An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 146

146. #27 – The Temperature of the Year-End (4)

Click, click—.

The shutter sounds didn’t stop.

Struggling not to close my eyes from the barrage of camera flashes,

I forced a wide smile.

“Kyaa, it’s Jin Hee-sung!”

“He’s so handsome!”

So many people.

I waved, bowed, and walked forward.

The red carpet stretched out before me.

Barely calming my frantically beating heart, I approached the photo zone.

Dozens of camera flashes were aimed at me, and before I knew it, the light was blinding.

But I couldn’t close my eyes or frown.

Because that’s how I’d appear in the articles.

I waved, maintaining the brightest expression possible.

“Please look to the right, Hee-sung.”

“Make a heart with your left hand.”

“Look at the front and give us a wink!”

I struck various poses according to the reporters’ requests.

Finally, Yoo Hyun-woo, the host of the red carpet, addressed me.

“Hello, Hee-sung. Please say a few words to the MBS viewers and fans who are watching live.”

I took the microphone from the staff and bowed.

“Hello, MBS viewers. I’m Jin Hee-sung from ‘The Other Woman’s Temptation’.”

“Yes, you’ve been nominated for the Best New Actor Award. How do you feel?”

He smiled brightly as he asked.

I bit my lip and hesitated for a moment.

Then, I smiled and brought the microphone to my mouth.

“First of all, whether I win or not, thank you for inviting me to this event [자리, a Korean word for ‘gathering’ or ‘occasion’]. There are so many talented nominees, so I’m not expecting anything.”

I looked directly at the main camera, smiled, and continued playfully.

“But if you give me the Best New Actor Award, I will accept it gratefully. Haha.”

Yoo Hyun-woo laughed and nodded.

“Hahaha, you played the hateful but unhateable cheating man in ‘The Other Woman’s Temptation,’ and you’re nominated for the Best New Actor Award. A bad man who shouldn’t be loved, but people couldn’t help but love him.”

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

As if agreeing with Yoo Hyun-woo’s words, flashes and camera shutters went wild.

“Do you realize how popular you are?”

“Well… when the drama was airing, I could feel it when I went to restaurants. In the early days, when they put down the side dishes, they would push them towards my group [일행, a Korean word for ‘company’ or ‘entourage’] instead of me. Haha.”

Yoo Hyun-woo laughed heartily.

“That’s right. In the beginning, the character was such a 바람남 [baramnam, a Korean slang term for ‘playboy’ or ‘womanizer’]. He was the worst character in the world, so even I would have glared at you if you came to my restaurant. How… did that make you feel bad?”

I smiled.

“No. The fact that they were so immersed and hated me made me feel good because it meant I portrayed the character effectively.”

Yoo Hyun-woo gave me a thumbs up.

“Great. Then, finally, please give a year-end greeting to the viewers and fans.”

“Yes, MBS viewers, you’ve worked hard this year. After working so diligently [달려오신 열심히, a Korean expression meaning ‘running hard’ or ‘striving diligently’], I hope you spend the rest of the year warmly with your family and loved ones.”

“We’ve been speaking with Jin Hee-sung, a nominee for the Best New Actor Award who heated up the small screen this year. We’ll see you again in the studio later. I hope you have good results.”

I bowed and was guided away by the staff.

My heart swelled as I walked, hearing the cheers around me.

***

This place is so brightly lit.

The MBS stage seemed bigger and grander than it looked on TV.

The fact that I was here, in a place I had only seen on TV every year, was finally sinking in.

“Wow….”

I looked around from the entrance, craning my neck.

As a nominee for the Best New Actor Award, I was one of the first to arrive.

The higher the award, the later the nominees arrived.

Only a few people were sitting in their seats yet.

Most were standing and greeting acquaintances in a relaxed atmosphere.

I stepped inside, feeling a little awkward [들어섰고 쭈뼛거리며, a Korean expression describing someone feeling shy or hesitant].

Turning my head, I looked for someone I knew.

“…Huh?”

I spotted someone in the distance.

My heart lifting, I hurried forward.

“Director!”

At my call, Director Jang Ho-cheol’s eyes widened, and he shouted [벌리고 입을 크게 뜬 채 소리쳤다, a Korean expression describing someone shouting with their mouth wide open].

“Oh, it’s our Hee-sung.”

“Director, how have you been?”

