An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 244

244. #44 – Unfounded Rumors (2)

[‘The Villain,’ Challenging to Become the All-Time Box Office Hit?]

[‘Jin Heesung’ Stars in Hollywood… ‘The Villain’ Hits Box Office Success Upon Release.]

The movie ‘The Villain,’ released simultaneously in the United States, Korea, and worldwide, was causing a sensation in Korea.

Unlike the Hollywood movies released around ‘September 11th,’ there were no promotional stage greetings.

So, I was still quietly following the news of its release from LA.

In Korea, articles were pouring out, dozens, even hundreds every day.

I heard that Korea was buzzing with stories about me.

Manager Kim sent me texts dozens of times a day, telling me trivial stories.

-Heesung, the movie is a huge hit in Korea right now!

-I went to a restaurant a little while ago, and everyone was talking about the movie! I was so proud that I couldn’t even eat my meal and just secretly listened to the conversations, haha.

-Heesung, aren’t you bored being alone in LA?

-Aren’t your ears burning [a Korean expression meaning ‘is someone talking about you’]? Everyone around here is talking about you, haha.

-I just went to see ‘The Villain’ at the theater again with my wife. My wife says it’s fun even when watching it again, haha.

Manager Kim not only shared his own stories but also news from around Korea.

So, being alone in LA wasn’t so lonely.

Of course, those texts didn’t completely erase the loneliness.

But that didn’t make me want to go back to Korea or rush out right away.

The reason I wasn’t meeting my loved ones and those close to me in Korea wasn’t just for my sake.

If I were to disappear like smoke in an instant, I didn’t even want to imagine the sadness of those left behind.

So, I wanted to slowly fade from their memories, even if just a little.

My parents, Manager Kim, and everyone who spent a lot of time with me.

My fans, and… even Song Yoona.

When I disappeared from the world, I wanted to lessen the burden of sorrow that would be placed on them, even if just a little.

I didn’t reply to all the dozens of texts that Manager Kim sent every day.

He also knew that I wouldn’t reply, but he still sent me news every day without fail.

After a few more days passed since the release, I received a call from Manager Kim instead of a text.

I would have usually rejected the call, but I had no choice but to press the receive button to his persistent call.

“Hello?”

-Heesung, why didn’t you answer the phone?

“I was just resting, so I didn’t hear it.”

-Oh, you’re doing well, right?

“Of course. I’m resting well.”

Manager Kim shouted at me in an excited voice.

-Do you know that it’s been 12 days since the movie was released today?

At his words, I looked at the desk calendar and nodded.

“I see. Time really flies.”

-Heesung, it’s a huge hit!

“Huh?”

-\’The Villain\’ is a sensation in Korea right now!

At his words, I tilted my head and asked, “Hyung [older brother or close male friend], you’ve been giving me news every day.”

-No. Not that, do you know the movie ‘Battle of Myeongnyang’?

“Of course. Is there anyone who doesn’t know that?”

-That movie hit 10 million viewers in 12 days.

At Manager Kim’s words, I nodded.

‘Battle of Myeongnyang.’

A movie about General Yi Sunshin [a famous Korean admiral] that brought a huge craze in Korea.

The movie had a big impact to the point where conversations wouldn’t happen without talking about General Yi Sunshin.

A work that achieved the amazing feat of reaching 10 million in 12 days.

Even now, after a long time, that record has not been broken.

There were many movies with over 10 million viewers, but it had not been achieved in such a short period of 12 days.

“Yeah, I know. I heard it hasn’t been broken yet.”

-It’s broken.

At Manager Kim’s words, my eyes widened and I asked, “Wow, I didn’t know. What movie broke that record?”

At my question, he took a deep breath and shouted, -Your movie!

“What?”

-The Villain. It recorded 10 million viewers in 11 days!

At Manager Kim’s words, my mouth dropped open and I frowned.

“Crazy… No way.”

This was an overwhelming feeling that I couldn’t even describe.

It broke the record for the fastest box office hit in Korean film history.

And that movie was ‘The Villain,’ which would be the last movie of my life.

While filming this movie, it was certain that I put all my heart and soul into it, more than any other work in my acting career.

