The Script-Eating Actor – Chapter 87

Ch 87

KTN headquarters, 9th floor, documentary office.

In a small recording studio, a microphone was set up, and I watched the video played from the control room through an LCD monitor.

The pre-edited video showed the ‘daily lives’ of unnamed minor role actors.

As I watched the video, I felt a heaviness in a corner of my heart.

I spoke in a slightly moist voice.

“Hello. I’m actor, Do Jae-hee.”

And, referring to the script on the table, I began by pouring out my sincere feelings.

Watching a video of someone getting frostbite while filming in the cold winter.

“They say acting is a profession of waiting. When filming outside in cold weather, it’s really difficult to manage body temperature. It’s really overwhelming to take care of it alone without a manager.”

There are often times when you wait outside for eight hours a day and finish filming in just five minutes.

“Because this job is so flexible, there are many cases where it ends late at night. I know that feeling well.”

The life of an ‘unknown actor’ who is called by numbers, like Police 1 or Gangster 3, instead of their real names.

“At those times, just having a name written in the script is so precious.”

I represented their lives a little.

Among the actors interviewed in the video, there were minor role actors who had appeared in the same works as me and whom I remembered.

━ “I participated as an insurance company employee 1 in director Han Man-hee’s movie, . Watching the energy that actors like Jo Seung-hee and Do Jae-hee exuded, how they acted… and how they approached the filming set. I felt it. Ah, the physical distance between me and them on the set is only a step, but in reality, they are so far away. I have a lot to learn.”

I remember who that person is.

An actor whose face appeared for only about 3 seconds in the movie that was released in theaters.

It seems that he is still working as a minor role actor after two years.

Q. What are some memorable episodes from the filming set?

━ “Actor Do Jae-hee. He said I worked hard. That my acting was very good. That he hoped to see me again. I still remember those words. They gave me a lot of strength. Actually, the thing that gives us the most strength is that kind of thing. The feeling of being recognized as an actor? He had achieved success so quickly, but he still bowed his head and greeted me. It was touching.”

Q. If there is an actor you want to take as a role model?

━ “Do Jae-hee? An actor like Do Jae-hee was unknown just 3 or 4 years ago. He only appeared in a few morning dramas as an image minor role… but it’s amazing. In just about two years, he’s showing all his abilities as an actor.”

My name was mentioned often.

The reason why the broadcasting station specifically wanted me as the narrator.

A kind of vicarious satisfaction.

There was no actor who had gained recognition so quickly from being an unknown minor role actor.

Perhaps it’s because I am now doing things that they couldn’t do, things that no one could do, things that were only possible in their imaginations.

I spoke with a little more emphasis.

“I can’t define the lives of those who immerse themselves for 24 hours for one second, but this much is certain.”

With a more sincere heart than ever.

“The protagonist in my story is not so far away.”

I don’t know how much strength this documentary will give, but.

Absolutely, don’t give up.

*

A few days after the new year, an email arrived.

UAA contacted me, saying they would send an agent.

Thanks to that, the company was bustling about how to prepare meals and how to set the detailed terms of the contract, but I was busy in a different way.

Since I didn’t have a separate SNS account, my personal photos and information were mainly used on the company’s SNS account or fan cafe.

Recently, the number of followers of the company suddenly increased, and the number of members of my fan cafe exploded in an instant.

In the early new year, when there were no significant broadcasting activities.

What could be the reason?

It was because the KTN documentary , which was aired a while ago, had gained a positive response.

『Do Jae-hee, 60 minutes of moving narration looking back on his acting career.』

『KTN’s , Do Jae-hee becomes a legend among unknown actors.』

Accordingly, unknown actors revealing behind-the-scenes stories of filming with me. Testimonies from on-site staff also went viral on the internet.

‘A polite actor.’

‘An actor who is more professional than anyone else.’

As stories poured out, entertainment reporters, as if they had found a good prey, began to write related articles one after another. My phone kept ringing.

“I’m going to look like a snob.”

I muttered while looking at the articles about me that came up when I searched on portal sites.