“Of course. I’ve seen you in various projects [작품, a Korean word for ‘works’ or ‘productions’] here and there. Haha.”

Director Jang and I had worked together on the movie ‘Became a Genius Salesman’.

That project wasn’t very successful.

Even with Choi Seo-bin, who was usually a guaranteed box office draw.

It was considered part of Kang Chan-sung’s jinx, as he always had poor results in movies, so it didn’t attract a huge audience.

Since then, Director Jang, who had always worked in Chungmuro [the center of the South Korean film industry, like Hollywood], had ventured into drama for the first time this year.

But because he was primarily a film director, the drama didn’t do well either.

Director Jang patted me on the shoulder.

“You worked with Seo-bin again this time?”

“Ah, that’s right.”

“That was a big hit, wasn’t it? It’s PBC broadcasting station, but they were also nominated, right?”

I lowered my voice.

“Yes, thankfully, I was nominated for the Popularity Award.”

“Hahaha, I’m so honored to have worked with such a successful actor.”

I waved my hand.

“No. I’m honored that you cast me back then. I was able to get this far because of you.”

“Oh, our Hee-sung is so humble and speaks so well, he’ll continue to rise in the future.”

“Thank you, Director.”

I shook his hand and bowed.

Then I spotted Seo In-woo in the distance and approached him.

“In-woo, you’re here?”

“Oh, aren’t you our Best New Actor? Haha.”

Seo In-woo playfully patted me, exaggerating his movements [쓰다듬었다 내 몸을 떨며 너스레를, a Korean expression describing someone being overly friendly and joking around].

“I’m just a nominee…!”

While we were laughing and talking,

Shin Min-young, wearing a white dress, entered and headed towards us.

It wasn’t just me who felt awkward around Shin Min-young.

No, Seo In-woo, her ex-boyfriend, was even more uncomfortable and distant than I was.

They were barely avoiding each other’s eyes.

I wanted to sit somewhere else, but I couldn’t.

Our names were listed in a row as ‘The Other Woman’s Temptation’ cast members.

Shin Min-young was next to me, and Seo In-woo was next to her.

Seo In-woo ignored her and continued talking to me.

“Honestly, who else would get the Best New Actor Award if not you, 선배 [sunbae, a Korean term for ‘senior’ or ‘older colleague’]? It’s definitely yours.”

“Okay, 인마 [inma, a Korean slang term, used informally between close friends].”

I hurriedly covered his mouth [막아냈다 그의 입을, a Korean expression for stopping someone from speaking].

Shin Min-young was also nominated for a Best New Actor Award.

Even if she and I didn’t have a good relationship, I didn’t want to have this conversation in front of her.

Because the results weren’t out yet.

As people started arriving, the place was buzzing.

Numerous actors, directors, and writers began to fill the seats.

Me, Seo In-woo, and Shin Min-young found our names and sat down.

At that moment.

“Hee-sung!”

Director Jang, who was still standing and talking in the front, reached out and called me.

Everyone’s eyes turned to me.

I jumped up and looked at him [벌떡 일어나 자리에서 바라보았다 그를, a Korean expression for quickly standing up and looking at someone].

“Yes, Director.”

“Just a moment.”

He waved his hand and gestured for me to come over.

I hurried over [서둘러 다가갔다 그에게, a Korean expression for quickly approaching someone].

Director Jang put his hand on my shoulder.

“Hee-sung, there’s someone I really want to introduce you to.”

“Ah… yes.”

Director Jang turned and gestured again.

“Actually, someone who wants to say hello to you asked me. Is that okay?”

I smiled brightly and nodded.

“Yes, that’s fine.”

Then, that person came to me.

Wearing a silk black dress, with her hair perfectly styled.

The moment I saw her face, I knew who she was.

“Hello. My name is Min Ji-hyun.”

“Ah, hello. My name is Jin Hee-sung.”

We exchanged awkward greetings.

She shyly asked for a handshake.

“I’m such a fan of yours, so I asked Director Jang, who I’m friendly with [친분 있다고, a Korean expression for having a close relationship with someone], to introduce me.”

“Oh, I’m a fan too. You filmed a drama with Director Jang this time, right? I enjoyed it.”

She covered her mouth with her hand, feigning surprise [틀어막으며 입을 손으로 놀란 듯 내게 물었다, a Korean expression for covering one’s mouth in surprise and asking a question].

