An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 32

32. #8 – Overwhelmed by Acting (4)

Director Bae returned to his seat and grabbed his megaphone.

“Hee-sung, are you ready?”

Jin Hee-sung nodded, his face radiating confidence.

“Yes, I’m ready!”

“Great. Let’s go again.”

Director Bae shouted as he settled back into his chair.

“Ready, action!”

“If it isn’t you.”

Park Min-joon looked at Jin Hee-sung with a knowing expression.

“I’m a fool for expecting anything. A fool.”

Jin Hee-sung glared at Park Min-joon.

Park Min-joon’s mouth quirked into a smirk, as if his lips might tear.

An emotional expression not in the script.

Despite the filming being interrupted, Park Min-joon continued to needle Jin Hee-sung.

He intended to throw Jin Hee-sung off balance.

Park Min-joon, confident he’d cause another NG [no good, meaning a failed take] with his sudden facial expression, smiled broadly with a bizarre look.

At that moment.

Jin Hee-sung frowned and snapped.

“Is this funny to you?”

Park Min-joon’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.

It was a line completely absent from the script.

Not stopping there, Jin Hee-sung raised the corner of his mouth suspiciously and said.

“Are you messing with me right now!”

Jin Hee-sung’s voice and expression made it seem like a real fight was about to erupt.

The staff’s eyes darted around, taking in the scene.

The air in the room grew tense, like walking on thin ice.

Park Min-joon, initially flustered, inwardly cheered at Jin Hee-sung’s ad-lib.

He was certain that Director Bae would halt filming because of it.

Thinking he’d caused an NG for the third time in a row, Park Min-joon glanced at Director Bae.

‘Hee-sung, you finally snapped and got angry. You’ll only come to your senses after Director Bae scolds you.’

Contrary to Park Min-joon’s expectations,

Director Bae’s megaphone lay on the floor, unused.

He had no intention of calling NG.

Instead, Director Bae was looking at Jin Hee-sung with an intrigued expression.

Jin Hee-sung’s eyes blazed as if he wanted to devour Park Min-joon.

Park Min-joon couldn’t 받아치지 [respond/parry] that intensity and looked visibly embarrassed.

The camera clearly captured their faces and even the trembling in their eyes.

Soon, Director Bae picked up the megaphone.

“Good, okay!”

Park Min-joon’s face contorted at the word “okay” instead of “NG.”

Only then did he realize the bizarre expression he’d been wearing.

Afterwards, he hurriedly called out to Director Bae, realizing that his reactions and the intensity of Jin Hee-sung’s gaze had been captured on camera.

“Director!”

Director Bae raised his chin as if asking what was wrong.

“I’m sorry. If we shoot again, I’ll do it right this time….”

“Again?”

Director Bae interrupted before he could finish speaking.

“No, it’s okay.”

Director Bae approached the set and clapped his hands.

“Hee-sung, what was that ad-lib just now? It’s totally 괜찮은데 [good/okay], you know?”

Completely different from the script.

In a situation where Jin Hee-sung and Park Min-joon were exchanging heated lines with blazing eyes.

Because of Jin Hee-sung’s ad-lib, it became a scene where Park Min-joon was clearly on the defensive.

However, Director Bae was very pleased and admired Jin Hee-sung.

“Thank you, Director.”

Jin Hee-sung bowed to Director Bae.

“Thank you for what? The lines are a bit different, but the flow is the same anyway, and this is even better.”

Park Min-joon stared at Director Bae with a stiff face.

Whether he noticed the look or not, Director Bae said to Jin Hee-sung.

“Good job.”

Director Bae patted Jin Hee-sung on the shoulder with a smile on his face.

He walked back to the staff.

Park Min-joon’s face turned red as if filled with anger.

“Okay, let’s go to the next scene right away!”

The assistant director shouted at them.

“Min-joon, you’re only going to use expressions in this scene without any lines, so move to the side a little.”

“…Yes.”

