An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 277

277. #50 – Responsibility (5)

Time continued to pass without a definite answer from Chief Kim.

But I didn’t push him for an answer.

The offer of independence wasn’t just for my benefit; it was for his as well.

It was true that my heart was more invested in his well-being.

Even if Chief Kim rejected the offer, I wouldn’t feel disappointed or uncomfortable in our relationship.

If I were to move agencies, I just wanted to be with Chief Kim.

If I were to continue my career in the entertainment industry, I wanted him by my side.

“I am curious about what hyung [older brother or close male friend] is thinking…”

Just as I was wondering about Chief Kim’s next move, I received a call from him.

I checked his number and smiled.

I didn’t know if this call was to answer my proposal or not.

But the fact that he called at this moment, when I was thinking of him, made the corners of my lips turn up.

I clicked the receive button with a playful voice.

“Aigo [expression of frustration or endearment], you can’t become a nobleman.”

At my words, Chief Kim replied with a puzzled voice.

-What, were you thinking about me?

“Well… not in a good way.”

-You’re lying. How is our Heesung going to live without his hyung? Hyung is married, too.

“That’s enough. I like women, you know?”

-Haha, that’s a relief.

“But what’s up, hyung, calling at this hour?”

I looked at the large clock on the wall and asked him.

-I was thinking about something, and it’s already this late. Have you had dinner?

“Yeah, roughly.”

-Then, shall we meet for a bit?

“Now?”

-Yeah. About the proposal you made to me back then.”

At Chief Kim’s words, I unknowingly swallowed hard.

I wasn’t trying to rush him for an answer, but I focused all my attention to hear his reply.

-Thank you for making such a proposal. Let’s do it, an agency!

An hour later.

After throwing on some clothes at home, I headed to the place to meet Chief Kim.

Chief Kim’s answer came sooner than I thought.

He was surprised by the sudden proposal and hesitated, but he gave me an answer in less than a week.

I had many jobs in the long past of the last 10,000 years.

From managers like Chief Kim to police officers, doctors, nurses, teachers, sales staff, and office workers.

There were too many jobs to list one by one.

Of course, I would disappear after 10 years.

So, leaving that job and choosing another one.

Or even changing companies didn’t make a big difference.

I lived fiercely and diligently in every life at that time.

But I was just being faithful to what was given to me.

I don’t think I tried any other changes.

Especially in the life of working in a company.

Moving to another company is difficult and adventurous for office workers.

But quitting the company and starting my own company?

Becoming independent from the company is not a common situation for office workers.

Moreover, it is even more so in situations where people like Chief Kim have a family and responsibilities to bear.

So, I know it’s a good offer for Chief Kim.

But I knew very well that he had no choice but to worry.

I am sure that I will succeed.

But for Chief Kim, taking a risk may require more courage than me.

“Hyung!”

As soon as I saw Chief Kim, I waved my hand.

“Oh, Heesung. You’re early?”

We entered a quiet cafe with private rooms and took our seats.

After placing a cup of coffee in front of each of us.

We immediately started talking about the plan without small talk.

“Hyung, so you thought about it deeply, right?”

At my question, he nodded with a serious face.

“Yeah, I actually lost sleep for a few days thinking about this.”

“Once we start preparing, we can’t turn back. So, I was wondering if hyung is confident. Of course, I’m confident that I’ll make it a success. I’ll work hard for it.”

He felt the burning will in my tone and said with a fire in his eyes.

“Of course, I’m not jumping in lightly. I’m not starting with a guarantee of success, but I, and we, have to make it successful.”

Something boiling deep inside.

Thanks to that, my throat seemed to burn hotly.

His desire to leave WG Entertainment and succeed fueled the fire even more.

“Good. Then I’ll tell you my plan right away.”

“Okay.”

Chief Kim took out the notebook he always carried in his pocket, as usual.

Taking notes like this was Chief Kim’s long-standing habit.

“First of all, we need to prepare a company office, and the location is…”

At my words, he perked up his ears and listened.

He kept scribbling with a pen and said to me.

“Oh, that location seems good. I’ll look into the office right away from tomorrow. You prepare for your work.”

“Let’s quickly grow the company and get a new manager for me.”

“Can you do it without me?”

He raised one eyebrow and asked me in a playful tone.

I burst into laughter at Chief Kim’s expression.

“It’ll be a little boring without hyung… but well, I’ll have to endure it.”

I took a sip of coffee and erased the smile from my face.

“The reason why I’m leaving the company and starting an entertainment company like this is to make hyung stop being a road manager and work in the office. To make that happen, we need to grow the company quickly.”

At my words, he smiled faintly and replied to me.

“What am I… Thank you so much for thinking of me like that, Heesung.”

I saw his moist eyes and coughed awkwardly at the awkward atmosphere.

“Ahem.”

Then, I joked to change the atmosphere.

“No, because I have a stake in the company. The bigger the company, the more profitable it is for me, who invested the money, right? Haha.”

At my words, Chief Kim laughed heartily and nodded.

“That’s right. We need to hire more managers, bring in a lot of celebrities, and make money to make the investment worthwhile.”

