An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 52

52. #12 – What You See Might Not Be Everything (1)

“Hee-sung, you’re here?”

After getting barely three hours of sleep, I managed to pry open my tightly shut eyes and arrive at the location.

Manager Kim greeted me, holding out a coffee.

“Thanks for the coffee.”

I took a sip and asked, “Hyung [older brother or close male friend], aren’t you tired?”

We arrived home well past midnight, and since we were meeting again in the early morning after only a few hours, he must be exhausted.

In response, Manager Kim shook his head. “I get to rest on site anyway. You’re the one who’s tired, Hee-sung. Try to get some sleep on the way.”

At his considerate words, I leaned back in my seat, but the rest was short-lived.

As the drama shooting headed towards its end, the amount of filming was overflowing. Without even a moment to close my eyes, I opened the script with wide eyes.

It wasn’t like the script was coming out in real-time like a live broadcast, but there were additional scripts or revisions being made little by little. To prevent mistakes on set, I couldn’t stop practicing.

As I put down the coffee and opened the script, Manager Kim looked at me through the rearview mirror.

“Hee-sung.”

Even at his call, I answered while keeping my eyes fixed on the script. “Yeah?”

“Yesterday, after the drama ended, the viewers’ bulletin board went crazy.”

At Manager Kim’s words, I put the script on my lap. “What do you mean?”

At the word ‘crazy,’ I wondered if something had happened, and my eyes widened. Manager Kim raised the corners of his lips and handed me his cell phone. The viewer bulletin board window was open.

The content was full of posts about me and Kang Chan-sung.

-Kang Chan-sung and Jin Hee-sung’s chemistry is insane!

-I can’t help but smile whenever they’re in the same scene.

-Why can’t Hee-sung film his next drama with Kang Chan-sung too?

-I’m investing in the Chan-sung x Hee-sung line~

└Is the ‘SungSung Line’ full?

└If you want to get on the SungSung Line, you have to get a number!

I chuckled as I looked at the bulletin board. “Me and Kang Chan-sung. It seems like a fandom has formed, grouping us as the SungSung Line?”

At my words, Manager Kim nodded and said, “That’s right. And there was an article about it too.”

“Even an article?”

“Yeah, I’ve saved it in the photo album on the phone.”

As soon as he finished speaking, I clicked on the photo album, and an article popped up.

-‘Entertainment Extra’ Kang Chan-sung x Jin Hee-sung’s insane chemistry as manager and celebrity ↑

Viewers were immersed in the relationship between Kang Chan-sung and me in the drama. Just thinking about Kang Chan-sung made me frown, but the fact that it didn’t show in my drama acting made me feel proud and filled with mixed emotions.

“They say you never know what happens behind the scenes….”

I nodded at Manager Kim’s words. “I guess so.”

“It’s a relief that your chemistry looked so good because you acted so well.”

Manager Kim burst into laughter. “Is that so?”

“Yeah, it didn’t show at all in your acting that you two don’t get along.”

I smiled instead of answering him. Soon, I put down my cell phone and picked up the script again.

It wasn’t bad to have stories coming out about our chemistry in the drama, of course, but I wanted to hear more that I had the acting skills to overwhelm Kang Chan-sung.

***

A clear sky where coats were no longer needed.

It had already been a full three months since the drama shooting began. As originally planned, it was the last month of filming for the drama, so this month was supposed to be the month where I had to film the drama and the movie in parallel.

However, the start of filming for the movie was delayed due to issues with the set construction. That wasn’t a misfortune for me, but rather a stroke of luck. Thanks to that, I didn’t have to go through the difficult task of doing both at the same time.

“So, when does the movie shooting start?”

When I asked Manager Kim, he checked his schedule and said, “If it’s not delayed again, we’ll probably start with the script reading next month.”

“Yeah, so it’ll start almost immediately after the drama ends.”

Manager Kim frowned as if he was worried about me. “Yeah, you’ve worked hard filming the drama, but you won’t be able to rest much and will have to start filming right away.”

I waved my hand at Manager Kim, who was speaking in a pitiful voice, and smiled. “Hey, we were originally going to do both at the same time anyway. It’s better this way.”

“I appreciate you thinking that way.”

“What’s there to be thankful for? Rather, I’m the one who’s making you suffer because I was greedy and wanted to do both projects.”

