An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 336

336 #61 – The Realm of Acting (1)

Before leaving for America,

I stayed home to rest in Korea.

In a few weeks, I would be heading to New York and dedicating myself to practice every single day.

However, that didn’t mean I was just lazing around at home.

No matter how many singing jobs I had in the past, that was then. Now, I had to practice singing as Jin Hee-sung.

I set aside time every day to invest in acting and singing.

“Since musicals require a different vocalization, I should probably practice acting today…”

As I headed to my study and practice room, the cell phone in my hand started ringing.

[Caller: Manager Park Tae-hyun]

As soon as I confirmed it was Manager Park, I immediately clicked the receive button.

“Hey, Hyung.”

– Hee-sung, sorry to bother you while you’re resting. Is it okay to talk?

“Of course. What are you sorry about? What’s up?”

– WOM [a fictional entertainment company] contacted us, and they want to do interviews with the actors before the movie release.

“Before the movie release… that’s when I’m in New York, right?”

I quickly checked the calendar while talking to him.

– No, it’s this week, so you’d have to go to America to do the interview.

“Ah… do I really have to do it this time?”

It wasn’t that I had something to do in Korea or a schedule that prevented me from going to America.

It was just that I would be heading back to America in two weeks and staying there for several months.

So, I wanted to take a long break in Korea this time.

Once I left for America, I wouldn’t be able to come back to Korea for at least a few months.

Perhaps sensing my feelings from my tone, Manager Park quickly spoke up.

– It’s not mandatory. It’s just an interview, not a program appearance, so it’s okay. There are several actors, so they can do the other actors first, and you can film later.

“That’s a relief. So, I can go and do the interview according to my original schedule, right?”

– Yeah, I’ll tell them that. Anyway, you’re leaving for America in just two weeks.

“I know. Time really flies in Korea.”

– It’s probably because you’re comfortable.

“Hyung, are only Carly and Robert doing the interview?”

– I heard Carly and Robert are interviewing today. The time… I think they’re probably interviewing in America right now?

***

Meanwhile, at a studio in LA.

Robert and Carly were sitting side by side on the sofa, giving an interview.

“Robert, I know you have musical experience. What do you think of this project?”

At the reporter’s words, Robert smiled and opened his mouth.

“Well… actually, I don’t have that much experience. I’ve only done it once in the past.”

Robert shrugged and continued.

“But one thing is for sure, this project… will be a success.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, even if you’ve seen the story as a movie, it will be interesting to see how the work unfolds as a musical and how it’s expressed.”

The reporter nodded at his words and asked.

“I see. So, we can look forward to the movie as well?”

“Of course. I’m sure everyone will enjoy it.”

Carly, who was listening to him, also nodded.

“I think so too. There’s an actor in this project who acts better than Robert and me. Right, Robert?”

At Carly’s question, Robert nodded without resistance.

“That’s right. I hope you all see it in theaters.”

The reporter’s eyes widened, and she asked them back.

“Are you perhaps talking about Korean actor Jin Hee-sung?”

“Yes, he’s already a famous actor in Hollywood for his acting, but when I saw him in person, my jaw dropped.”

“Wow, Carly, a renowned actress, is praising him so highly, so I’m even more excited.”

Carly looked at the camera and gave a thumbs up.

“You can look forward to it.”

“Then let me ask you another question. Were there any episodes or special events related to actor Jin Hee-sung on set?”

“Um… well, there are so many that I can’t pick just one… Haha.”

At Carly’s words, Robert spoke up.

“That’s right. The three of us became so close that if we were to tell stories about the three of us, we’d have to stay up all night.”

They smiled as they reminisced about the past with Jin Hee-sung.

Then the reporter stretched out her finger for a specific question and asked.

“Then how about this question, your first meeting with actor Jin Hee-sung! Shall we start from there?”

At her question, Robert snapped his fingers and answered.

“First meeting… it reminds me right away. I was so surprised when I first saw Hee-sung on set.”

“Why?”

“I already knew he was a famous actor in Korea and the lead actor in our movie, but he brought a Korean car to the set. What was the name… Geno… sis?”

“Ah, that’s right. Korean company Hyunliang Motors.”

At the reporter’s words, Carly clapped her hands and shouted.

“Right, I saw it too. Actually, Robert and I drove sports cars to the set. He’s quite a modest friend.”

At Carly’s words, Robert tapped him on the shoulder and said.

“Carly, but that car is really good. I rode with Hee-sung once, and the seat was really comfortable.”

“Oh, I see. Hee-sung said the ride was amazing. Haha.”

“I should ask Hee-sung to prepare the same car for me when I go to New York this time. It looked good on Hee-sung, you know?”

They continued the interview for a long time with stories about Jin Hee-sung.

***

Ding-dong-

As soon as I pressed the doorbell, I stood in front of the door with a playful expression.

And the door opened as if waiting.

“Hey, Hee-sung. It’s been too long.”

The person welcoming me was the owner of this house, Choi Seo-bin.

“Sunbae-nim!” [A Korean term for a senior colleague or mentor]

“You had a hard time coming here.”