Jin Hee-sung and Choi Seo-bin made eye contact while moving.

Since there were many eyes watching, it was difficult to greet each other openly, so Jin Hee-sung mouthed the words silently.

‘Thank you.’

Choi Seo-bin, who immediately recognized the lip shape, smiled and raised his thumb.

Then, he muttered to himself.

“Well done.”

***

The viewership ratings for the first and second episodes barely exceeded 10%.

After that, whether the hard work of all the staff and actors resonated with the viewers.

The viewership ratings continued to rise.

Accordingly, my public awareness was gradually increasing.

I felt like my part was more significant than I initially thought, monitoring every episode.

When I compared Park Min-joon’s screen time and mine through the script, there was a clear difference in importance.

Of course, Park Min-joon, as a supporting actor, had a lot of scenes.

However, when I watched it on TV, I didn’t feel like there was a huge disparity.

Of course, it could just be my perception.

I felt a little shaky when I first filmed the scene where I confronted Park Min-joon.

Whenever I exchanged lines with Park Min-joon, I felt that my immersion was breaking down a little differently than usual.

But from some point on, that feeling and attitude changed drastically.

I don’t know exactly when or why.

Now, I feel that even if I film a scene where I confront him, I am maintaining my focus with a high level of stability.

I also heard viewers’ reactions and compliments that my immersion in the two-shot scenes with Park Min-joon was better than before.

In fact, Manager Kim said that the company’s acting coach monitored it and told him this.

I am gradually developing, but I must never become complacent.

A day off from filming after a long time.

You have to strike while the iron is hot.

I headed to the company again today to prepare for my next project.

Because I have to look at scripts, choose my next role, and audition.

Until I get cast as the lead in a mini-series, it’s always the same pattern.

I have to build up my recognition by playing at least three or four supporting roles before I get cast as the lead.

Manager Kim greeted me happily as I arrived at work.

“Hee-sung, you’re here?”

He smiled as if he had been waiting for me.

“I was wondering when you were coming. I have something to give you, just a moment!”

Manager Kim rummaged through the drawer and handed me an envelope.

“What is this?”

Not a plain document envelope, but a cute, light pink envelope.

“It’s for you.”

He raised his eyebrows with a proud look.

“So, what is it?”

I couldn’t figure it out at all, so I tilted my head and asked.

“Fan letter.”

“What, a fan letter?”

My eyes widened and I looked at the envelope in my hand again.

A thick feel.

So, there’s a letter written to me inside?

My heart started pounding as if it would burst even before I opened the envelope.

I’m an actor, but I thought fan letters were just something that happened to other people.

But I have a fan, and that fan wrote me a letter.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Because it was the first letter I was reading, I wanted to read each word carefully without getting too excited.

I carefully opened the letter envelope, which was sealed with a small sticker.

-To Hee-sung oppa [term of endearment for an older brother or male friend], the 역대급 [legendary/unprecedented] actor in my life.

Hello.

I’m a true fan of Hee-sung oppa living in Gyeonggi-do [province surrounding Seoul].

Oppa is my ‘light’ and ‘hope’ in my difficult high school life.

…

…

I will study hard to see oppa for sure.

So, I want to go to college in Seoul and 영접 [meet/greet with reverence] oppa’s real face.

Don’t forget that I and the fans are always cheering for oppa anytime, anywhere.

Please do your best in that position as you have been doing.

-Hee-sung oppa’s number one fan-

“Do you like it that much?”

Manager Kim burst into laughter as he saw the corners of my mouth rising without me realizing it as I read the letter.

“Of course, this is the first time I’ve ever received a fan letter in my life.”

My heart was filled with emotion at the handwritten letter.

This feeling of being full even without eating.

My whole body was warm and I kept smiling.

To be able to admire and support someone so much that they would even write a letter.

I was so grateful to the high school girl who sent me the letter that I couldn’t help but overflow with gratitude.

In addition, my motivation was even greater.

If I have a fan who likes me this much.

