An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 245

245. Overgrown Rumors (3)

I had been alone in LA for weeks, so long that I couldn’t even remember the exact date.

After Manager Kim left for Korea, I had been staying in this hotel.

The only times I left the hotel were when I felt suffocated.

On days when I was overwhelmed with thoughts of those I had left behind, I would escape the hotel and always go to the ocean.

Watching the crashing waves in the quiet sea was my only solace.

“Haa….”

Sitting in the hotel, there was nothing I particularly wanted to do, and of course, nothing I had to do.

In the past, just being in LA would have been exciting.

I would have gone sightseeing and explored the neighborhood as soon as I woke up.

But now, I didn’t even feel like sightseeing.

Everything in LA was already etched in my mind.

For 10,000 years, I had lived as a Korean.

As an American, I had lived all over the Americas, including LA, New York, and Chicago, as well as all over the world.

I didn’t realize it before, but now that the end of my 10,000-year life was approaching, all those long years and experiences remained vividly in my mind.

Of course, it had been decades, up to hundreds or even thousands of years, since I last lived in LA.

Nevertheless, I had no desire to go out and be amazed by the changes.

Moreover, the movie ‘The Villain’ was quite a hit in the US.

If I wasn’t careful, people might recognize me.

I didn’t want to wander around crowded places.

In fact, I didn’t even have the energy to smile and interact with people.

Just then.

Zheeing.

The alarm on my cell phone.

I didn’t even check the alarm, but I could immediately tell who was contacting me.

Manager Kim was still sending me dozens of texts every day.

So, 99% of the alarm notifications on my cell phone were from Manager Kim.

I didn’t reply, but Manager Kim still thought I might be lonely or isolated in LA, so he kept sending messages.

-Heeseong, today a variety show in Korea parodied your movie? Haha.

-Heeseong, don’t just stay in the hotel, go out and make some memories.

-A famous restaurant near your hotel was on TV yesterday, I’ll send you the address and link!

Manager Kim was still busy taking care of me even from Korea.

I felt grateful for his concern, but I deliberately didn’t reply.

The reason I was here was to spend time distancing myself from the people in Korea.

And that included Manager Kim.

I wanted to slowly fade from Manager Kim’s memory.

But the more I pushed him away, the more Manager Kim seemed to embrace me.

Looking at his messages, the corners of my tightly closed lips slightly lifted.

“Make memories, huh?”

I sighed deeply as I looked at the message from Manager Kim.

Making memories?

It meant nothing to me.

The moment the end of my 10,000 years approached and I returned to nothingness, the memories of this life would also be scattered into the air.

***

It had already been well over a month since ‘The Villain’ was released.

Even staying in the hotel, I could easily get news.

The local reactions in the US were on TV.

And the messages Manager Kim sent every day.

I could find out even if I didn’t deliberately seek out the news.

Zheeing.

[Sender: Manager Kim Jihoon]

I ignored the call from Manager Kim and covered my cell phone.

But the phone kept ringing, so I finally pressed the answer button.

“Hello?”

-Heeseong, why aren’t you answering?

“Ah… I was just resting. What’s up?”

-I called because I haven’t been able to reach you lately. You’re reading the texts, right?

“Yeah, I read them.”

-You didn’t reply, so I was worried something might be wrong.

Manager Kim’s worried voice came through the receiver.

He seemed to sigh as he heard my low voice.

-When are you coming back to Korea?

“I don’t know yet.”

-Is it okay there? Do you need anything?

“Yeah, I’ll tell you if I do.”

-Okay. I’m worried about leaving you alone in a foreign country….

“It’s okay. I’m doing well, so don’t worry.”

-Yeah, and did you check the text I sent this morning?

“What did it say?”

I switched to speakerphone and checked the messages again.

Manager Kim had sent so many messages that I couldn’t remember what he was referring to.

-The final score for ‘The Villain’ came out today.

“Ah… you said it reached 15 million?”

-Yeah, I called this morning because of that, but you didn’t answer.

“I didn’t get it.”

-That’s a really amazing record. The company is having a dinner today because of your record. Haha.

I nodded at his words.

Reaching 15 million was a huge achievement.

‘Admiral: Roaring Currents’ was the undisputed number one in Korea.

That movie reached 10 million viewers in 12 days.

The final score was 17.61 million.

And ‘The Villain,’ which I starred in, reached 10 million viewers in just 11 days, taking the top spot for the fastest movie to reach that milestone.

However, the final score did not surpass the undisputed number one.

And the existing movie ‘Along With Celestial Gods,’ which held the second-highest number of viewers.

That work had a record of 14.41 million.

I pushed ‘Along With Celestial Gods’ to third place with a whopping 15 million.

-The fastest movie to reach 10 million viewers, and the second-highest final score. Korea is going crazy over ‘The Villain’ right now.

“That’s a relief.”

-It’s not just a relief. The movie in second place is a Hollywood production. And you’re the star of it. Korea is completely turned upside down, you know? Haha.

Manager Kim laughed heartily and praised me.

Still, I couldn’t match his energy.

“I worked hard, and I’m glad the results followed.”

-You’re a huge hot topic in Korea right now. If you come to Korea, the airport will be paralyzed, so you’ll need to hire several guards when you come.

“Okay. I’ll contact you in advance.”

-Eat well. And reply to the texts when you see them.

“I will. Take care, hyung [older brother or close male friend].”

He laughed and replied to my words.

-What, like you’re never going to contact me again.

“No, just.”

-Okay. I’ll contact you again, Heeseong.

After hanging up with Manager Kim, I took a long, deep breath.