“This wasn’t something I did because of recognition, though. That’s why I proceeded without a guarantee.”

“That’s influence. It’s the same with money, right? Those who earn money earn more. It’s the same with recognition. It’s set up to revolve around famous people.”

“….”

Even though it was something I did without pay, it was reported with titles like 『Do Jae-hee’s talent donation.』

It’s a good thing for me, but I even felt a little embarrassed.

I’m not the protagonist of this documentary.

But, ironically, the biggest beneficiary was me.

“It can’t be helped. It’s not a problem you can do anything about.”

“I’m just embarrassed.”

“Don’t worry about it. Since you, the face of the company, have built up this image, L&K will take good care of you. President Kwon ordered it. To take better care of the rookie actors.”

“…”

This too, from the company’s perspective, is image making.

To gain a good image with rookies, and when rookie actors flock, to try to catch a big fish there.

But I didn’t say it out loud.

Anyway, good things are good.

I felt a little complicated after seeing so many rookie and minor role actors at the <7 Years of Memory> audition.

Yes.

This is enough.

The car I was in stopped in Cheongdam-dong.

After getting light makeup at the shop, and wearing the neat semi-formal suit that Young-mi Ssi gave me, I put on a long padded coat and headed straight to Dogok-dong.

Today, a UAA agent is visiting.

“Ugh, it’s a complete trash heap. What will the Americans think if they see this?”

“Wipe this too!”

Perhaps because of the rare visit of a precious guest, the staff were busy cleaning up the surroundings.

We immediately entered the meeting room, which would be used as the UAA agent’s reception room.

Inside, except for the presidents, the Planning Director and Team Leader Park Chan-ik were seated.

The Planning Director asked me.

“Coffee?”

“Thank you.”

I accepted the Americano that the Planning Director handed me.

“Shall we talk for a bit?”

“Yes.”

I heard from the Planning Director about the contract details that we had discussed in writing with UAA.

I may be a star in Korea, but I’m a ‘rookie’ in Hollywood.

It is inevitable that I have to audition. Instead, we decided to skip the cumbersome profile video.

Once the audition schedule is set, I have to leave for the United States, and most of the expenses are borne by UAA. Profit sharing is…

“This is the important part.”

All within the expected range.

But the Planning Director smiled, raising the corners of his mouth.

“Of course, that’s only if the contract is successfully concluded today.”

“Is it possible for the contract to fall through?”

“Of course. UAA is so picky. I still can’t believe that you were cast with just one YouTube video.”

They say that it’s a famous agency called Hollywood’s number one, so they don’t accept just anyone.

They say they only accept ‘verified’ actors.

“You’re the first actor in Korea to sign a contract with UAA.”

“Hmm, is that so? Seung-hee Hyung also went to the US.”

“Yes. There were precedents for contracts with other agencies. Jo Seung-hee Ssi also signed with Hollywood TK.”

“Ah, I see.”

“But he failed.”

“…. Well, that’s right.”

Jo Seung-hee also failed.

The movie he was cast in as a supporting lead in the US was canceled midway, and the two movies he appeared in as a supporting actor both flopped.

In the end, he returned home sadly.

If the news of my Hollywood debut reaches Jo Seung-hee’s ears, he will probably try to stop me.

‘China is good, you know? Why are you making yourself suffer?’

But.

If the feeling I had a few weeks ago when I decided to go to the US was the ‘rashness’ of youth.

Now, I feel like those feelings have become a little more solid.

If my path is a ‘legend’ that no one in Korea has walked, to the point that rookie actors choose it as their number one priority, I want to show it again this time.

“Okay, I understand.”

“Rest for a bit. They’ll be here soon.”

The Planning Director patted my shoulder and left the office.

After waiting for a while, it became noisy outside.

Jae-ik Hyung, who was sitting on a chair, jumped up and said.

“Looks like they’re here.”

I cleared my throat, stood up from my seat, and straightened the collar of the dress shirt I was wearing.

