An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 84

84. In the End, Surviving Is Winning (6)

[Rising Lead Actors, Jin Hee-sung & Baek Young-hoon. The Result of HS Entertainment’s Family Feud?]

[The Ratings War Within HS Entertainment. The Winner Is… Ultimately, Jin Hee-sung!]

[Even Among Family Members Eating From the Same Pot at HS, There Is a Clear Hierarchy… Baek Young-hoon’s Crushing Defeat. It Depends on the Remaining Ratings.]

“This is fucked up.”

Baek Young-hoon flipped his phone over onto the table.

On his day off from filming the drama, Baek Young-hoon came to the company to practice, and the first thing he saw when he sat down were articles comparing him to Jin Hee-sung.

The drama starring Jin Hee-sung had successfully concluded, while Baek Young-hoon’s drama had only a few episodes left before its finale.

Perhaps because of this, internet articles focused on the ratings of Baek Young-hoon’s drama.

As a result, Baek Young-hoon appeared burdened and anxious during each filming session.

Bang!

Baek Young-hoon clenched his fists and slammed them onto the table.

“No, I was clearly the one who won the casting…”

His tightly clenched fists trembled.

Baek Young-hoon slammed shut the script that was spread out beside him.

“It’s not my fault the ratings are low. The drama is just not interesting.”

Even though he was the one who chose the drama after looking at the script.

At this moment, he seemed to hate even looking at the script, pushing it aside.

“Haa—this is really pissing me off.”

Baek Young-hoon pressed his throbbing head with both hands, trying to cool down his anger.

He flapped his collar, trying to cool down the rising fury.

Still unable to calm down, he jumped up from his seat.

He walked to the window and flung it open, only to hear a sound.

“Hahaha, no, let’s try again.”

“Okay. Make sure to watch properly, okay? Haha.”

The sounds of laughter made him frown involuntarily.

He peeked out slightly, glaring in the direction of the sound.

What came into his view was none other than ‘Jin Hee-sung’.

“Damn it, it has to be Jin Hee-sung again.”

He had a headache because he kept being compared to Jin Hee-sung.

Seeing him laughing and joking in front of his eyes made his body tremble.

Jin Hee-sung and his manager, Kim, were excitedly chatting in the parking lot.

Baek Young-hoon frowned as he watched them.

Jin Hee-sung, who had gotten into the driver’s seat, opened the window and said to Kim.

“Hyung [older brother or close male friend, used as a term of endearment], didn’t I park well this time?”

“Yeah, you’re improving. Let’s do it two more times.”

“Okay!”

Baek Young-hoon crossed his arms and bit his lower lip as he watched them.

“I’m like this, but what’s so good about you, Jin Hee-sung, that you’re practicing driving? It’s annoying to watch…”

Suddenly.

Baek Young-hoon, who had been looking down, and Jin Hee-sung, who had gotten out of the car and was stretching his back, made eye contact.

Baek Young-hoon, who thought he wouldn’t have been seen, didn’t avoid his gaze.

Then, Jin Hee-sung smiled brightly and reached out his hand.

“Young-hoon!”

Baek Young-hoon was startled by his call and unfolded his arms.

‘Haa, he saw me again.’

He quickly put on a smile and shouted.

“Ah, yes. Hyung [older brother or close male friend, used as a term of endearment].”

“Don’t just watch, if you’re bored, come down and play with us.”

Jin Hee-sung shouted, bringing both hands to his mouth.

Baek Young-hoon smiled with a grin.

“Haha, it’s okay. I’m practicing my script.”

“Ah… then there’s nothing I can do. Come down if you get bored.”

“Yes, Hyung [older brother or close male friend, used as a term of endearment]. Drive safely!”

“Okay, work hard.”

Jin Hee-sung waved his hand at Baek Young-hoon.

He slightly bowed his head at Jin Hee-sung’s greeting.

Then, he slammed the window shut as if it would break.

Bang-.

He took a step back, fixing his gaze on Jin Hee-sung, who was smiling and getting into the car.

And he took a long sigh, clenching his teeth.

His cheeks trembled from how strong the force was.

“Jin Hee-sung… you son of a bitch…”

***

Knock knock.

“Oh, come in.”

At the sound of the knock, Chief Kang straightened up from leaning back in his chair.

“Chief Kang, I came to report something.”

