An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 176

176. Opportunity Like Destiny (8)

“Haaam….”

I covered my mouth with my hand as I yawned widely and got into Chief Kim’s car, who was waiting for me.

Chief Kim chuckled at my appearance and asked.

“Hee-sung, are you tired?”

At his words, I quickly closed my mouth and replied.

“No, it’s just that the filming is nearing its end, so my body is a little weary.”

“It’s natural to be tired. But let’s hang in there a little longer. We’re really seeing the end now.”

We hurried to the set.

The set no longer had the bustling atmosphere it had a few days ago.

No, rather, as the days went by, it felt quieter and emptier.

The filming was slowly heading towards its end.

So, starting with the minor actors, filming gradually ended, and they left for Seoul, not just going home after work, but finishing their part in the filming.

I got out of the car and looked around.

“It seems like even more people are gone today?”

At my words, Chief Kim also nodded and looked around the set.

“Yeah. I heard that all the minor actors, except for those with a few last cuts to film, have returned to Seoul.”

As I nodded with a hint of regret at his words, Chief Kim put his hand on my shoulder and said.

“I heard that all the minor actors you were close to have finished filming, right?”

At Chief Kim’s words, I raised my eyebrows and replied.

“Yeah, Min-gyu came yesterday to say goodbye, telling me that their filming was over.”

“Hee-sung, you still have a few days of filming left, but all the actors you hang out with are gone?”

I immediately opened my mouth at his words.

“Yeah, there aren’t any actors left now. Well, since it’s the final stretch, I should work harder and finish filming quickly.”

Chief Kim smiled and patted my shoulder.

Now, only the main actors, Song Yu-na and I, were left.

And a few supporting actors remained here in Namwon, but we were a small group, so we worked together even harder!

“Okay, now that only veteran actors are left, let’s go for a quick shoot without any NGs [no-good takes, meaning perfect shots without errors].”

“Yes.”

“Ready, action!”

The filming continued all day without any NGs or major issues.

With the minor actors gone, most of the scenes were with me.

Thanks to that, filming continued without any breaks.

I didn’t want the filming to be delayed because of my mistakes, so I focused even more on the filming.

“You’ve worked hard today.”

A long day ended, and I was on my way back to the accommodation.

“Huh? Is there only one bus going to the pension now?”

I pointed to the large bus parked in the parking lot and asked.

Chief Kim raised his head high, looked at the bus, and replied.

“Yeah, there aren’t many people going to the pension now. If it’s just the staff and equipment, one bus should be enough, right?”

“Wow, it’s really getting empty.”

We left the bus, which was loading luggage, behind and headed to the hotel.

The quiet atmosphere here couldn’t be erased either.

Of course, there weren’t any minor or supporting actors at the hotel in the first place.

But they always came to see me after work.

Especially Kim Min-gyu, Park Cheol-min, and Son Seong-jin, who had already built a friendship with me, wanted other minor actors to become friends with me as well.

I didn’t dislike those gatherings, so there were always minor actors waiting for me in the hotel lobby.

We didn’t do anything particularly great together.

We just shared our life stories and sought advice from me.

And while I listened to their concerns, I also gained a lot from them.

So, that time was quite interesting and meaningful to me.

But now, looking at the empty lobby, I could only nod.

With a script in one hand and a soft drink instead of beer in the other, I passed through the lobby and headed to the elevator.

“…It’s quiet.”

I soon arrived at my hotel room.

I threw my tired body onto the bed.

The room was as still as the lobby.

But I couldn’t stay lying on the bed for even 10 seconds and jumped up.

“This is not the time for me to be doing this.”

The faces of the supporting and minor actors flickered before my eyes.

And the way they worked harder than anyone else and did their best.

Especially the minor actor Kim Min-gyu, who seemed like I was looking at my past self.

It wasn’t that I wanted to spend time with them again.

It wasn’t a thought that came from boredom either.

It was just that I wanted them to do well, that was all.

And if I wanted them to do better than they are now, there were plenty of things I could do to help.

That was to make this project we were working on together a success.

Instead of one actor becoming exceptionally famous, if the work itself becomes a hit, the actors in that work will naturally be talked about.

In the mouths of the audience, in the articles of reporters.

And to get them noticed by numerous agencies, I thought this work had to be a huge success.

What I can do now to make the work successful.

It was only practice.

Of course, if a minor actor does his best in his position, it will help the work.

But I, as the main actor, will have the biggest impact on the success of the work.

“Let’s do well… to make everyone do well!”

***

“Cut, okay!”

Director Hong’s sign rang out.

At the same time, applause and cheers erupted on the set.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Everyone worked hard.”

“Thank you so much for your hard work.”

The final filming of the drama ‘Doctor’ received a pleasant okay sign.

And so, the filming that had been going on in Namwon for several months finally came to an end.

Everyone was busy clapping and exchanging final greetings with each other.

Director Hong and I hugged each other and exchanged heartfelt greetings.

“You’ve worked hard, Director.”

“No, I enjoyed filming thanks to Hee-sung. You’ve worked hard.”

He patted my shoulder, which he had embraced.

