An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 5

#2 – Unexpected (1)

At Kim Director’s words, I didn’t need even a moment of hesitation.

No, hesitation was a luxury I couldn’t afford.

With a confident expression, I nodded vigorously and replied,

“Yes! I’m really confident. If you trust me with it, I won’t let you down.”

I spoke with such a firm voice that the assistant director passing by was startled, turned his head, glanced at me, and walked on.

At my words, Director Kim smirked, raising one corner of his mouth.

“Well… I’m not expecting anything amazing, just do what you did today. Exactly like that.”

“Yes, I’ll work hard. Thank you, Director.”

He then raised both corners of his mouth with satisfaction.

Then, pointing behind me with his chin, he continued,

“Tell the assistant director over there later that you’ll be doing the role of the royal guard tomorrow, and get the script.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“How many times are you going to say thank you? Haha, see you tomorrow.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Director Kim turned around and walked away.

I bent at the waist, watching his receding figure.

“Yes, I’ll prepare diligently and come!”

***

The bus from the set traveled for a long time before stopping in front of the PBC [Public Broadcasting Corporation] broadcasting station.

It couldn’t possibly drop off all the actors on the bus at their desired locations.

The staff who got off the bus left to do their jobs without even saying goodbye.

And a few minor actors remained where the bus had stopped.

“Be careful going home.”

“You worked hard today.”

“Goodbye!”

The reason why they were lingering, exchanging greetings instead of quickly leaving like the staff, must have been because of regret.

Minor actors.

That is, actors in extra roles with little importance.

So, there are many actors who finished filming as soon as it started, having only shot a single cut.

If it weren’t for Director Kim’s offer, my filming would have ended today.

They are exchanging regretful farewells because today might be the first and last time they see each other on this set.

If we meet again, it might be as minor roles in a new drama or movie, not on the ‘Hwanghwa’ set.

Of course, some of them might go to the set again tomorrow, just like me.

In the midst of people full of hesitation, I was holding the script book of ‘Hwanghwa’ in my hand.

The script for tomorrow’s filming, which I received from the assistant director before boarding the bus at the set.

“Then, I hope we can see each other again next time.”

“Yes. Let’s all work hard.”

“See you again.”

On the way back after saying my final goodbyes to them, my heart was constantly pounding.

There were actors walking back with slumped shoulders, but I was different.

I was walking up the hill towards home, but my steps felt lighter than ever.

Maybe it’s because of the script in my hand.

To think that the way home after filming could be so exciting and enjoyable.

No, has it ever been like this even once?

I can confidently say that feeling proud and happy while reflecting on my acting today is a first since I started acting.

I was always filled with sadness and anger on the way back after filming.

Even after practicing so much, I would get camera shivers as soon as I went to the set.

As a result, I had to endure harsh words countless times on set.

‘NG! [No Good/Take Again]’

‘Ha, NG. Again!’

‘Why are you so bad at acting?’

There were so many times I was chased off the set without even receiving a compliment that I couldn’t count them all.

But what was even sadder was the fact that I couldn’t fix the camera shivers, even though I knew that the things I had practiced countless times would become useless.

But today, I was recognized by everyone for my acting.

Moreover, I have an additional script in my hand that I didn’t even expect.

I’m excited and my heart is pounding.

Could there be any greater happiness than this?

I want to go home with this feeling all the time in the future.

As soon as I arrived home, I washed up and sat down with my back against the wall.

And immediately opened my cell phone and made a call.

-Hello?

“Hey, are you free to talk?”

-Yeah, are you calling because of the substitute?

“How did you know?”

-Just a feeling from your voice.

“…Is it possible?”

-When is it?

“I was wondering if you could do it from 9 AM to 6 PM tomorrow.”

-Tomorrow? Hmm…. Okay, if it’s a request from you, Hee-sung, it must be important. I got it.

“I’m really grateful. I’m counting on you.”

I let out a sigh of relief after hanging up.

I felt inwardly proud that I had become close with the other part-timers while working at the convenience store for so long.

I had been working without rest in order to ask for a substitute if the day ever came when I had to take time off from the convenience store because of my acting job.

I did all the other part-timers’ shifts whenever possible, just for a day like this.

Knock knock.

Knock knock knock knock.

Then I heard a knock.

I quickly jumped up at the sound of someone banging on the front door.

“It’s chicken!”

I don’t know how old this studio apartment is, but the doorbell is just like a picture hanging on the wall.

The button, discolored and yellowed, has been missing since who knows when, and it doesn’t even work; it’s just a decoration.

The delivery person had already disappeared, and there was only a plastic bag left in front of the door.

I live off of convenience store part-time jobs, but I can’t miss out on chicken on a day like this.

I set up a small table and took the warm chicken out of the bag.

I wanted to have chimaek [chicken and beer] on a day like this, but I have filming tomorrow, so I have to abstain from alcohol.

