Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 110

The Thug and the Firefighter (6)

* * *

They say time is the process of realizing one’s tastes.

Actors transitioning from mid-career to veteran, from middle age to old age, share interesting commonalities. They dislike celebrity vans, feel uncomfortable with young managers, and only frequent certain restaurants.

Some treat their grandson-aged employees like servants… but mostly, they prefer those of a similar age.

Seok Pil-ho is no different.

“Hyung-nim [older brother/respected colleague], you’ve worked hard.”

A tinted, high-end SUV.

With his hand on the steering wheel, the middle-aged road manager speaks towards the back.

In the back seat is the veteran actor who gave a stellar performance today. It’s Seok Pil-ho, who perfectly recreated Chairman Eun Ki-hak of the Sunhwa Group, but his complexion is somehow dark.

“Euhm…”

A meaningful groan escapes Seok Pil-ho’s lips. Sensing something strange, the road manager asks.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Seok Pil-ho tends to make serious things sound like jokes. He’s naturally cheerful, but if an accident really happened on set, it’s a big deal.

“Jin-wook, have you ever received a death threat? Whether it’s a phone call or in writing.”

“…Why would I receive something like that? Hyung-nim, did you fight with someone on set?”

“I didn’t fight, but…”

Seok Pil-ho stroked his chin. The white beard, running from his sideburns along his jaw, is rough.

“About thirty years ago, I got into a fight at a street stall in Mia-ri. In my youthful exuberance, I raised my voice and pushed a guy. But that guy’s group suddenly pulled out sashimi knives.”

“Yes, I’ve heard that dozens of times. You even told it when drinking with Hyung-nim Baek Jang-hyeop.”

“I felt that feeling again, with our youngest grandson.”

“……?”

The road manager just rolls his eyes.

He wasn’t on set when they filmed the first scene at Hanjo Tower, so he wouldn’t know. No, even if he had watched, he wouldn’t have known.

That murderous intent… the chilling sensation of contemplating whether to kill this guy or not, was entirely focused on Seok Pil-ho.

‘Everyone else seemed oblivious. Except for the director of photography who was holding me from the side.’

The wrinkled corners of his mouth lift. It’s an art of not scattering emotions carelessly, but gathering them at one point and stabbing.

The other two juniors were also quite good, but they didn’t measure up to the young guy Baek Jang-hyeop praised so highly. The praise he had heard until the day before still rang in his ears.

‘The first shoot is tomorrow? Only things that would terrify even Seokga [Buddha] remain.’

‘Hey, stop making such a fuss. There are many actors who are good at acting.’

‘That’s not the issue. You’ll know once you work with him. He controls everything from emotions to breathing as he pleases, but even the director doesn’t know until he sees the filmed footage. Is it even possible to project an inner self onto the camera that even the set couldn’t catch?’

Now Seok Pil-ho understands.

Living in the world of acting for decades, how many foolish and clumsy performances had he seen? The ‘real deal’ that makes your skin crawl is rare and precious.

Moreover, Park Geon is only in his second year since debut. The fact that a rookie can turn emotions on and off like a light switch is…

“Park Geon, how many works has that friend done so far?”

“Uh… two or three dramas, one movie, so it won’t be five. I watched some with my daughter because she’s such a big fan.”

In response to the manager, who recently binge-watched ‘General Baekjeong,’ Seok Pil-ho took out his smartphone.

Soon, his wrinkled fingers move as fast as a young man’s. After the connection tone, a formal voice answered the phone a few seconds later.

-Yes, Chairman!

“It’s been a while, Chief Jang.”

-You know that both the CEO and I are eagerly waiting for a call from you, senior. Is there anything uncomfortable on set…

“It’s nothing much. Can you arrange an interview? With a place that gets a lot of clicks.”

*

[‘The Thug Regressor Returns’ First Filming Review… Actors Say in Unison, “Feeling a Great Success”]

[Seok Pil-ho Exclusive Interview, “A Chilling Feeling During Filming After a Long Time, Goosebumps at Grandson’s Acting”]

[Eun Chairman of ‘ThugReg’, Park Geon’s Regressor Instinct that Shocked Seok Pil-ho? D-15 Until First Episode]

“Seok Pil-ho, does this old man ever praise anyone? It seems Actor Park has done something again.”

As Team Leader Gong skimmed through the article, the PR team staff added a word each.