“Oh, no. It’s quick by car.”

I headed to the living room with luggage in both hands.

Food was already set up in Choi Seo-bin’s kitchen.

“Wow… Sunbae-nim, why did you prepare so much?”

“It’s nothing. I just ordered everything. Why did you buy so much?”

At his words, I put down the paper bag in my hand and answered.

“I bought some wine that Sunbae-nim likes.”

“Thank you. But I have a schedule tomorrow, so I can’t drink. Is that okay?”

“Of course. I’m staying away from alcohol these days because I’m practicing.”

“That’s a relief. Let’s sit down and eat quickly.”

“Yes.”

We sat facing each other at the table and started eating the food he had prepared.

As it had been a while since we met, we focused more on conversation than food.

“Sunbae-nim, I enjoyed your recent work. The response is very good.”

At my words, Choi Seo-bin waved his hand in the air and said.

“It did well in Hollywood, but the number of viewers in Korea wasn’t as high as expected.”

It wasn’t the first time Choi Seo-bin had advanced to Hollywood.

The movie he had previously advanced in hadn’t done well, so he was feeling a lot of pressure for this project.

Fortunately, the response in Hollywood was good, but as he said, it didn’t do very well in Korea.

It wasn’t a terrible result, but it wasn’t a huge hit either.

At Choi Seo-bin’s words, I shook my head vigorously and said.

“The Korean movie market is very competitive these days.”

I indirectly talked about his movie that didn’t do well in Korea, and Choi Seo-bin nodded and answered me.

“That’s true. By the way, when is your movie being released, Hee-sung?”

“It’s in June.”

“It’s not long. Then when are you going back to America?”

I rolled my eyes and answered him.

“Now… a little over a week left.”

“It’s soon. Be sure to succeed. No, you will succeed. I’m sure of it.”

At his words, I smiled playfully and said.

“Of course. I will definitely succeed. The top actor in Korea is cheering me on like this, right? Haha.”

At my words, he laughed heartily and nodded.

“That’s right. Haha.”

I put down the spoon I was holding and looked at him.

“Sunbae-nim, I wanted to say it again. I sincerely thank you.”

Choi Seo-bin tilted his head.

“For what?”

“For everything. For recommending me to WOM Entertainment, and for always supporting and helping me from the side.”

He slightly avoided my eyes as if he was embarrassed and answered.

“There’s not much to be thankful for.”

“It’s thanks to Sunbae-nim that I was able to move up as well. Thank you, Sunbae-nim.”

Choi Seo-bin raised his eyebrows with a smile.

“Then go higher, so I can brag more about recommending you.”

At Choi Seo-bin’s words, my heart was touched.

Because it was something he didn’t have to do, recommending me for the movie and musical ‘Karma’.

If he couldn’t play this role instead of me, he could just ignore it.

I knew very well that recommending his junior to a position where he could rise higher than himself was not an easy task.

As a person, whether it’s a friend, acquaintance, or stranger, it’s hard to comfortably watch someone else do better than yourself.

In that situation, he was getting excited about recommending and sincerely supporting me, his junior.

“Sunbae-nim, as an actor and younger brother… I really respect you.”

At my words, he chuckled and answered me.

“Thank you. There’s no better thing to hear as a senior.”

Choi Seo-bin looked at me with satisfaction and opened his mouth again.

“So go and show everything you want to do. You’ll do well enough.”

“I will do my best not to let down your trust and support. I will do well so that I am not a disgrace for recommending me.”

“Okay. I’ll go see the musical when it comes out. Eat quickly.”

Choi Seo-bin then filled his mouth with food.

I looked at Choi Seo-bin and reaffirmed my heart.

***

Now, only 8 days left until I return to New York.

At this point, with a little over a week left, I was lost in thoughts about the future.

Not the musical practice and performances that will start in New York, but the future after that.

“What should I do after the musical…”

The future I’m thinking about, that is, ‘goal’.

I had always run towards my goal since I started acting.

First, a supporting role, then a leading actor.

Leading roles in public TV dramas and leading roles in movies.

That way, my goal gradually increased, and I always ran and ran to achieve it.

The ultimate goal that actors dream of, advancing to Hollywood and succeeding there.

The thought that the end was near brought excitement and confusion at the same time.

“Once the musical is over… what should I look at and run for now?”

Frankly, I thought I had reached the peak as an actor.

If the musical ends successfully, I judged that there would be no more places to climb.

Then the next thing is to live for my life.

“Then… marriage? Or living and eating in a resort for the rest of my life?”

A life that everyone dreams of at least once.

But I wanted to act more than that.

Even if there is no goal for a higher place, it is that I do not want to let go of ‘acting’ itself.

Now, even if I spend 100 million won a month, I won’t be able to spend even half of my assets until I die….

“Okay, let’s keep acting even if we don’t make money. No, I have to… act.”

Moment.

The script in front of me came into view, and I burst into laughter.

“I have to think about it after the movie and musical are a hit. Why are you thinking about the next thing already?”

I shook my head and opened the script.

“I don’t know anything. Let’s act, act!”

That’s how I devoted myself to practice until late at night today, again and again.