It was great news that the movie was a success.

That’s what I had worked so hard for and acted for.

However, it wasn’t just for the success, but because I thought of it as the last work of my life that I devoted myself to even more.

The reason I sighed was because I heard Manager Kim’s voice, regardless of the success.

His worried voice.

Just thinking about the sadness and worry that would be left for him when I disappeared, my heart already ached.

***

A crowded conference room.

A large sign was written on the conference room door.

‘Secret Talk Show’

They put laptops in front of them and continued the meeting while searching.

“So, who would be a good guest for the next episode?”

At the PD’s [Producer-Director’s] words, the writer and staff opened their mouths at the same time.

“Of course, the actor from ‘The Villain’.”

“That’s right. You know the actor Jin Heeseong, right?”

The PD nodded at their words.

“Haa… He’s not going to work.”

The writer tilted his head at the PD’s firm answer.

“Is it because he’s Korean?”

“No, we had a Korean film director on before.”

“Then shouldn’t we invite a Korean actor as a guest this time?”

The staff sitting next to him nodded and added.

“It would be a good issue.”

“That’s right. These days, K-movies and dramas are becoming more famous following K-pop [Korean pop music].”

The PD bit his lip and shook his head.

“I know that. But actor Jin Heeseong refused.”

At his words, everyone’s eyes widened and shouted.

“He refused?”

“Yeah, he said he wouldn’t do any broadcasting?”

“No, are you saying he refused even though he knows what the Secret Talk Show is?”

They frowned as if they couldn’t believe it.

A talk show that has firmly held the number one spot in the United States for several years.

There were so many actors, singers, and celebrities who wanted to appear on the show.

It wasn’t a show that you could appear on just because you wanted to.

The only Korean person who had appeared on the show was a film director.

He had only appeared once because he had received a major award in the film industry.

All the staff shook their heads in disbelief at the fact that they had rejected their offer.

“Why did he reject our show?”

“Could it be… he doesn’t know about the Secret Talk Show?”

“No way. Who in the world doesn’t know about our show?”

“Even if he doesn’t know, it’s strange to film an American movie and reject our show.”

They continued the conversation as if they were holding a discussion to find out why Jin Heeseong refused to appear.

The PD also sighed with a look that he couldn’t understand at all.

“He just said he wouldn’t do any broadcasting.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, that’s all there is to it. He said he wouldn’t do any broadcast appearances.”

The conference room was buzzing with Jin Heeseong’s unknown mind.

“Doesn’t he want to be famous?”

“Isn’t it because he’s already famous with this movie?”

“I can’t understand it at all. He’s about to become famous in Hollywood, so why?”

The conference room continued the conversation as if raising their voices to find out the reason for Jin Heeseong’s rejection for a long time.

***

At the same time.

In Korea, a dark night had arrived.

Director Han and Manager Kim tilted their glasses and said.

“Heeseong is going to stay in LA longer?”

Manager Kim nodded at Director Han’s words.

“Yes, I talked to him a few days ago, and it seems like he still doesn’t want to come to Korea.”

Ching- [sound of glasses clinking].

Their glasses clinked.

Manager Kim, who had emptied his glass in one go, sighed repeatedly.

“Haa… I’m worried about Heeseong.”

“I know.”

Director Han made a tsk sound and continued.

“Actually, the company is frustrated right now.”

“Yes?”

“Manager Kim, think about it. Money has started pouring into Heeseong not only from Korea but also from overseas. So what should we do?”

At his words, Manager Kim bit his lip.

“That’s true… but Heeseong’s condition….”

Director Han shook his head and said.

“We have to strike while the iron is hot. Manager Kim, you know that if you don’t capitalize when the entertainment industry is flooded with money, the water will run out quickly.”

He emptied his glass and continued.

“The public only gives a fleeting interest. We have to work hard when they praise us. If we don’t work like that, the public will quickly forget us.”

“That’s right.”

Manager Kim filled his empty glass.

“Heeseong is only answering Manager Kim’s calls right now. Is there anything special he’s saying?”

“Yes, it seems like he wants to rest more.”

“Haa….”

Director Han narrowed his eyes and carefully opened his mouth.

“Could it be… Heeseong is trying to retire?”

At his words, Manager Kim waved his hand and replied.

“No, I don’t think that’s the case.”

“That’s a relief.”

The company was afraid that Jin Heeseong, whose value had jumped, would retire, losing a huge resource.

Director Han stroked his chest and let out a sigh of relief.

“He probably put too much into this work, so it’s taking him a long time to get out of it.”

“Well, I know he had a hard time even before starting that work.”

Ching-.

Again, alcohol that would swallow Jin Heeseong’s worries passed through the esophagus.

“We should be going on programs and doing commercials right now to make a lot of money……. It’s not just once or twice that I’ve heard about it from the CEO. It’s hard.”

Director Han poured out his story to Manager Kim as if complaining.

He stood on Jin Heeseong’s side and answered with strength in his eyes.

“Unfortunately, it seems like Heeseong needs time. If we proceed forcibly here, it’s not just a matter of contract termination, but Heeseong’s life could be ruined.”

“Yeah, I know. But we can’t look at and consider each and every one of those things.”

Manager Kim couldn’t help but consider the company’s position as well.

Still, Jin Heeseong’s condition, whom he cherished like family, came first to him than money.

“Please wait a little longer. I will contact Heeseong often and take care of him so that he can recover his mentality quickly.”

“Okay. Don’t let it take too long.”

“Yes.”

They were thinking of the same person, but they were immersed in different worries.

So they tilted their glasses until late at night.