“Why? Doesn’t he usually do that?”

“Oh, now that you mention it, is that so? I’ve never seen Seok Pil-ho give lip service to other actors.”

Team Leader Gong replied.

“Is being a good person the same as praising anyone? Seok Pil-ho debuted before Seo-young was even born. He’s experienced everything from the bottom of the theater scene, full of military discipline, to movies and dramas, so it’s understandable that today’s kids don’t meet his standards.”

From the PR team’s perspective, it’s actually better. It’s much more effective for a weighty person to say a word than for people who usually praise every Tom, Dick, and Harry.

A female employee manipulating a tablet PC said.

“He only plays the role of chairman every time, but if you listen to the staff, his personality is good. He tells grandpa jokes instead of dad jokes.”

“Oh, then he’ll get along well with Gu Shin-seung?”

“Choi Pil-rip is also subtly funny… and Park Geon is also on a roll these days. The occasional punchlines he throws are completely killer points.”

Park Geon’s humor is more popular with those who know it. He throws out random things, but there’s a subtle consistency, so it bursts out without resistance.

The higher-ups also think highly of him, and it seems that Director Lee Seong-cheol is considering appearing on a variety show soon.

“Well, the day Actor Park goes on a variety show, that neighborhood will be turned upside down…”

Ting, a text message arrives just in time. Team Leader Gong smiled as he checked the sender.

“Right now, that’s probably the most fun drama set in Korea.”

*

The setting of ‘ThugReg’ is extremely tragic.

Just looking at Eun Han-seom’s narrative, there’s nothing right about it.

Chairman Eun Ki-hak has two sons and one daughter, and that daughter chose a love marriage instead of a political marriage, bringing in a son-in-law.

-How dare you taint the Eun clan with the blood of a lowly person! The world will look down on us. The child’s surname should follow Jae-young’s side!

His father was a popular actor in his prime, but he’s no match for a leading conglomerate [large business group]. That’s why Eun Han-seom’s surname follows his mother’s side.

-Eun Han-seom, the grandson of Sunhwa Group Chairman Eun Ki-hak, who was kidnapped, was released after 28 hours of being missing. The perpetrators are two ex-convicts who were after ransom…

In addition, he grows up to be a twisted thug after experiencing the kidnapping he suffered as a kindergartener and the death of his mother when he was a middle school student.

―Get lost, you damn bitches! How many times do I have to tell you not to hang around me?

―Oh, Master······.

―Who’s your master? I know you’re all trying to stab me in the back like you did to my mother. Go tell Grandpa to come himself!

That was after Eun Han-seom became an adult.

The conflict between the grandfather sitting on the iron throne, the incompetent uncles, and the half-blooded grandchildren escalates into a bloody power struggle.

With the death of Chairman Eun Ki-hak, Sunhwa Group, which once supported the Korean economy, repeatedly splits and heads down the path of collapse.

It has been praised for realistically depicting the fraternal strife, personnel purges, and family expulsions that actually took place in chaebol [large family-owned conglomerate] families… but the atmosphere on set is the opposite.

“Park Geon, if you haven’t had lunch, want to grab something together? We have some time before the next shoot.”

“I just ate with Gu, but I can eat again.”

The Roman Brothers.

It’s a nickname the staff started using to refer to ‘Gu-Park-Choi’ after the first shoot.

Just because they’re artists from the same company doesn’t necessarily mean they get along. If it were girl groups and boy groups, there would at least be scandals, but if they’re the same gender and age group, they become targets for comparison.

But these three are a little different.

“What time do I finish today?”

Choi Phillip, sprawled on the sofa on one side of the set, asked, and Gu Shin-seung replied.

“How would an electronics guy know when a heavy industry guy gets off work? Ask your secretary.”

“I gave Young-tae hyung [older brother/male friend] the day off today. It’s his 500th day with his girlfriend. How can actors be worse at dating than their managers?”

“Choi Phillip’s last shoot is at 7 PM. I saw it when the director was looking at the daily schedule earlier.”

“Ah, thanks. That concept freak is no help.”

“Concept freak? If Grandpa heard that, he’d rain down fire······.”

“Park Geon, shut that hyung [older brother/male friend] up. I’ve been working out lately, so I can’t beat him with strength.”

With Park Geon at the center, Gu Shin-seung and Choi Phillip are always together, exchanging banter.