Manager Kim raised his eyebrows at my words and stared at me with wide eyes. “Let’s work harder, Hee-sung.”

“Yeah. We need to get busier in the future!”

The corners of Manager Kim’s lips curved upwards. He then lowered his head and checked his diary.

“Ah, that’s right!”

I stared at him with wide eyes as he snapped his fingers and shouted. “Why, what’s wrong?”

“I checked the viewership ratings this morning.”

I hadn’t even been able to go home due to the drama’s final filming, so I hadn’t seen the broadcast from the previous day at all. I didn’t even have time to sleep.

“How much do you think it came out to?”

At his words, I swallowed hard. The initial viewership rating started at 3.7% and was gradually increasing, but knowing that viewership ratings don’t always follow your heart, I blinked with a very excited face.

When I didn’t give any answer, Manager Kim raised his eyebrows. “Don’t you have any roughly expected viewership ratings?”

I rolled my eyes quickly. Expected viewership ratings…. To be honest, ‘hope’ is a more appropriate word. I wiggled my eyes and carefully raised my voice.

“It would be nice if it came out to about 4%.”

At my words, Manager Kim widened his eyes with a surprised expression that anyone could see and sucked in air. “Why?”

Surprised by his expression, I asked him with a serious face. “Yesterday’s broadcast was 4.6%. It exceeded 4%.”

“Wow, really?”

At Manager Kim’s words, I shouted so loudly that the car shook. “That’s amazing!”

“I know, right? This is a really good viewership rating.”

Manager Kim and I clapped our hands together. He gave a proud smile that seemed like his cheekbones would burst.

“With this momentum, I hope we break through 5%, and the last episode exceeds 6%.”

I started to get excited by the numbers he spat out. There were many strong dramas in the same time slot, so could we receive 6% among them?

I inwardly raised my expectations and murmured quietly, “I hope it goes well.”

***

With only a few episodes left to air, the final scene of the final episode on set, that grand curtain was lowered first.

“You’ve worked hard!”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

Applause and cheers erupted from everywhere. Some staff and actors were wiping away tears. My heart was also filled with warmth.

Whether it’s a drama or a movie, there is always a clear beginning and end. During filming, I think that true acting only comes out when you completely delve into the role you’re playing and become one with that character.

That’s why I put in countless efforts and practice to fall into the role.

After a long time spent together, once the final filming wraps up, you have to say goodbye.

To the staff and actors who suffered and celebrated together.

And the moment comes when I have to bid farewell to the role that has become so important to me.

Of course, it’s hard to break away from that character.

Even if I leave behind regret and lingering affection, I know I have to completely detach myself from the role.

That’s the only way I can fully immerse myself in another character.

So today, I said another farewell to ‘me’ in this precious project.

“You’ve really… worked hard!”

After filming the last scene early in the morning, I headed straight to the wrap-up party that night.

Because today was the only day everyone could make it, given the actors’ packed schedules afterward.

The wrap-up party kicked off with almost everyone present.

The atmosphere gradually heated up in the noisy restaurant.

“Uh, is this seat taken?”

Han So-jeong, looking like she was returning from the restroom, gestured to the seat in front of me and asked.

Since the seating arrangement had shifted several times since the party started, I nodded.

“No, go ahead and sit down.”

She plopped down in the seat and rubbed her shoulder, looking tired.

It was no wonder, considering everyone had come straight from filming that lasted until morning; they all looked exhausted.

“So-jeong, have you had a lot to drink?”

She shook her head at my question.

“No. I couldn’t sleep yesterday either, so I’m just a bit tired.”

“Didn’t you get any rest after filming before coming to the wrap-up party?”

“No, after saying hello and tidying up, it was already dinner time. What about you, Hee-seong?”

I raised my eyebrows at her words.

“Me too. I was planning to rest, but after stopping by the company, I didn’t have time.”

We exchanged trivial stories and shared a drink.

“Anyway, you really worked hard on this drama, too.”

“Hee-seong, you worked hard too. But I also got to be Hee-seong’s stylist, and the role was so much fun.”

Han So-jeong played my stylist in the drama, so we had a lot of scenes together on set.

So, naturally, I ended up talking to her more often.

She raised her glass and continued.

“There were a lot of ups and downs during the filming of this drama, but I think it turned out pretty well.”

I mirrored Han So-jeong’s gesture and raised my glass.

“That’s right. I learned a lot on set while filming the drama.”

