word.

We focused on the script for a long time.

Already, it was dark outside the window.

But inside the practice room with bright lights, we were so busy finding a good project that we didn’t even know how much time had passed.

Moreover, I couldn’t find a project that I liked, so I was busy relaxing my furrowed face and stiff body.

Kim was also stretching his shoulders and neck, flipping through the pages of the script.

Before I knew it, the scripts were piled high on one side.

They were already projects that had been eliminated from my mind.

Both of us looked exhausted.

But I couldn’t give up on this process.

It wasn’t something that would be solved by time, but something that would continue until I found a project.

I quickly opened the next script.

After shrugging my shoulders once, I read the first chapter with a new mindset.

“Huh?”

I twitched my eyebrows for a moment as I read the first chapter.

And the pages turned as if I was possessed.

Unknowingly, I swallowed hard and bit my lip.

This script was so immersive.

Due to the nature of the script, which is only visible in text, not video.

I drew the contents in my head.

In a realistic situation, sweat was already forming on my hands.

“Wow….”

On some pages, I even experienced goosebumps all over my body, not just on my arms.

My breathing was getting faster.

I closed the last page in an anxious mood.

I quickly turned the script back to the beginning and checked the project.

‘The Other Woman’s Seduction.’

It was a drama by Director Song Dong-gyu and writer Kim Han-na.

As I stared blankly at the first page of the script, Kim asked with a frown.

“What is it? Did you find a good project?”

As soon as he finished speaking, I nodded.

Then, with an excited face, I tapped the script and said.

“Hyung, this is amazing.”

“Oh, what is it?”

“The content is amazing, but by the way, the person who wrote this is writer Kim Han-na. Isn’t this writer very famous?”

I asked him with an excited face.

But Kim’s face contorted for a moment at my words.

What’s wrong?

I tilted my head at his expression.

Kim raised his chin and looked at the title of the script.

“That’s true, but….”

His expression was subtle.

Kim made a ‘tsk’ sound and shook his head slightly.

“But that project, isn’t it a bit… not good?”

It was the only script I liked among the ones I had read for several hours.

I waved my hand and held out the script.

“This is amazing, hyung. Have you read it?”

“No, I just passed on that script.”

“Why?”

Kim pointed to the words ‘Writer Kim Han-na’ with his finger and replied.

“That writer was a bit controversial.”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

He nodded and replied.

“I guess so. It was before you debuted, Hee-sung.”

Kim pursed his lips and continued.

“Back then, there was some talk about Kim Han-na cheating [plagiarism].”

“Ah….”

I sighed at his words and opened the script again.

But even so, the content of the script stole my whole heart.

“Hyung, but this is amazing even if I read it again. It’s really crazy, this is.”

When I said to him with sparkling eyes, Kim raised his eyebrows and said.

“Hey, get a grip.”

“What do you mean?”

My eyes widened at his words.

“Hee-sung, look properly. That’s a *makjang* drama [over-the-top, sensational drama].”

I bit my lip at Kim’s firm voice and replied.

“That’s true, but….”

***

The savory smell of soybean paste stew wafting through my nose.

Tightening my tie, I sniffed at the smell.

Sniff, sniff.

The smell of various foods lingered around my nose.

Wait a minute.

I could tell right away.

That this place is a dream.

“Honey, eat before you go.”

I looked in the mirror, tied my tie.

I put on my jacket and grabbed my bag.

“I can’t. I told you I have a big trial this morning.”

“Still, have at least one spoonful before you go.”

I frowned at my wife and replied.

“I told you clearly yesterday. I don’t have time for breakfast.”

“That’s why I prepared it early on purpose, with your favorite soybean paste stew….”

At her words, I sighed in succession.

“Haa… You eat it yourself. I don’t have the energy to argue from the morning. Stop it.”

After a small argument with my wife from early in the morning.

I opened the door to the master bedroom, and the scenery of the living room unfolded before my eyes.

Clothes scattered on the sofa.

Cushions and dust rolling on the floor.