Public Relations Team Leader Han Sung-min stood in front of Chief Kang’s nameplate on the wide desk.

“Yes, Team Leader Han.”

Team Leader Han placed the file he had brought on his desk.

Chief Kang immediately pulled the file over and opened it.

Unlike Team Leader Han, who had a serious face, Chief Kang’s face didn’t change at all.

“What is this?”

The documents that Team Leader Han brought were materials related to Jin Hee-sung.

“We received a tip from the company.”

“That’s this?”

“Yes, if you look, it’s an email from the operator of Jin Hee-sung’s official fan cafe.”

Chief Kang nodded and listened to Team Leader Han’s words.

“These are posts that were uploaded to the fan cafe. They said it seems a bit strange, so they sent us a tip.”

At Team Leader Han’s words, he tilted his head.

“After reading the contents, we also thought it seemed strange.”

“In what way?”

“It felt a bit different from ordinary fans… It had the feeling of a sasaeng [an obsessive fan who stalks or engages in other intrusive behavior of celebrities].”

At his words, Chief Kang frowned and turned the page.

The paper contained photos of Jin Hee-sung and fan cafe questions asking about him.

It just felt like it had gone beyond simply liking Jin Hee-sung,

It didn’t seem like a big deal.

“It’s just a fan who’s fallen for Jin Hee-sung, what’s the big deal.”

Team Leader Han’s eyes widened at his words.

“But, Chief, there seems to be a dangerous element…”

Chief Kang cut off his words.

“That’s enough. How many fans like that are there?”

“But if we don’t check it properly in the beginning, it could become a big problem later. You know how scary sasaeng [an obsessive fan who stalks or engages in other intrusive behavior of celebrities] fans are.”

Chief Kang slammed the file shut and said.

“It’s okay. Just skip over this.”

“Still, in our judgment, it looks very dangerous…”

“Haa, Team Leader Han. Have you been in the entertainment industry for a day or two?”

At his scolding, Team Leader Han lowered his head.

“If you worry about every little thing like that, how are you going to do the entertainment business? Does the public relations team not have much to do these days? Are you free?”

Team Leader Han barely swallowed a sigh and lowered his head.

“…I’m sorry.”

“Okay, the public relations team should be thinking about how to promote even one more person to make money. That’s what you should be worrying about.”

“Yes.”

“And the agenda that the public relations team submitted last time, revise it and submit the report by today.”

“I understand.”

Chief Kang pushed the file into Team Leader Han’s arms as if throwing it.

“Take this.”

“Yes.”

Team Leader Han suppressed his uneasy feelings and left the chief’s office.

***

The first long-distance drive since getting the car.

Because he was nervous, he lowered the music volume to the minimum and arrived home safely.

As soon as he parked and changed gears.

It felt like all the tension in his body was released.

“Haa, but after driving once, it’s not a big deal?”

He raised the corners of his lips and got out of the car.

He hurried up towards the house.

After a long time, he came to his parents’ house.

As he approached the door, it felt like he could already smell his mother’s cooking.

Bang.

“Son.”

As soon as he opened the door, his mother and father greeted him with bright smiles.

At the same time, they looked at his hands.

But today, his hands were empty.

Instead of showing disappointment, his parents sighed in relief.

“Oh, thank goodness.”

“Yes?”

“I was worried that you were coming and would buy a bunch of weird and expensive things again.”

His mother said, stroking her chest.

His father nodded repeatedly at his mother’s words.

“Haha, aren’t you rather disappointed that I came empty-handed today?”

“Not at all. I’m worried that our son will spend money, and it’s a burden.”

Soon, his father patted him on the shoulder and led him inside.

His mother, wearing an apron, said to him.

“The rice is almost ready, so wash your hands and wait a little bit.”

“Yes.”

His mother hurried to the kitchen.

Ziiing.

The phone rang as soon as he came out after washing his hands.

[Sender: Lee Myung-jin, Department of Theater and Film]

It hadn’t been long since he arrived at his parents’ house, but it was his classmate Lee Myung-jin, who knew like a ghost, calling.

He smiled and pressed the receive button.

“Hello?”

-Hey, Hee-sung. You should have contacted me when you came down.

“What, you knew I came down?”

-Of course, I knew and called.

“Really?”

At Lee Myung-jin’s words, goosebumps ran all over his body.

He had never told anyone that he was coming to his parents’ house.

No, he only told Manager Kim and his parents.