I laughed and met his eyes in the air.

We were continuing the conversation playfully.

But Chief Kim could read my heart, and I could read his gratitude in his eyes.

And he shifted his gaze and muttered, spinning his coffee cup for no reason.

“I’ll work really hard to repay you.”

We haven’t even left WG Entertainment yet, and we haven’t even started our company yet.

But already, Chief Kim and my relationship was becoming even stronger than family.

* * *

The script reading room of the movie ‘Turntable’ that I found again.

This was the space where I had meetings with Director Cheon.

This was the third time I had come to this script reading room.

I had never been to this space so often and so much in any of my previous works.

So, I could feel it again.

How much affection I have for this work, and how eager I am to do well.

“Heesung-ssi [Mr. Heesung], you’re here?”

“Yes, Director. Hello.”

“We’re seeing each other a lot these days, aren’t we?”

“I know, right? It’s good to see you often. Haha.”

He smiled and pointed to the front seat.

I sat across from him and looked at Director Cheon.

“Director, has the date been roughly set?”

At my question, he pulled the desk calendar next to him and explained to me.

“After talking to Heesung-ssi today and finalizing it, I’m going to remove all the WG Entertainment actors. And after recasting those roles and completing it, the crank-in [start of filming] will be…”

At his words, I nodded and concentrated.

As soon as Director Cheon finished speaking, I opened my mouth.

About my attitude and plan for this work.

“Director, you can remove all the actors who came in under my name from WG Entertainment. I’m going to leave the company. There will be no more problems with casting actors due to company pressure.”

At my words, Director Cheon looked at me with wide eyes, as if surprised.

He didn’t seem to know that my saying that he could remove the actors from WG Entertainment meant that I was going to leave WG Entertainment.

He seemed to think that I would solve it by negotiating with the company.

“Then, Heesung-ssi, are you moving agencies?”

“Yes, I’ll tell you more about the story later. What’s certain is that I don’t want any parachute actors [actors cast due to connections, not talent] coming in because of me. Director Cheon, you can cast actors who are suitable for the roles for the sake of the work.”

I frowned and raised my index finger.

“No, it’s originally natural for the director to cast actors who are suitable for the roles.”

At my words, Director Cheon nodded and replied.

“I’m so glad that the actor who will draw the work together is reliable.”

“No, I’m also excited to make a good work with the director.”

Director Cheon checked today’s date and asked, fixing his gaze on the calendar.

“Then, can we post a casting announcement right away?”

At his question, I shook my head vigorously.

“Yes, let’s proceed without further delay in the progress of the work.”

Only then did he let out a long sigh, as if the stagnation had disappeared.

It is common for entertainment companies to sell actors, such as supporting roles and extras, along with the lead actor.

But I didn’t want to overlook that point even though I knew it.

Even if an actor who is good at acting comes, there are many cases where they do not fit the role.

There are quite a few cases where celebrities from other fields try it as a new stepping stone, not as actors.

The company may put effort into casting regardless of such acting skills.

But as a result, the efforts of the director, writer, staff, and actors who have been preparing for a long time may be ruined by one such miscasting.

A few hours later.

I finished meeting with Director Cheon and returned home.

In that short time, a new casting announcement was posted.

Seeing how quickly it was processed, I could see how much Director Cheon didn’t like the casting, but also wanted to quickly deal with it because he regretted the hesitant time.

Director Cheon told me that he would be satisfied even if only half of the actors who were forcibly pushed by WG Entertainment left.

But he probably didn’t want to shoot the movie as it was.

The reality that he had no choice but to shoot the movie with tears in his eyes after facing the inevitable reality.

As soon as I started to correct that reality, Director Cheon ignited his desire for the movie.

* * *

Meanwhile, at WG Entertainment, in Chief Choi’s office.

Chief Choi was sitting with his legs crossed, leaning back in a plush chair with a high back.

“Things are going smoothly since I came to Korea.”

The corners of his lips were stretched long.

As if to disturb his smile, the phone on his desk began to ring.

“Oh, hello?”

-Chief Choi, about our actors participating in the movie ‘Turntable’. Did you take them out again?

“What are you talking about? Explain it so I can understand, Team Leader Park.”

-I just got a call saying that all the actors who were cast in ‘Turntable’ have been dropped.

“What?”

-Casting canceled. And there’s also an announcement that they’re holding auditions for those roles. I sent you the data via messenger, so you should check it.”

“This X발 [Cursing word]…!”

The peaceful executive office became as busy as if a storm had swept through.

As soon as he hung up the phone, he called Director Cheon.

-The customer is not answering the phone….

But Director Cheon, whom he was desperately looking for, did not answer.

쾅- [Sound of slamming]

Chief Choi slammed his fist on the desk and shouted.

“This crazy… This must be something Jin Heesung planned. Leaving only Jin Heesung in the role… How dare you cut off my proposal without a word?”

He couldn’t contain his anger and let out a rough breath.

After calming down for a while, he twisted his lips as if he had come up with another plan.

“I’m sure I warned Jin Heesung…”

Then, he overturned the business card holder on the desk and stirred it with his hand to find the business card he wanted.