“Oh my, you saw that too?”

“Of course. Director Jang filmed a drama, so of course I watched it. I enjoyed your acting too.”

She smiled brightly [배시시 웃으며 내게 말했다, a Korean expression for smiling brightly and saying something].

“I’ve been a fan since you did ‘The Watchmaker and the Dancer’ as a one-act play a long time ago….”

Min Ji-hyun started talking about my past projects [작품, a Korean word for ‘works’ or ‘productions’].

Director Jang removed his hand from my shoulder and disappeared as if he had been waiting for this moment [빼며 손을 어깨에서 내 마치 기다렸다는 듯 어느샌가 사라지고 없었다, a Korean expression for someone disappearing as if they were waiting for the opportunity].

“I’m really a fan, so I hope there will be a good opportunity to work together in the future.”

She said with sparkling eyes.

I smiled.

“I’d love that too. I hope we can work together next time.”

She fidgeted with her phone in her hand and looked around [만지작거리며 휴대 전화를 들린 손에 자신에 둘러보았다 주변을, a Korean expression for fidgeting with a phone and looking around].

I tilted my head, confused [갸웃거렸고 고개를, a Korean expression for tilting one’s head in confusion].

Min Ji-hyun bit her lip and carefully asked.

“Um, excuse me….”

“Yes, feel free to speak.”

She opened her phone screen and held it out slightly.

Avoiding my gaze, she spoke in a very small voice.

“Could you tell me your number?”

At Min Ji-hyun’s words, I quickly smiled and took her phone [올리며 입꼬리를 서둘러 들었다 전화를 그녀의 받아, a Korean expression for quickly smiling and taking someone’s phone].

“Ah, of course.”

I quickly saved my number and handed it back.

She smiled and nodded [보내며 눈웃음을 끄덕였다 고개를, a Korean expression for smiling with one’s eyes and nodding].

“Then I’ll see you again if I have a chance next time. I’ll be cheering for you to win the Best New Actor Award today.”

“Haha, thank you.”

After exchanging greetings with Min Ji-hyun,

I turned back to my seat [돌아오던 자리로 그때, a Korean expression for returning to one’s seat].

The actors were still arriving.

Among them, Song Yu-na entered.

A face I hadn’t seen in a long time.

Even when I was at HS Entertainment, I didn’t see her often.

After moving companies, I had even fewer opportunities to meet her.

Unless we were filming together, there was no chance to meet Song Yu-na at all.

We weren’t particularly close [막역하게 가까운 사이는, a Korean expression for being very close friends].

Still, I was happy to see a familiar face after so long.

Song Yu-na was holding a red, baggy dress and walking slowly.

As she approached,

I greeted her [건넸다 인사를 향해 그녀를, a Korean expression for offering a greeting to someone].

Usually, even if I greeted her happily, the response was cold and chilly.

But.

For some reason, she looked into my eyes and spoke.

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

A very ordinary answer.

I stared at her, surprised [바라보았다 그녀를 뜨고 동그랗게 눈을, a Korean expression for looking at someone with wide eyes].

It wouldn’t have been strange if she had just glanced at me and walked past.

I was surprised by her soft response.

It wasn’t a voice that was excited to see me [보고 나를 반가워하며 호들갑을 떠는, a Korean expression for being overly excited to see someone].

We started walking in the same direction.

I spoke to her [걸었다 말을 그녀에게 홀로, a Korean expression for speaking to someone].

“Yu-na, how have you been?”

“Yes… well, the same.”

“I heard you were nominated for the Best Actress Award this time. Congratulations.”

Song Yu-na shrugged and shook her head.

“It’s a drama I did in January, so I’m not expecting to win.”

“Still….”

Song Yu-na glanced at me as she walked.

“By the way, I enjoyed your acting in this drama.”

“…….”

It was the first time she had praised me.

My eyes widened [서둘러 입을 휘둥그레지며 눈이 열었다, a Korean expression for quickly opening one’s mouth and widening one’s eyes].

“Ah, thank you.”

Soon, we arrived at Song Yu-na’s seat.

She didn’t say another word, but quietly found her name and sat down [착석했다 자리에 조용히 이름을 찾아 자신의 채, a Korean expression for quietly finding one’s name and sitting down].

What?

She seemed more gentle than before.

Nothing would suddenly change her attitude towards me.

Is it just because it’s the end of the year?