However, I didn’t feel happy throughout the filming.

Before ending my 10,000 years of life, I was just trying to achieve my dream.

I just lived and acted with only acting and myself in a bleak situation.

I didn’t act with the expectation that it would be a hit, but I swallowed hard, trying to calm the overwhelming emotions at the incredible record.

-Heesung, it’s really over now.

“What do you mean?”

-I mean the hard times in your acting career are over. You can live your whole life doing the acting you want, the acting you want to show!

Today, Manager Kim’s hopeful words stung my heart even more.

Because I… won’t have a future.

***

[North American Box Office ‘The Villain’ Unshakable at No. 1……!]

[‘Jin Heesung’ Starring ‘The Villain’ No. 1 at North American Box Office, Domestic Fans Buzzing.]

[Actor of the Year Noticed by Hollywood… ‘Jin Heesung’ Takes the Spot, Defying Expectations.]

A person capturing articles one by one and raising the corners of her lips.

It was Park Soonhee, a long-time fan of Jin Heesung.

“Oh my gosh. Is our oppa [term used by females to refer to older brothers or male friends] going to win an award in Hollywood this year at this rate?”

She was filled with anticipation and soaked in emotion.

Looking at Jin Heesung’s picture, she swallowed her tears.

“There are no stage greetings for this movie, and oppa isn’t appearing on any variety shows or radio shows to promote it….”

Park Soonhee expressed her disappointment in a gloomy voice.

Nevertheless, she was overwhelmed with the thought that Jin Heesung was solidifying his place in Hollywood.

“Okay. Even if I can’t go see oppa’s face, it’s enough if our oppa is happy.”

Park Soonhee stared intently at Jin Heesung’s picture and nodded.

“What is oppa doing these days that he’s so quiet?”

She had never directly contacted Jin Heesung.

However, Jin Heesung created an SNS [Social Networking Service] account to communicate with fans.

She always posted updates on her recent activities through that, but Park Soonhee naturally knew that it hadn’t been updated for several months.

The fans’ reactions to the lack of news were extremely divided.

-But what is Heesung oppa doing these days that he’s so quiet?

-There’s nothing coming up on the company’s website other than stories about his work.

-I contacted the company today, but there’s been no response.

-Could it be… is our oppa only settling down in Hollywood now?

└It’s good if oppa establishes himself as an actor in Hollywood!

└But we won’t be able to see oppa in the future ㅠㅠ [Korean emoticon for crying].

└Anyway, it’s a good thing that oppa is doing well. Do whatever Heesung oppa wants to do!

-Honestly, Jin Heesung should get an award at the Academy Awards this year.

└I agree!

└Of course. It doesn’t make sense if they don’t give it to him after he surpassed 10 million viewers in 11 days in Korea and is ranked #1 at the North American box office like that.

└Jin Heesung, let’s go to the Academy Awards!

-I heard Heesung oppa is still in LA… isn’t he coming to Korea?

└Huh? I heard the manager is in Korea, but oppa is alone in LA?

Jin Heesung’s fan cafe was filled with stories and questions about his recent activities.

Even Park Soonhee, the administrator, didn’t know anything exactly about Jin Heesung’s story.

She was also one of the people who was most curious about Jin Heesung’s well-being.

“Heesung oppa, I hope nothing’s wrong…?”

Park Soonhee bit her lip with worry about Jin Heesung.

“Why isn’t he active like this… I hope he’s not sick or anything?”

She sighed one after another and continued searching for Jin Heesung’s recent activities.

***

“Wow… Heesung is a huge hit now.”

Song Yoona’s manager, Manager Choi, muttered while looking at an article about Jin Heesung on his cell phone.

At his words, Song Yoona glanced at Manager Choi’s cell phone screen.

Feeling her gaze, Manager Choi held out the screen to her.

“Do you want to see it?”

Song Yoona quickly turned her gaze away and shouted bluntly, “No. Why would I look at Jin Heesung’s article?”

“Still, he’s a member of the same company….”

Song Yoona sighed, looking out the window with her arms crossed.

“What do you mean the same company? But what is Jin Heesung doing and where is he?”