White dress shirt and a shiny silver watch. As I fixed my bangs reflected in the window frame, the door opened and people entered noisily.

“Welcome, welcome.”

President Kwon Woo-chul, smiling brightly as he greeted three foreigners, and President Lee Mu-taek with a slightly displeased expression. One interpreter. And three foreign agents who looked to be in their early forties.

“Jae-hee! Jae-hee!”

The foreign agent recognized me at a glance and asked for a handshake.

I shook each of their hands.

Before sitting down and getting into the main discussion.

As if he needed to make sure of this, President Lee Mu-taek asked.

“But, where did you really see Jae-hee and contact him?”

Then, the man sitting in the middle of the agents spoke.

“It was the busking video.”

“Really? Just a video taken with a mobile phone?”

President Lee Mu-taek’s eyes narrowed.

Then the agent laughed cheerfully.

“Of course. Ah, of course. There is someone else who recommended that we watch it.”

“Someone who recommended it?”

“Yes.”

“Who is it?”

Then the agent grinned.

“It’s an artist who has a contract with our UAA, and the general music director of the movie .”

… I knew it.

But President Lee Mu-taek, who had no idea that the general music director was Ellani O’connor, asked again.

“Who is that?”

His expression was as if he was asking, ‘Who is it that you’re being so hesitant about!’

Then the agent smiled and said briefly.

“Ellani O’connor.”

“…. What? What corner?”

President Lee Mu-taek tilted his head, but everyone in the room immediately understood.

Their expressions all hardened at once.

“Huh?”

“Who? Ellani O’connor? Pop star, Ellani?”

“Really? That genius singer-songwriter? Ellani O’connor is composing the music?”

“This wasn’t even in the prior research. We only gathered information about the movie, and the information about the composition was so secret from the start…”

Ellani O’connor.

As expected, the impact of a global artist is different.

Now the problem is why she specifically recommended me.

Hmm, I should keep this a secret, right?

At that moment, President Kwon Woo-chul glanced at me and asked quietly.

“You’re not surprised? Jae-hee?”

Geez, you’re quick to notice.

I raised both hands and said a little awkwardly.

“I was very surprised?”

“….”

President Kwon Woo-chul had a suspicious expression, but he soon chuckled and said.

“Okay.”

Soon after, a simple explanation about the tedious contract continued.

But only ‘one’ story entered my ears.

“Before Jae-hee was considered for the role, there was a Japanese singer we were going to have audition for . In other words, an audition competition with him is inevitable.”

Miyamoto Ryo.

A top-class Japanese singer who dominates the Oricon charts whenever he releases an album.

He is also from the second generation of the famous Japanese band ‘Choco Buster’ and a skilled guitarist.

He can already perfectly handle ‘singing ability’ and ‘performance’, which are the necessary virtues for the role of ‘Asian musician’.

But the agent spoke as if to say not to worry.

“Even if Jae-hee loses in the audition, now that we’ve formed a relationship with us, we can continue to create audition opportunities. Of course, as long as Jae-hee doesn’t get tired of the challenge.”

“….”

Ah, so.

I got an audition recommendation from Ellani O’connor, but because the competitor is so strong, I might lose… so don’t be discouraged? We’ll push you for other projects?

“….”

As my expression became subtle, President Lee Mu-taek said with a disgruntled face.

“D*mn it, this time a Japanese guy is causing trouble.”

Of course, in Korean.

“What do they think of Jae-hee? Do they think we’re the ones who are desperate?”

“Sh-shall I translate?”

“Are you kidding me right now?”

While organizing the chaotic scene, President Kwon Woo-chul quietly asked me.

“Back down? Or go?”

“….”

Back down?

An Asian who arrived in America on Columbus’s ship is about to plant a flag on the land of Westerners.

I can’t be scared of another Asian who came on the same ship.

After all, I expected competition.

I said with a wry smile.

“Of course, I’ll go.”

Rivals. Competition. Fight.

I’m used to it.

So far, there isn’t a work I haven’t taken.

Would it be any different just because it’s America?