An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 343

343. Episode 62 – Influence (3)

After Song Yoona went back to Korea, I was alone again in New York.

A spacious house provided by WOM.

I took a sip of coffee, gazing at the large chandelier hanging in the middle of the living room with its high ceiling.

“It’s been a while since I’ve felt this relaxed.”

Musical practice started even before the movie’s release.

Days of running non-stop, weekdays and weekends, day and night.

I devoted myself even more to practice in this field I was challenging for the first time.

Unlike movies or dramas, musicals didn’t have ‘NG’s [No Go, meaning no retakes].’

I was filled with the desire to do better than anyone else.

Because I thought of acting, and the next step after dramas and movies, as musicals.

Even though I was already dedicating myself to practice outside of sleeping and eating.

After the release of the movie ‘Karma,’ I had to divide my sleeping and eating time even further.

While filming ‘Karma,’ I had the conviction and confidence that the movie would be a hit.

It was achieving even greater results than expected.

So, I could see that the expectations for me, the movie ‘Karma,’ and the musical ‘Karma’ were growing even more.

I could tell well enough without having to look up articles or receive calls from reporters or fans.

My appearance on TV in America.

My photos and posters of ‘Karma’ visible everywhere I walked in the middle of New York.

The popularity was palpable, and the pressure for the musical grew accordingly.

Perhaps that’s why I had no choice but to immerse myself even more in practice.

I had to meet the expectations pouring in for me.

There was nothing I could do besides practice.

As I spent time mindlessly, the distinction between weekends and weekdays disappeared, and there was no time to sit quietly at home and drink a cup of coffee.

So, this moment felt so precious to me.

“Was the house always this big?”

The first time I felt like I was thoroughly facing the house.

I was admiring the size of the house, which felt new, when.

Bee-beep.

[Sender: Senior Choi Seo-bin]

As much as I was feeling relaxed for the first time in a while, I raised the corners of my lips at the sight of a welcome name that I hadn’t seen in a while.

“Senior!”

– Oh, Hee-sung. Are you free to talk?

“Of course. How are you doing?”

– Yeah, it’s night in New York now, right?

“That’s right.”

– I figured you’d be resting, so I timed my call.

“Thank you, I should have called you.”

– Our world star is busy. I should be the one calling you.

I burst into laughter at Choi Seo-bin’s playful tone.

“Oh my, I’m so embarrassed when you say that, Senior. Haha.”

– Embarrassed. These days, Korea, no, the whole world is going crazy over Jin Hee-sung.

“No, it’s not.”

– I went to see the movie today.

“You saw ‘Karma’?”

– Yeah, after watching the movie, I understood why the whole world is in a Jin Hee-sung craze right now.

“I don’t know what to do with myself, Senior, since you keep praising me after not talking for so long.”

– I really enjoyed the movie.

“Thank you.”

– This isn’t just something I’m saying, it’s really amazing. It’s rare to encounter a work like this, and it’s even harder to pull it off so well.

I nodded in the air and replied.

“It’s all thanks to you, Senior.”

– No, it’s not. And if I could add one more thing… I think you’re better than me.

At his words, I jumped up from my seat and waved my hands in the air, replying.

“No, I learned everything diligently from watching you, Senior.”

– I don’t give compliments easily, but this movie was really crazy. I mean it.

At Choi Seo-bin’s words, one side of my chest felt like it was heating up.

It was a different feeling from when I received support and recognition from Song Yoona, who is someone I love.

I couldn’t help but feel touched by the words that Choi Seo-bin, whom I respected as an actor, as a senior, and as a person, was sincerely conveying to me.

I swallowed hard and carefully opened my mouth.

“Thank you so much. Still, there’s so much I can learn from you, Senior.”

At my words, he laughed and joked.

– Of course. But that doesn’t mean you’ve surpassed me.

“I know. Haha.”

– I think you’re better than me in this work… that’s what I mean.

“Of course. You’re always above me, Senior.”

Choi Seo-bin laughed and asked me a question.

– Haha, so when are you coming to Korea?

“I think it’ll be a while.”

– Well, you must be busy preparing for the musical.

“Yes, I think I’ll only be in New York preparing for the musical. I don’t think I’ll be going back to Korea until the musical is over.”

– Yeah. It’s too far to come just for a short break.

“That’s right.”

– After watching the movie, I felt proud, and I wanted to have a drink with you, Hee-sung, after a long time. I called because I thought of you.

“Thank you for calling.”

– I’m going to take a break until I start my next project. I might go to America. Let’s go have a drink.

“That would be great!”

– Then I’ll check my schedule and give you a call.

“Yes, let me know and I’ll plan a course [an itinerary].”

– Okay. Prepare a full New York course for me too. Hahaha.

I laughed heartily at Choi Seo-bin’s words.

“Yes, trust me!”

***

Clap clap-

A dark movie theater.

Applause erupted from several places even before the end credits started rolling.

Hails also poured from the mouth of Park Soon-hee, a long-time fan of Jin Hee-sung.

“Wow… it’s really no joke [amazing].”

Joo Seo-hyun, her friend sitting next to Park Soon-hee, also exclaimed in admiration.

“Is this why you told me to make sure to see ‘Karma’?”

“Yeah. It’s amazing, right?”

“Yeah, Jin Hee-sung’s acting is crazy….”

Park Soon-hee nodded repeatedly, raising the corners of her lips at her words.

“Our oppa [term used by younger women to refer to older brothers or male friends] is really filming his best work every time.”

“I know. This work is really chilling.”

Park Soon-hee began to rattle on about Jin Hee-sung as soon as Joo Seo-hyun finished speaking.