At her question, Manager Choi tilted his head and replied, “I think he’s still in LA, but I don’t know exactly. Should I ask Manager Kim?”

At his words, Song Yoona shouted as if she was angry, “No? Why would I ask when I’m not curious about what Jin Heesung is doing or where he is? It’s ridiculous.”

“I thought you were curious….”

“Oppa [term used by females to refer to older brothers or male friends], I’m not curious at all. It’s not like Jin Heesung and I are close.”

Even at her words, Manager Choi was not greatly hurt.

It wasn’t the first or second time he had experienced Song Yoona’s prickly attitude.

However, what was certain was that Song Yoona was curious about Jin Heesung’s recent activities.

Because Manager Choi had been watching Song Yoona from the closest side for a long time.

It was a level where he could immediately recognize it just by listening to her questions and tone.

“Since I’m curious, I should ask Manager Kim next time.”

“…Whatever. Why are you making excuses for me when you’re curious.”

“Okay.”

Manager Choi suppressed a laugh so that Song Yoona couldn’t see him.

Song Yoona leaned back in her chair and looked at Jin Heesung’s article on her cell phone.

“Yoona, I’m going to go outside for a while to make a call.”

“Okay.”

Manager Choi went out and was left alone in the car.

Song Yoona read the comments on Jin Heesung’s article one by one.

-I heard Jin Heesung is not feeling well, is that true?

-Isn’t Jin Heesung in LA because he’s sick?

-Well, he’s been working non-stop for several years, so his body is bound to break down….

The comments were speculative posts that had not been confirmed.

Nevertheless, Song Yoona bit her lip at the thought that maybe it was true.

“Could it be… did something really happen to Jin Heesung…?”

Worry about Jin Heesung was dripping from Song Yoona’s eyes.

***

“Heesung’s father, will he answer if I call Heesung now?”

Jin Heesung’s mother asked, looking at the clock late at night.

“Yes, if you call now, it’s morning in the United States, so he can answer. I’ll call now.”

“Okay. There are articles and news about my son all the time. I miss our son so much.”

Jin Heesung’s father immediately called Jin Heesung.

The signal didn’t ring much, and his voice was heard over the receiver.

-Hello?

“Son!”

-Yes, Mom. Why are you calling at this hour instead of sleeping?

“Of course. I have to call at this time so that my son will be awake. I waited for the time to wake up and called.”

-You must be tired, I can call at night….

“It’s okay. Son, are you eating well and doing well?”

-Yes, I’m doing well. Mom, Dad, are you doing well too?

“We’re doing well. These days, whenever I turn on the TV, there’s only talk about our son. Haha.”

Unlike the excited voices of his parents, Jin Heesung let out a bitter smile.

“Heesung, are you doing well?”

Jin Heesung’s father spoke loudly next to his mother.

-Yes, I’m doing well. You don’t have to worry.

“Still, let’s keep in touch often. Your mother worries a lot even if you’re busy.”

-I will. But I have a lot of work to do here, and I haven’t been able to contact you often because I’m a bit busy.

“Oh, Heesung’s father, really. The child is busy, but Mom is okay. The busier you are, the better you should eat and get enough sleep. It’s bad for your body.”

-Yes, Mom and Dad, take good care of your health too.

“But son, when are you coming to Korea?”

-Ah… I don’t think I’ll be able to go for a while. I’m a little busy these days. Since my son is doing well, they don’t leave me alone here and there. Haha.”

“Don’t overdo it. Your body is always the first priority, so you have to take it easy if it’s hard. Don’t hurt your body, eat well!”

-Okay, Mom always talks about food.

“Of course. I’m always thinking about whether my son is eating well and sleeping well.”

-Mom, Dad. I’ll contact you again. I’m busy right now….

“Oh my, okay. I’ve kept you too long when you’re busy. Hurry up and work, and let’s contact each other again.”

-Yes.

The call soon ended.

Staring blankly at the phone that had been disconnected, she opened her mouth.

“Heesung’s father, I hope nothing’s wrong with Heesung?”

“I know. He says he’s doing well, but his voice doesn’t sound good.”

“Yes, I’m worried. Our son… is he okay?”