An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 228

228. #40 – Their Intentions (6)

“Hee-sung!”

Manager Kim rushed towards me the moment he spotted me in the company practice room.

I widened my eyes, surprised by his sudden appearance.

“Yes, what’s wrong, Hyung [older brother or close male friend]?”

He bent over slightly, placing his hands on his knees, and gasped for breath.

“Haa… Haa…. We’ve been caught.”

“Huh? Caught doing what?”

I tilted my head, confused.

He swallowed hard and plopped down into a seat.

“The release date.”

Is the fact that the release date has been set a reason to rush over here like this? I thought.

I scratched my head and looked at him.

“You came all this way because of that?”

“The release date has been moved up.”

“Wow, moved up even more?”

He nodded vigorously.

“Yeah, I don’t know if Hollywood is just that amazing, or if Director Jeffrey is some kind of genius. He managed to match our release date exactly with Director James’s. Apparently, he finished the work incredibly fast.”

I clicked my tongue, impressed.

“Director Jeffrey must have really put in the effort to go head-to-head like that.”

“Plus, the broadcast date of our variety show is now two weeks before the movie release.”

At Manager Kim’s words, I smirked.

“Perfect!”

“Yeah, I was just about to ask if we could postpone the show as much as possible. Even if we promote on a variety show, it’s best to air it right before the release.”

“That’s right. That way, people will watch the show and be more inclined to go see the movie right away.”

Manager Kim smirked and nodded in agreement.

“It worked out perfectly. Just go and do your best.”

“Yeah, I’ll promote the movie hard on the show. Just appearing on it will naturally promote the movie anyway.”

We smiled at each other.

Perfect timing.

As long as my image doesn’t take a nosedive on the variety show, the movie promotion will definitely get a boost.

I felt anticipation building, and the corners of my mouth turned upward.

At the same time, I felt a sense of pressure, and my shoulders slumped slightly.

It’s true that Hollywood movies are always popular in Korea.

But two movies by popular directors, both about 9/11, are being released simultaneously.

And in Korea, I, a Korean actor, am at the center of that competition.

If Director Jeffrey’s movie barely wins, with a similar number of viewers…

The media will surely blame me, or it will be a situation where winning is no better than breaking even.

And if Director James’s movie wins…

The blame for that defeat will fall entirely on my shoulders, as the Korean actor.

The movie I’m in, Director Jeffrey’s movie, absolutely has to beat Director James’s.

I calmed my pounding heart with my hands and burned with determination.

Filming was already over, and I could confidently say that I had put in as much effort as possible during filming.

Now, all that’s left for me is promotion.

I have to pour all my heart and soul into the variety show I’m about to appear on.

***

Finally, the day of the recording for the variety show ‘Saturday Chat’ arrived.

I headed to the set with a fluttering heart, ready for promotion.

But as I got closer to the broadcasting station, I was seized with the pressure of having to film the show well.

“Hee-sung.”

“Yeah?”

“Are you nervous?”

Manager Kim noticed my expression right away and asked with a worried look.

I wrinkled my nose and replied.

“A little.”

“It’s not like it’s your first time on a variety show, why are you so nervous? Just relax and have fun.”

“I know… but I’m a little worried that if I don’t do well, it might affect the movie’s viewership.”

He raised his eyebrows at my words and replied.

“People are already going crazy just because you’ve made your Hollywood debut and are starring in Director Jeffrey’s movie. You can go and say whatever you want.”

I bit my lip and nodded.

Manager Kim continued with a warm smile.

“You don’t have to try to do anything special. Just tell your story comfortably.”

I sighed and nodded at his sincere words.

“I will, Hyung.”

“Yeah, there won’t be any difficult questions, just think of it as a fun interview. Relax and enjoy it.”

“Thanks.”

With Manager Kim’s encouragement, I headed to the studio.

Clap-!

With the clap of the slate, the lights came on.

The bright lights filled my vision.

Even with the bright lights filling my eyes, I didn’t blink, maintaining a smile as I looked at the camera.

A soft sofa.

And drinks and snacks placed in front of me.

MC [Master of Ceremonies] Lee Seung-hyun, who was sitting on the sofa next to me, clapped his hands and shouted.

“Saturday Chat, heating up Saturday! I’m Lee Seung-hyun!”

At his opening greeting, music filled the set.

“The person who will be chatting with me for a long time today. Without further ado, let me introduce him.”

As soon as Lee Seung-hyun finished speaking, a video started playing on the monitor.

It was a compilation of clips from the dramas, movies, and variety shows I had appeared on.

Lee Seung-hyun spoke while watching the video.

“The actor who was introduced as a rising star. But that rising star quickly became a household name, and then a national actor. And not long after, this actor became a K-actor [Korean actor] representing Korea and advanced to Hollywood, right?”

I swallowed hard with an awkward smile at the flattering comments.

“Our actor who returned after working with Director Jeffrey in Hollywood! Let me introduce actor Jin Hee-sung!”

As soon as he finished his introduction, the video on the monitor ended.

Lee Seung-hyun and I faced each other and bowed our heads in greeting.

“Hello, actor Hee-sung. Please say hello to the viewers of our Saturday Chat.”

“Yes.”

“Of course, there’s no one who doesn’t know actor Jin Hee-sung. Haha.”

I smiled brightly at his jest, raised my head, and looked at the camera with the red light on.

“Hello. I’m actor Jin Hee-sung, who filmed the movie ‘September 11th’ with Director Jeffrey this time. Nice to meet you!”

Lee Seung-hyun cheered for me with applause.

He immediately asked me the first question.

“It’s so nice to have you here, Hee-sung. Articles about your advancement to Hollywood have been pouring out, and a lot of attention has been focused on you. First of all, can I ask what led you to advance to Hollywood?”