The only way I can repay them is to appear on TV more often.

I read the letter again and looked up at Manager Kim.

“Hyung [older brother/close male friend], I’m going to audition for a mini-series again this time.”

Manager Kim smiled brightly at my words and replied.

“Let’s do that.”

“Is there anything good among the scripts that have come in?”

He took out a pile of scripts as if he had been waiting for my words.

“While you were filming, I read them from time to time and picked out the good ones.”

I showed him double thumbs up.

“You’re the best, hyung.”

“Then, choose from these.”

“Okay. I’ll read them quickly.”

I immediately sat down and picked up the script that was on top.

And I quickly opened the first page.

***

While sitting in the same spot for several hours reading the scripts.

Beep beep.

A loud phone call.

[Caller: Mother]

I turned over the script I was reading and pressed the receive button.

“Hello?”

-Oh, son. Are you busy?

“No, I’m okay.”

-I watched the drama ‘Clockmaker and Dancer’.

I deliberately didn’t tell my parents about this ‘Clockmaker and Dancer’ drama.

I thought that they were already strongly opposed, and they might be disappointed in my small role if they watched the drama.

But my mother’s voice was quite bright.

-Our son, you’re good at acting.

My mother’s short words touched my heart more than any fancy praise.

I was deeply moved by this simple statement because she had been so against my becoming an actor.

I swallowed once, smiled, and said.

“Did Dad watch it too?”

-Of course. Your dad watched it with me.”

In fact, my father was even more opposed than my mother.

That’s why I couldn’t help but wonder about my father’s reaction.

-Your dad said he was too embarrassed to talk on the phone….”

A faint laughter from my mother on the other end of the line.

-I hope I can see you more on TV, our son.”

I clenched my fist at my mother’s words.

I want to do so well.

I want to appear in more dramas, and I hope my face will be shown everywhere when they turn on the TV.

Because that would make my parents happy and fulfill my own wish.

I wanted to become an actor like Choi Seo-bin and repay my parents who raised me with such difficulty.

Very desperately.

“I’ll do better, Mom.”

***

“Cut, the last scene is perfectly okay!”

Director Bae smiled brightly.

“Everyone worked hard.”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“Everyone really worked hard.”

Everyone hugged each other without anyone saying anything first.

While greeting each other with joy and regret at the end of the project.

The assistant director approached.

“Everyone, you’ve all worked so hard.”

He shouted so that everyone could hear.

“Take a good rest starting today, and the after-party will be on the day the last episode airs. Let’s all get together.”

Currently, episode 10 was airing, and the last episode was in three weeks.

Everyone clapped and celebrated the end of filming, promising to attend the after-party.

Equipment was being organized on the set, and actors and staff greeted each other and left one by one.

Before getting into the car, I quickly walked towards Choi Seo-bin, who was standing some distance away.

“Um….”

As I got closer, Choi Seo-bin smiled brightly and looked at me.

“You worked hard, Hee-sung.”

“No. You worked hard, senior.”

I carefully handed him my cell phone.

“Can I get your phone number, senior?”

He readily nodded at my cautious question and took the cell phone.

“Of course.”

He immediately typed in his phone number, and we promised to meet again.

As soon as I got in the car, we quickly left the set.

“Hee-sung, you worked hard.”

Manager Kim looked at me in the rearview mirror and said.

“No, hyung, you worked hard too. Going back and forth between 지방 [rural area] filming and the set.”

I stretched my stiff body and asked him.

“Hyung, but how many days can I rest now?”

He shook his head at my words.

“No, there’s one more thing to do.”

“The filming is over, right?”

I tilted my head, confused by the mention of more work even though there were three weeks left until the after-party.

“No.”

When the red light came on, Manager Kim turned around with a meaningful expression.

And he stared at me and raised the corners of his mouth.

“You’ve been offered a variety show.”

“…Huh?”

My heart rate started to speed up at his words.

Manager Kim replied with a confident look.

“Let’s do it.”