“It’s my first time as a supporting role, so the treatment is different… Anyway, it was so, so good!”

She smiled brightly and clinked her glass against mine.

“Cheers!”

We emptied our glasses simultaneously.

She started talking before even touching any of the snacks.

“Ah, do you remember that?”

Han So-jeong burst into laughter before she even began her story.

“Was it during the filming of episode 5 last time?”

She clapped her hands and laughed.

“When we filmed that scene with Hee-seong, when there was an NG [a ‘no good’ take, meaning a mistake]….”

While Han So-jeong was chattering and telling me stories while laughing, I suddenly felt a stinging gaze.

Kang Chan-seong’s cold face was in the distance.

He wasn’t looking at me; he was staring intently at Han So-jeong.

When I glanced at him, Kang Chan-seong’s eyes met mine as he sensed my gaze.

He frowned at the same time.

I smirked at his awkward expression and shifted my gaze back to Han So-jeong.

Han So-jeong, who was talking with a bright smile, turned her head at my gaze.

Then, after noticing Kang Chan-seong looking at her, she turned back to me.

Han So-jeong leaned in closer to me, who was sitting across from her, and lowered her voice.

“Hee-seong.”

“Yes?”

She swallowed once and lowered her voice as much as possible.

“Actually, Kang Chan-seong asked me to have dinner with him outside.”

“Really?”

My eyes widened at her words, and I leaned closer to the table.

She nodded quickly and said.

“Yes, he said he would teach me acting and asked to see me separately.”

My face naturally contorted at Han So-jeong’s words.

And I quickly became curious about what happened next.

“So?”

“But I already had an appointment that day. So, I refused.”

“Ah… good for you.”

I couldn’t help but praise her decision.

Kang Chan-seong’s intentions were obvious.

How could he claim it was purely to teach acting in a private meeting?

I shook my head at Kang Chan-seong’s behavior.

Han So-jeong’s lips curved into a smile at my words.

Then she snapped her fingers and said.

“Oh, I got a supporting role offer this time!”

“Oh, congratulations! What kind of supporting role is it?”

She straightened her back and raised her eyebrows.

“It’s for a terrestrial drama [a drama broadcast on a major national network].”

“Congratulations, So-jeong.”

Han So-jeong wiggled in her seat with a smile.

She soon rested her chin on her hand and looked at me.

“Hee-seong, do you have any plans coming up?”

I smiled at her question and answered.

“I’ve decided to start a movie. I’m going to start reading the script soon.”

“Wow, that’s great!”

Han So-jeong clapped her hands and shouted as if it were her own accomplishment.

“That’s really great. Congratulations, Hee-seong.”

“Thank you.”

Han So-jeong raised her glass once again.

We clinked glasses in a toast to each other’s success.

The first time I met Han So-jeong was during my first one-act play.

We were both rookies back then.

I feel like I’m growing alongside Han So-jeong.

I feel like I have a good colleague who is building up her filmography step by step from the bottom.

I can’t help but always support her.

With all my heart.

“You’re both here?”

As soon as I put down my glass, Director Lim leaned on our table.

“Yes, Director.”

He looked at me and gestured towards the door with his chin.

It seemed like he wanted to talk to me privately, away from Han So-jeong.

I nodded, got up from my seat, and followed him to the front of the restaurant.

As soon as Director Lim stepped outside, he leaned against the wall and began to speak.

“Hee-seong.”

“Yes, Director.”

He made a ‘tsseup’ sound [a sound of disapproval or contemplation] and stuck out his lower lip.

I raised my eyebrows and looked at him, curious.

Director Lim sighed briefly.

“We’re going to hold a fan signing event to commemorate the end of this drama.”

My eyes widened at his words.

“Ah, really?”

“Yeah, it’s a signing, but it’s actually closer to a fan meeting.”

But strangely, his expression wasn’t cheerful.

Why is he delivering this good news so cautiously?

Besides, Director Lim was subtly avoiding my eyes.

I tilted my head, puzzled by his attitude.

“I feel bad telling you this after everything has been decided….”

He began carefully.

“I was going to hold a fan signing event separately, but it seems like Hee-seong will have to be with Chan-seong due to scheduling conflicts.”

“…Yes?”

Director Lim finally met my gaze and asked cautiously.

“Are you… okay with that?”

Of all times.

How could the schedule be so terribly aligned like this?

This is going to be a headache.