I nodded at Lee Seung-hyun’s question and began to explain.

“Of course. First of all, I can say that I was lucky. I once traveled to New York alone….”

Before I could finish speaking, he widened his eyes and blinked at me.

“There’s a video I know about. The impromptu play video that went viral in New York, are you talking about that?”

“That’s right. That’s when I went to see a play and ended up performing impromptu. I never imagined that video would spread like that.”

Lee Seung-hyun smiled brightly and shouted at the camera.

“It’s already a famous video, but for viewers who haven’t seen it yet, let’s show it first and then talk about it. Let’s watch the video!”

Soon, the video of the play I performed in New York was played on the set.

“It seems that several directors in Hollywood became interested in me because of that chance.”

“So, you went to New York alone….”

Lee Seung-hyun continued to ask questions.

He and I were exchanging questions and answers, and the atmosphere was gradually loosening up.

An hour had passed since the start of filming.

I was continuing the interview with a bright voice and a bright smile, as if I had never been nervous.

“So, Hee-sung, you saw all those actors in Hollywood and talked to them, too?”

It was a filming with such famous actors.

So, in Korea, they asked as if it was amazing just to have been with those actors.

I smiled and replied.

“Of course. What do you mean just talk? We ate together and drank together, too. Haha.”

He also burst into laughter at my words.

“That’s right. It’s natural to film together. It’s just so amazing that you were with so many actors, including Liam and Bruno. Haha.”

“I was really amazed at first, too. To be filming with these famous actors, me…. That’s how I felt.”

Lee Seung-hyun and I were laughing and talking.

He raised the corners of his mouth and asked me.

“Then, did you also have gatherings and parties with Evelyn, who is starring in September 11th?”

I raised my eyebrows and nodded.

“Yes, of course.”

“Wow….”

Unlike the questions he had asked so far, his tone was dripping with fanboyism [acting like a devoted fan].

I looked at him and asked.

“Seung-hyun, are you a fan of Evelyn?”

He quickly nodded his head and replied.

“Of course. Is there anyone who isn’t a fan of Evelyn?”

He hurriedly opened his mouth to me again.

“Ah, of course, I’m also a fan of Jin Hee-sung. Haha.”

“Thank you.”

“Do you keep in touch with the other actors even after filming is over?”

I rolled my eyes playfully and nodded at his words.

“Yes, I don’t contact them every day, but I keep in touch to ask how they are doing or to share news.”

“Oh, then….”

Lee Seung-hyun looked at the camera and raised the corners of his mouth.

“Is there an actor you can connect with by phone?”

I stroked my chin and pondered at his words.

“Hmm… which actor should I call?”

Then, I suddenly made eye contact with Lee Seung-hyun.

I smiled and said.

“Then, shall we call Evelyn?”

As soon as I finished speaking, Lee Seung-hyun covered his mouth and shouted.

“…Wow, I’m really a fan of Evelyn. You even think of me, the MC, Jin Hee-sung is really a great person.”

I burst into hearty laughter at his words.

“Haha, the time is… she might not answer, but I’ll give it a try.”

I tilted my head and checked the time.

Since there was a huge time difference with the United States, I called her, thinking that Evelyn might not answer the phone.

With the microphone connected to my cell phone, I pressed the call button.

I swallowed hard as the ringing tone filled the studio.

As the ringing tone repeated several times, Lee Seung-hyun lowered his eyebrows and carefully opened his mouth.

“Yes, maybe because of the time difference… she can’t answer the phone…”

At that time.

-Oh, Hee-sung!

Evelyn’s bright voice was heard over the receiver.

Lee Seung-hyun covered his mouth and widened his eyes as if they were about to pop out.

I sighed in relief and said.

“Evelyn, it’s me. Jin Hee-sung.”

-Of course, I know. How are you doing?

“I’m fine. Evelyn, I’m doing a show in Korea right now….”

Evelyn shared small episodes from the filming set and talked as if to show off her friendship with me.

Thanks to her, my status was rising.

Lee Seung-hyun gave a thumbs up and exclaimed.

“Keu [sound of admiration], as expected, world-class! You are world-class, actor Hee-sung.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Your connections… are amazing.”

I continued filming throughout the show with a smile on my face.

***

-Saturday Chat, heating up Saturday! I’m Lee Seung-hyun!

Park Soon-hee shouted with her hands clasped together at the voice on the TV.

“Finally, Saturday Chat with Hee-sung oppa [term used by younger women to refer to older male friends or idols] is starting!”

She sat on the sofa and focused on Jin Hee-sung on TV without moving her gaze at all.

“Wow, Hee-sung oppa looks so handsome today….”

Park Soon-hee was busy biting her lip and capturing Jin Hee-sung’s appearance in her eyes.

As time passed while focusing on the program.

She opened her laptop with the TV on one side and the fan cafe on the other.

She watched the broadcast while communicating with other fans in real time.

“As expected, our oppa has definitely become more handsome after going to Hollywood.”

She raised the corners of her mouth and took a picture of Jin Hee-sung on TV.

She posted the captured screen on the fan cafe.

-Actor Hee-sung is world-class. Later, if you take on a leading role in Hollywood and become more successful, you must not forget the show you did with me today.

Jin Hee-sung was smiling awkwardly at Lee Seung-hyun’s words.

-Oh, of course. I will stand in front of the viewers with a better image in the future. And I will work hard to become a proud actor who is not ashamed of my fans, Jin Hee-sung Season [fan club name].

Park Soon-hee bit her lip at Jin Hee-sung’s words and blinked her eyes repeatedly.

“What… our oppa is really becoming world-class…!”

She pouted her lips and murmured with tears in her eyes.

“I’m so happy that our oppa is doing well. I have to book movie tickets right away.”