An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 326

326. Episode 59 – Influence (3)

Robert beamed as he showed me his social media account.

“Oh, you’re right. You’re already following me?”

He nodded proudly at my words.

“Yes, I recently enjoyed the Korean movie ‘Undercover’ very much.”

My eyes widened. “You watched Undercover?”

After ‘Undercover’ became a hit in Korea, it gained worldwide fame on OTT [Over-the-Top media services, like Netflix or Hulu]. Still, it was amazing to meet a Hollywood actor who had actually seen my movie.

Robert shrugged, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Of course. I think it would be faster to find people in the acting world who *haven’t* seen ‘Undercover’, you know?”

“Wow. I appreciate you saying that. Haha.”

“I’m more grateful. I’m so happy to be working with actor Jin Hee-sung like this.”

Robert’s expression and tone were sincere and straightforward.

It was a clear and honest conversation, without any hint of deceit. It was almost as if *I* was the one who had been prejudiced against *him* based on his past.

Had his attitude towards Asians changed after self-reflection due to the racial discrimination controversy? Or was Robert really my fan, as he claimed?

Whatever the reason, our first meeting ended on such a positive note that I had no cause for concern.

I extended my hand.

“Please take good care of me in the future.”

Robert glanced at my outstretched hand, and the corners of his lips quirked upward. He wiped his palm on his thigh, then firmly grasped my hand and shook it.

“I look forward to working with you too. Let’s be friends.”

“Yes, that’s great.”

Robert looked at his social media account with a satisfied expression. My name was now among his followers.

He twitched his lips and headed to his seat. I finished my greeting and found my assigned seat, which happened to be next to Callie, the Black actor.

As I approached, Callie and I made eye contact. We exchanged awkward greetings and then shifted our gaze to the script.

Callie could be authoritarian, but he was undeniably talented. Moreover, based on his past behavior, I had no concerns about racial discrimination.

While looking at the script, I decided to strike up a conversation with him, driven by curiosity.

“Callie?”

I had wanted to talk to him earlier, but Robert’s arrival had interrupted us.

“Yes.”

“Let’s work well together in the future.”

He nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Okay. I’ve heard a lot about you, Hee-sung.”

“Pardon?”

I tilted my head, and Callie gestured towards me with his chin. “Hee-sung, you’re an actor who started in Korea, right? It’s not easy to become famous there and then make it all the way to Hollywood… but here you are.”

“Ah…”

I smiled faintly, but a slight frown creased my brow. Was that a compliment or a veiled warning?

I couldn’t quite decipher his meaning, but it didn’t sound entirely positive.

“Hollywood can be dangerous if you don’t have the skills. Let’s get along well in the future.”

“…Yes.”

The conversation with Callie ended on that somewhat stilted note. It was rather aloof.

Perhaps this was the standard first meeting greeting with Hollywood actors. Robert had been overly kind.

Yeah… this is probably normal.

Still, Callie’s tone and attitude seemed sharp to me for some reason. I glanced at him and then focused on practicing my lines.

***

The script reading room buzzed with activity. As the designated time approached, people who had been waiting outside filed in, and the announcement of the start was imminent.

The script reading in Hollywood felt quite different from those in Korea.

In Korea, it’s common for only the director, writer, and actors to gather. But Hollywood script readings were on a different scale.

Not only the director, writer, and actors, but also investors, producers, and industry stakeholders who were financially backing the movie were all present.

Consequently, the script reading room had to be enormous, resembling a large corporate conference room.

Here, everyone focused intently on the actors’ script reading. It felt like performing in front of a large crew on set.

Of course, the director was in overall command, but the investor’s influence was palpable.

This made the script reading in Hollywood even more nerve-wracking.

Director Fabian, who had been sitting on the edge, jumped up and announced the start.

“Let’s begin the script reading.”

His gaze, however, was directed not at the actors, but at the investor.

The script reading commenced immediately. The first line came from Robert, the white actor.

As if he had never smiled so brightly, he quickly immersed himself in his role and delivered his lines.

“It’s a good day to kill someone, don’t you think?”

Robert’s face twisted into a sinister grin, and his eerie lines sent shivers down the spines of many in the room.

His experience and acting prowess were evident in just that one line.

Robert slyly raised his eyebrows and continued.

“Haa… so how many people am I going to end today?”

He gestured in the air, pretending to handle props, and the corner of his mouth, which had been raised, quickly drooped.

Bang-

“What, why is this bastard… on this list? Who the hell is the client!”

He slammed the table with his clenched fist, startling many in the room.

I admired Robert’s acting. It was immediately clear that he was a top-tier talent in Hollywood.

Robert had undergone a period of self-reflection due to racial discrimination issues, but many fans had eagerly awaited his return. Despite his problematic past, Robert’s acting was undeniable.

He was, after all, one of the top actors in Hollywood.