A sigh escaped on its own.

When I turned my head, she was standing in front of the table with a sullen face.

I opened my mouth to her.

“I appreciate you making food for me from the morning. But clean the house. I told you to call an expert if you can’t do it.”

“Ugh, I can clean it. Why spend money on that.”

She shrugged and said.

“We don’t have kids, why are you making such a mess of the house? There’s a limit to me cleaning it after coming home from work.”

“Hey, it’s because my honey is good at cleaning.”

I was speechless at her words.

“I’m meeting my classmates today, you’re coming home for dinner, right?”

“Haa… Meeting your classmates again?”

“Yeah, so….”

Hating to argue with my wife, I squeezed my eyes shut and handed over my card.

“Don’t pay for everything when you meet your classmates. You say it’s a waste of money to call an expert to clean the house, but you don’t mind spending money on playing and buying luxury goods?”

“Because you’re a successful husband… Anyway, I won’t do that today. It’s getting late, go to work quickly.”

I left for work in an unpleasant mood due to the argument with my wife that had continued from the morning.

“Haa….”

A series of sighs came out.

I hurried onto public transportation to avoid being late.

Public transportation was the fastest, not a car or taxi.

A woman with long wavy hair sitting next to me.

She kept glancing at me.

What is it, is she looking at me?

Or is she looking at the documents in my hand?

I tilted my head and turned my gaze when.

“Excuse me….”

She spoke to me in a kind and gentle voice.

“Yes, me?”

“Are you perhaps Prosecutor Choi Seok-hyun?”

“How did you know….”

“Oh my, hello. You used to give lectures at Ilhwa Women’s University, right?”

Smiling brightly, she clapped her hands and welcomed me.

“Ah, that’s right.”

“I heard that the prosecutor was coming at that time, so I asked an acquaintance to let me see you. It’s so nice to meet you like this.”

She smiled brightly and rummaged through her bag, handing me a business card.

“My name is Yoon Seol-ha. It’s amazing that we met like this, and I’m a really big fan. Can I come see the prosecutor sometime?”

“Haha, thank you. But you’re coming to see me?”

Yoon Seol-ha raised the corners of her lips and nodded her head greatly.

“Yes! I have something to ask and something I want to say.”

At that time.

The bus arrived in front of the courthouse.

I quickly received her business card and replied.

“Yes, then let’s meet next time.”

“Let’s definitely see each other.”

Yoon Seol-ha said, raising her bright red lips long.

Throughout the walk after getting off the bus,

Yoon Seol-ha’s smile and the antique fragrance lingered in my nose.

Her face, which seemed familiar from somewhere.

Her bright and gentle impression kept coming to my mind clearly.

I quickly shook my head.

A rapidly beating heart.

Whether it was beating because I was running up the stairs, or because of Yoon Seol-ha, who kept coming to my mind.

I bit my lip at this strange feeling that I was feeling for the first time.

Then, I took out Yoon Seol-ha’s business card from my pocket and stared blankly at it.

Then, I raised my head and read the letters of the courthouse, and then squeezed my eyes shut.

I opened my closed eyes.

Before my eyes, Choi Seok-hyun was holding a glass of alcohol.

This dark place.

The small lights that can be seen in the middle heighten the atmosphere of this place even more.

The whiskey placed in front of me.

The soft music flowing out.

Even that smile of Choi Seok-hyun looking at me intently.

It was exactly the feeling I wanted.

“Seol-ha, when we first met on the bus….”

I put my index finger on Choi Seok-hyun’s mouth.

Slowly shaking my head, I replied to Choi Seok-hyun.

“Our prosecutor… really, do you think that the first time I saw the prosecutor was on that bus?”

“What do you mean?”

I slightly raised the corners of my red lips and slowly stroked his arm from his shoulder.

“Prosecutor… no, can I call you *oppa* [term of endearment used by a younger woman to an older man] now?”

At my words, Choi Seok-hyun licked his lips with his tongue and nodded.

“Of course.”

“I… I have a lot to say to *oppa*….”