We all gathered in front of the final filming location to take commemorative photos.

“Okay, let’s take a picture and wrap up.”

“Yes!”

Click-.

With that one photo, we moved our feet to head to Seoul, leaving behind our regretful hearts.

“You’re not having a wrap-up party in Namwon, are you?”

At the supporting actor’s question, Director Hong smiled and replied.

“Hey, haven’t we been to almost every restaurant in Namwon by now? Haha.”

“That’s true.”

“Let’s all have a company dinner together after the production presentation in Seoul.”

“Sounds good.”

‘Doctor’ was a pre-produced drama, so it hadn’t aired yet.

Moreover, the date for the production presentation hadn’t been set yet.

We promised that day and moved our feet to our respective vehicles.

“Hee-sung, let’s take a picture with us too.”

Some of the staff gathered around and asked for a photo.

I smiled and took commemorative photos with them.

“Wow, can you take a picture with us too?”

While taking pictures, other staff members came up to me and said.

“Of course, come on over.”

While taking pictures with the staff and posing, there was someone standing awkwardly next to the people gathered to take pictures.

It was Song Yu-na.

‘What is it? Song Yu-na wouldn’t be the type to ask me to take a picture with her….’

I wondered as I looked at her.

Soon, I changed my pose and smiled in front of the camera.

A moment later.

“Thank you. Go up carefully, and see you at the production presentation next time.”

I bent my waist towards them.

Song Yu-na glanced at me out of the corner of her eye.

But since there were no other words, I just sent her a nod and headed to Chief Kim.

Chief Kim got out of the car and was waving at me.

I also waved my hand in the air, looking at him.

“Hyung [older brother/male friend]!”

“Yeah, everything’s ready. Come quickly.”

I nodded at his words and headed to the car.

Since many actors had already left, the parking lot was empty.

As I looked around the empty parking lot and walked towards Chief Kim,

“Excuse me….”

Someone called me in a very small voice.

Surprised by the voice, I turned around.

At the end of my gaze, Song Yu-na was standing there, rolling her eyes.

I had a feeling that she kept hovering around me since earlier, so I asked her.

“Yu-na, do you have something to say to me?”

“Yes?”

“I thought you were waiting next to me since we were taking pictures earlier, don’t you have something to say?”

At my words, she shook her head violently with a startled face.

“No, I don’t?”

At her words, I tilted my head and asked.

“Then why….”

Before I could finish my words, Song Yu-na glanced at me and quickly turned around.

She walked towards her car as if she was running.

I frowned at her actions because I didn’t understand.

And Chief Kim, who was listening to our conversation, also raised his eyebrows and approached me.

“What’s going on?”

Chief Kim looked at Song Yu-na’s back and asked me.

I shrugged my shoulders instead of answering.

“Yu-na… she’s a bit strange, isn’t she?”

At his words, I burst into laughter and replied.

“She was always strange.”

At my words, he shook his head with a serious face, not a smile.

“No, that’s not it. I think she’s been acting differently than usual lately.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, how should I say it… she feels a bit broken?”

At his words, I ended up laughing.

“Haha, broken?”

“I’m serious. Lately, I get a strong feeling that she’s a bit clumsy.”

At Chief Kim’s words, I tilted my head, thinking about Song Yu-na all this time.

“Yesterday too….”

Chief Kim was talking to me but quickly closed his mouth.

“What happened yesterday?”

When I asked, Chief Kim cut me off by nudging me with his hand.

Then, he seemed to point behind me with his chin.

“Why, what is it?”

I turned my head following Chief Kim’s gaze.

Song Yu-na, who had returned, handed me two large shopping bags full of both hands and said.

“This.”

“Yes? What is this?”

“Just take it.”

***

“Hee-sung, so what did Yu-na give you?”

Inside the running car.

Chief Kim looked at me through the rearview mirror and asked.

“That’s right. I should check it.”

The two shopping bags that Song Yu-na gave me.

She wouldn’t let me check inside in front of her, so the shopping bags were still safely placed next to me.

I turned my body and opened one of the shopping bags.

Inside, there was a large box.

I could tell right away without looking at the contents.

“…It’s herbal medicine.”

“Huh?”

Chief Kim asked me with a surprised face.

I looked at the box with the unique herbal medicine and read the words written on it.

“It says it’s good for the joints. It’s herbal medicine.”

Chief Kim raised the corners of his mouth and said.

“The last time you saved her, you hurt your shoulder. So, I guess it’s a gift to thank you.”

“I guess so. It’s nice of her to give me herbal medicine.”

Chief Kim nodded and raised his eyebrows.

“But didn’t you have another shopping bag?”

“That’s right. What is this….”

I put the shopping bag next to it on my lap and carefully took it out.

“What is this?”

Inside, there was another box.

When I opened the box, there was a large massager inside.

Thanks to the signal, Chief Kim turned his body and looked at the massager in my hand and said.

“That’s a shoulder massager.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, that’s a really expensive one.”

At his words, I fiddled with the machine and replied.

“Yu-na is thanking me for that day in this way.”

I looked at the herbal medicine and the massager alternately and raised the corners of my mouth.