“Our Hee-sung oppa is not only good at acting, but also at singing, dancing, face, personality….”

Before her words could finish, Joo Seo-hyun blocked her ears.

“Soon-hee…. I’m about to get calluses on my ears from that story.”

“Ah, sorry.”

“Soon-hee, how many times have you come to see your Hee-sung oppa’s movie?”

Park Soon-hee quickly rolled her eyes while resting her chin on her fingers.

“Um… is this the fourth time?”

“Crazy.”

“Hey, it’s only been released for three weeks. So I haven’t seen it many times yet. I’m going to see it again tomorrow with my mom and dad.”

Joo Seo-hyun shook her head at Park Soon-hee’s words.

“You’re really something.”

“This is what you call fan spirit, my friend.”

“Yeah, I know too well that you like Jin Hee-sung.”

They left the movie theater and headed straight to a cafe.

As soon as they took their seats at the table, Joo Seo-hyun snapped her fingers and said.

“That’s right, Hee-sung oppa is also doing a musical, right?”

“Our Seo-hyun, after being by my side for so long, you now know Hee-sung oppa’s schedule?”

Joo Seo-hyun frowned at her words and replied.

“No. How much have you talked about it, that I would know.”

“Was it?”

Park Soon-hee scratched her head awkwardly, then opened her cell phone.

“The ticketing is open, but I’ve been hesitating.”

“When to go see it?”

“That too… and the money….”

Joo Seo-hyun nodded at Park Soon-hee’s words.

“That’s right. Musicals are expensive. Does it cost… about 200,000 won [approximately $150 USD]?”

Park Soon-hee’s eyes widened at Joo Seo-hyun’s words and shouted.

“Hey, if it was 200,000 won, I would have gone right away. The best seats, the ones where you can see Hee-sung oppa’s face well, are a whopping 1 million won [approximately $750 USD].”

At her words, Joo Seo-hyun hurriedly put down the coffee she was holding.

“What?”

“It’s no joke, right?”

“Wow… that’s too expensive. What about the cheapest seats?”

“The worst seats are about 100,000 won [approximately $75 USD].”

“Then it must be completely in the back, back, back seats.”

Park Soon-hee nodded with a gloomy face.

“Since I’m going all the way to New York, I don’t want to see it from the very back… but going for the best seats is too expensive at 1 million won.”

Joo Seo-hyun made a tsk sound and muttered.

“It’s really the country of capitalism.”

“Yeah, since there’s also the cost of the plane ticket to New York, I’m thinking of getting a seat in the middle instead of the 1 million won one.”

“That’s right, the plane ticket and accommodation…. Soon-hee, liking celebrities must cost a lot of money.”

“It does. But it’s our oppa’s first time challenging a musical, so I definitely want to see it in person.”

Park Soon-hee took out a tablet PC from her bag and showed Joo Seo-hyun the contents she had written there, saying.

“Look at this. This is the ticket cost, and it’s my first time going to America. I want to go sightseeing while I’m there… the hotel is….”

Joo Seo-hyun’s eyes sparkled as she felt like she was going on a trip too, and she focused on her words.

“But the hotel is the craziest. Look here. Some 3-star hotels are more expensive than 5-star hotels in Korea.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. And the prices in America are crazy too.”

Joo Seo-hyun made a tsk sound and said to Park Soon-hee.

“Soon-hee, do you really have to go?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, right? The plane, the ticket, the accommodation… it’ll easily exceed at least 5 million won [approximately $3,750 USD]. Isn’t it too wasteful?”

But Park Soon-hee shook her head firmly.

“It is, but honestly, who knows when Hee-sung oppa will do another musical. And it’s starting on Broadway, so I definitely want to go.”

“Yeah. It’s the money you worked hard for, Soon-hee. You should spend it on what makes you happiest.”

“That’s right. It’s just a measly salary anyway, so instead of using it little by little on ambiguous things, I’ll use it on the place where I’m happiest!”

And Park Soon-hee’s hand moved quickly.

“Tada! I made a reservation.”

She held out her cell phone to Joo Seo-hyun with the happiest face in the world.

***

“Hee-sung!”

Manager Park ran to me and called urgently.

“Hyung [term used by younger men to refer to older brothers or male friends], what’s wrong?”

I could tell at a glance that it was good news just by looking at his face.

Because he was smiling so brightly.

“The musical tickets are sold out!”

“…Crazy.”

I expected it to be good news, but I was speechless at the happy story.

“The movie has only been out for three weeks, but if the tickets are already sold out, it’s really amazing.”

“That’s true. I can’t believe it.”

“I’m sure everyone is curious about how the ‘Karma’ movie will look as a musical, but they all want to see your musical performance, Hee-sung.”

At his words, I felt happy, but also worried.

Because I thought the fans’ expectations were increasing day by day.

So, on the one hand, I was excited.

Because I was also confident that I could meet their expectations by showing them a perfect performance.

“I really have to prepare hard. But still, to be sold out already….”

Manager Park nodded at my words and replied.

“Of course, it’s possible to sell them for a higher price since scalping is legal in the United States. But the fact that it’s sold out is important in itself.”

“But if scalping is legal, if the dealers buy the tickets and can’t sell them… won’t they refund them?”

Manager Park waved his fingers in the air and said.

“No. Due to the nature of musical tickets, it’s very difficult to get a refund.”

“Ah… then there will be almost no refunds.”

“That’s right. And considering that the ticket prices are expensive, a sell-out is a really huge deal.”

I swallowed hard and clenched my fist.

“That’s amazing.”

Then, I looked at the script for the musical ‘Karma’ in front of me and muttered.

“The musical… it’s really going to be a stage of dreams?”