Instead, I took out the cola that came with the chicken and turned on a popular drama on TV.

It’s not a drama that I’m in, but I need to watch popular dramas to learn the acting skills of famous actors these days.

Monitoring is also a necessary part of studying acting.

Only after setting up all the channels could I open the cola.

Fizz.

After taking a sip of cola, I tore off a chicken leg.

Chimaek, no, chicola [chicken and cola], after suffering all day outdoors is fantastic.

As soon as I took a bite, my gaze shifted from the TV to the script next to the chicken.

And before I could take another bite, I started to immerse myself in the script like crazy, forgetting that I was holding a chicken leg in my hand.

The role I will play tomorrow is that of a royal guard.

So, it’s a scene that continues from the role I played today.

Originally, this role was supposed to be played by another actor, not me.

I have to show several times more than what that actor would have done, since I took his role.

The lines I had today were 4 lines, and the lines I will act out tomorrow are a whopping 6 lines!

It’s the most lines I’ve ever had in a role.

Mistakes are not allowed.

That sense of immersion from today, let’s just continue that.

***

The next day.

The bus stopped at the entrance of the set again today.

Even though it’s the second time, I somehow feel like people are getting used to it.

“Hello!”

I greeted the staff with a loud voice.

A staff member nodded and passed by.

A staff member glared at my greeting.

It’s the second time I’m seeing them after yesterday, but that doesn’t mean anyone greeted me back with a smile.

No, maybe the reaction has changed enough because of my acting yesterday.

At least there were no staff members yelling at me or scolding me for my greeting.

I greeted each and every one of them and walked towards the place where the minor actors were gathered.

“Oh, Jin Hee-sung?”

A man who had arrived earlier waved his hand at me and asked.

“Ah… the person from yesterday.”

The minor actor who spoke to me in this spot yesterday. It seems like he has filming today as well.

I smiled slightly, feeling inwardly pleased.

Then he pointed to the bus he had taken and asked.

“You came by bus, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I also came by bus, how did I not notice? Anyway, it’s nice to see you again.”

He shook hands with a bright smile and greeted me.

“I know, it’s nice to see you.”

As soon as he took his hand out of mine, he leaned towards me and asked a question.

“But did you hear about it?”

“About… what?”

He opened his mouth before I could even finish speaking.

“They say WG Entertainment is coming today too.”

“WG Entertainment… why are they coming here?”

“It seems like one person is coming for a special appearance.”

WG Entertainment, one of the three famous entertainment companies in Korea.

For such a famous and big entertainment company to send one person for a special appearance….

“Hurry up and look in the mirror one more time. They said they’ll probably be here soon.”

He handed me his hand mirror and said.

“No. I’m okay.”

“Hey, WG Entertainment is coming? It might be the opportunity of a lifetime.”

The reason why he is so concerned about his appearance, of course, is to make a good impression on WG Entertainment.

There are three major entertainment companies, but actors especially prefer WG Entertainment.

The other two entertainment companies besides WG Entertainment have more idols than actors, so naturally, they tend to invest more in idols than actors.

However, WG Entertainment is known to focus more on actors than idols.

In fact, they have overwhelmingly more actors than idols, so it’s famous as a place that doesn’t hesitate to invest in actors.

“Who knows? If you catch the manager’s eye today, you might even get a business card?”

Unthinkable.

A business card?

I don’t even wish for something like that. I just hope I can deliver the lines I’ve prepared without messing up.

He was busy primping in front of the mirror.

“…Is WG Entertainment really coming today?”

Whether they heard our conversation or not, the minor actors around us began to gather.

That’s because WG Entertainment is famous for actively handing out business cards when they find minor actors they like on the set.

“Yes, that’s what I heard. I didn’t hear who it was, but who cares? Just catch the manager’s eye.”

“That’s right. They’re definitely going to come and take a close look at us minor actors who don’t have agencies.”

The minor actors around me all took out mirrors or cell phones and began to groom their faces and hair.

I turned my back on them and moved to one side to review my lines.

I have to do perfectly again today.

Just as I was reviewing my lines a few times, the chaotic set was being organized.

It’s a sign that filming will begin soon.

“Preparing for the first scene today!”

As the staff shouted loudly, the actors filming the first scene moved quickly.

My turn was still left, so I focused on my lines again.

At that time, a fancy van was coming into the set from afar, passing the bus.

A new, super-sized van that even ordinary actors have a hard time riding in, that is, a van that only top actors ride in.

It was clear that the actor from WG Entertainment had arrived.

They definitely said it was a special appearance… special appearances usually only appear briefly in one scene.

Is such a successful top actor coming to such a scene?

The eyes of the staff, as well as the minor actors around me, were all directed at the van.

And soon, the large door opened.

The staff who were running towards the door shouted as if for everyone to hear.

“Actor Park Min-joon is coming!”

Park Min-joon…?

Wait a minute.

Why is that bastard…?