But he knew that they wouldn’t have told his classmate Lee Myung-jin.

He couldn’t help but be surprised at his words.

-Of course, you idiot.

“No, I didn’t say anything, so how did you know?”

-Haha, hey, Hee-sung. You’re a star after all.

“What are you talking about? You have to explain it so I can understand.”

-It’s already been uploaded on SNS [Social Networking Service].

“What has?”

-It’s spreading on SNS [Social Networking Service] that actor Jin Hee-sung is going down to his parents’ house. Do I have to hear your news through SNS [Social Networking Service]? Hahaha!

In Lee Myung-jin’s tone of voice, he could hear pride rather than jealousy.

More than that, it was so amazing.

Even coming to his parents’ house was uploaded on SNS [Social Networking Service].

Suddenly, he felt like he was becoming a celebrity, a star actor, and a smile spread across his face.

-Hee-sung, let’s have a drink since you’re here.

“Good. I was going to rest for a few days anyway.”

-Then come out right now.

“Ah, I just came down today, so today is a bit… How about the weekend?”

-Deal. Ji-on and Hyun-soo were also planning to meet this week. Let’s see each other together.”

“What is it, a class reunion? You already planned to meet on the weekend?”

-I know. The kids said they were coming down this weekend too. We decided to meet because the time was right, and it’s perfect since you’re coming too.

“Yeah, I’m happy to see the kids after a long time.”

He hadn’t been able to come down to his parents’ house often since he started working.

He didn’t have time to see his friends, so he was very happy about this opportunity.

-Oh, and should I call Min-joon too? Is it okay?

Park Min-joon… I was wondering what he was doing since the drama was canceled.

It seems he had come down to his hometown.

“Of course. It doesn’t matter at all.”

No, it was even better.

Because Park Min-joon was always busy attending class reunions and bragging about himself.

I was curious to see what he would say in front of his friends this time.

In particular, I wanted to see how Park Min-joon, who was always busy trying to suppress me, would treat me now.

-Okay, see you on the weekend.

“I’ll contact you.”

After hanging up the phone, the corners of his lips rose without him knowing.

Park Min-joon… let’s see how well you’re doing.

“Hee-sung, let’s eat!”

At his mother’s voice, he quickly opened the door.

“Yes, I’m going out.”

As he headed to the dining table, a full spread unfolded before his eyes.

“Wow! Mom, when did you do all this again?”

He couldn’t help but exclaim.

Hot soybean paste stew, japchae [glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables and meat], and even braised short ribs that looked tender at a glance.

It was a feast.

His mother smiled proudly as she looked at his wide eyes.

“Haha, I’m glad my son likes it. I was worried that you’d get used to the delicious restaurants in Seoul and wouldn’t like my food anymore.”

“Hey, how could that be? Home-cooked meals are the best.”

Ding-dong.

At that time, the doorbell rang.

His mother and father were startled and looked at each other.

“No one is supposed to come home for lunch?”

His father jumped up from his seat.

He quickly waved his hand at his father and opened his mouth.

“Dad, I’ll go out.”

As he went to the front door, his parents had already followed behind him.

His mother looked at the person reflected in the intercom and asked him.

“What, is it a delivery? What did you order?”

At his mother’s question, he raised the corners of his lips and answered.

“Mom told me to come empty-handed, so I didn’t bring anything… but I ordered something for delivery.”

“Oh my, we can just eat soybean paste stew and home-cooked meals, why did you order something again?”

At that moment, the door burst open.

“Hello. Your items have arrived.”

An employee wearing an electronics company vest was standing in front of the door.

He turned his head to look at his parents and smiled.

“What I ordered is… home appliances.”

“What?”

His parents asked him with startled faces.

At the same time, they turned their gaze to look at the items the employee was pulling in.

Several employees began to bring in large boxes one after another.

TV, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, refrigerator, and even an air conditioner.

His mother had to lift her head to see the home appliances that were coming in one after another.

His father still couldn’t speak with a surprised face.

“No, what is all this…”

“Mom, they said we have to take out the refrigerator at home first?”

At his words, his mother quickly clapped her hands.

“Oh my, that’s right. Sir, here…”

A smile leaked out at the sight of his mother, who was excited like a girl.

His father also couldn’t take his eyes off the home appliances being installed with wide eyes.

Looking at his parents, he couldn’t help but shrug his shoulders.