Personality issues aside, Robert possessed overwhelming skill.

Just a few lines, and even though he was only performing the first scene, everyone in the room was rendered speechless.

That’s how Robert’s scene, which had captivated everyone’s attention, concluded.

Callie’s first scene followed. Callie was playing a police officer in this movie. He had mentioned that he had worked as a police officer before becoming an actor, which made his performance even more anticipated.

Callie imagined his co-star in front of him, and without even looking at the script, he began to act, staring straight ahead.

“What? Another murder case this time?”

Callie’s deep, resonant voice and clear enunciation immediately commanded attention.

“If it’s the same method this time, it must be those guys’ work. I’ll catch them and make them feel the pain that the victims felt… I’ll make them feel it all. Where’s the scene!”

With every line Callie delivered, the room transformed from a script reading into a film set.

“It’s a slum again this time. I also think it’s definitely those guys’ work. The special thing about this scene is….”

In contrast, the supporting actor playing Callie’s co-star was also excellent, but Callie’s overwhelming presence overshadowed him.

Callie made a gun shape with his hand and mimed touching a prop. Even with this simple gesture, the actors, staff, and officials held their breath, captivated by his movements.

Robert and Callie were both famous, top-class actors in Hollywood, and their talent was boundless.

I was completely absorbed in their performances, wondering if any actors could surpass them. But I quickly snapped out of it and began to focus on my own upcoming scene.

Because my acting would begin in just a few minutes.

***

Finally, Jin Hee-sung’s first scene began. The script reading room looked at him with expectant faces. All eyes were on him.

It was a scene where Jin Hee-sung and Callie worked together. Callie raised his head and stared at Jin Hee-sung’s face. Callie’s eyes seemed slightly narrowed.

In his subtle gaze, he seemed to be conveying a message to Jin Hee-sung.

Reading his eyes, Jin Hee-sung bit his lip.

‘What, is it like, let’s see how well you do?’

Jin Hee-sung interpreted Callie’s look and steeled his resolve.

Callie’s line came first.

“Hey!”

A word that landed heavily in a low voice. At his words, Jin Hee-sung’s face changed.

Jin Hee-sung looked at Callie, one corner of his mouth twisted into an evil smirk.

“Hey? Are you calling me now?”

The investors swallowed nervously and focused on the tense exchange.

“Is there anyone else besides you? What are you holding in your hand?”

“There’s nothing?”

Jin Hee-sung raised the corner of his mouth with a sly look, and Callie, playing the role of a police officer, shouted with a stern face.

“Gun… put it down, now!”

“If I can’t put it down, are you going to shoot me knowing who I am? Haha.”

Jin Hee-sung looked straight into Callie’s eyes and burst into hearty laughter, and Callie’s eyes flickered rapidly at his line. He seemed genuinely surprised by Jin Hee-sung’s acting.

And it wasn’t just Callie who was surprised. In the seats farthest from the actors, where the investors were sitting, conversations erupted.

“Wow… that Korean actor’s acting is no joke?”

“I told you. Jin Hee-sung is by no means inferior to Callie.”

“No, it’s more than that. It seems like Callie is getting caught up in Jin Hee-sung’s acting.”

The industry officials next to them nodded in agreement.

“Callie has never seemed shaken, even when he’s with other actors… this Korean actor is amazing?”

“What did I say? Didn’t I say he was a surprising rookie?”

At that, the representative from the investment company frowned and shook his head.

“It’s almost embarrassing to call him a rookie. You shouldn’t attach the word ‘rookie’ to that actor.”

“That’s why I deliberately put him in a musical movie. I’m sure it will be a success.”

***

Clap clap-

The script reading ended with applause.

“You’ve all worked hard!”

I called out to the actors, director, and numerous officials. Then Robert quickly approached me and gave me a thumbs up.

“Wow… Hee-sung, you’re a much better actor than I thought. It’s a real honor to see this acting in front of my eyes.”

I waved my hand. “No. I was impressed by Robert’s acting.”

Callie, who had been listening to our conversation, made a ‘tsk’ sound and interjected.

“It’s worth admitting.”

“Thank you.”

He tilted his head and shrugged. “There’s nothing to be thankful for. It’s not enough to give you goosebumps, but it means you’re good enough to come to Hollywood.”

Callie left, and I suppressed the laughter that was about to bubble up at his words.

Clearly, that tone and expression meant that he was jealous of me.

Callie’s attempt to hide his jealousy was evident.

Callie wasn’t discriminating against me or ignoring me, but simply feeling the emotion of ‘jealousy’.

Rather, Callie’s jealousy became a great source of strength for me.

Because this amazing actor, who had received an Academy Award and was considered a Hollywood mogul, was jealous of me.

I couldn’t help but feel honored and proud.

I smiled as I watched Callie walk away.

…I’ve grown so much.

And the desire for acting burned even more intensely within me.