It’s understandable for the two who are the mood makers of the set, but even Choi Phillip, who is usually prickly, surprisingly treats Park Geon without hesitation.

“Okay, let’s take a twenty-minute break! Our Roman Brothers, let’s hang in there a little longer until dawn!”

“···I’m so sleepy.”

“Uh-oh, that’s not Eun Sun-in’s tone? Someone get some caffeine for Gu!”

During the ongoing shoot, PD [Production Director] Na Jong-mo threw a joke at Gu Shin-seung, who was staggering.

Gu Shin-seung’s over-immersion is a kind of acting practice. The more tired he gets, the more blurred the concept becomes, and when his stamina runs out, his ‘real character’ comes out.

‘It’s kind of cute to watch. Especially when he imitates the protagonist of a martial arts novel, I want to take some shorts and upload them.’

Gu Shin-seung’s manager, Yang Soo-yeon, explained with a smirk. This actor and manager feel like a nagging older sister and a disobedient younger brother.

‘But he’s a good kid… It’s just that he has too much of a playful side, but what can I do if that’s how he relieves his acting stress.’

‘I should try it with my younger sibling. Sun-i might actually like it.’

‘······Yes?’

Talking about acting is also helpful. Time flies by listening to daily routines, criteria for choosing works, and things to be aware of as a top male actor.

‘There have been many actors I’ve worked with, but······.’

It’s different from Seo Hee-do or Byun Hwi-seung. The former two are also good actors, but it’s difficult to compare them to the top stars who are dominating the film and drama industries at the moment.

“Park Geon definitely looks good in a suit.”

Thanks to the outfits of the chaebol heirs changing every scene, both the stylist and the actors are busy.

Choi Phillip admired in the tent made for changing clothes, where he changes clothes several times a day.

“I think I look ordinary.”

“No, I hate insincere compliments like the people in this industry. But you definitely look like a model. There’s a reason Armani picked you.”

“Didn’t Phillip also take pictorials [photo shoots]?”

“I did a lot. I’m tired of luxury goods and suits, and these days I want to try some unique concepts.”

Gu Shin-seung, who was getting makeup done with his eyes closed, chimed in.

“It would be fun to shoot the three of us in an outdoor or suit ad, or a group pictorial. If we say we’re shooting, the advertisers will come running with bundles of money.”

“I’m in. I’ve never done a pictorial shoot other than magazine interviews.”

Park Geon’s reaction was positive, but Choi Phillip refused outright.

“What group pictorial? The pay will decrease.”

“Don’t worry about it. Your grandfather will give you pocket money.”

“Hyung [older brother/male friend], get a grip. Our grandfather isn’t Chairman Eun Ki-hak, but Teacher Seok Pil-ho.”

The stylists try to hold back their laughter. The conversation of these three, who go back and forth between reality and drama, causing cognitive dissonance, is also one of the highlights of the set.

Choi Phillip said as if he suddenly remembered.

“That’s right, Seok’s interview is out too. Park Geon must have really impressed the teacher.”

“That means his acting was good. He’s usually stingy with praise.”

“I wish I had been Eun Han-seom······.”

“You should win rock-paper-scissors first, second.”

“That was a scam!”

Choi Phillip, who shouted, turned to Park Geon.

“Park Geon, you’re finishing early today, right?”

“Yes. I’ll be done in the afternoon.”

“Then how about dinner in Hannam-dong? My friends said they’d throw a first episode party, and there will be quite a few actors and announcers coming.”

Within ‘Manghoe-dol,’ the different personalities of the Sunhwa Group’s three brothers are also reflected in the colors of their suits.

The conservative and strict Eun Sun-in wears black and dark gray, Eun Sun-chang, the embodiment of desire, wears flashy primary colors, and the protagonist Eun Han-seom mainly wears dark blue tones.

“Thank you for the invitation, but I don’t think I can make it today. I have to go pick up my father right away.”

Park Geon, who had already finished his transformation, politely conveyed his reason for not attending. Choi Phillip clicked his tongue.

“I can’t help it. Family dinner comes first.”

“Ah, it’s not a dinner… I have to go to the filming set in Anseong. The EBC people will be waiting.”

“Filming set? Why there?”

It was news to him. Gu Shin-seung, who was getting makeup done, and the stylists also turned their attention.

Still with the same indifferent expression, the answer came back.

“I’m going to be filming a documentary this time. As a co-star with my father.”

* * *