The Script-Eating Actor – Chapter 94

Ch 94

During dinner at a high-end restaurant in LA, I had the chance to talk with Ellani O’connor alone.

This was because the production team and Director Paul Anthony had left our staff and me to discuss the detailed contract.

“Thank you, Ellani.”

Ellani smiled at my greeting.

“It’s me who should be thankful. You’ve really boosted my spirits.”

“Did you expect that I would get the part?”

“Of course.”

“Hmm, it seems like you didn’t just expect it… you strongly recommended me.”

… As a ‘pre-selected person.’

Ellani, realizing the intention behind my words, strongly denied it.

“Absolutely not. I recommended that there was an interesting actor who didn’t even need to audition. I don’t tell the director what to do with casting.”

And she said in a firm voice.

“This is an audition that Jae-hee earned entirely on his own.”

I felt embarrassed and took a sip of champagne.

It feels like I’m getting drunk on the night of LA.

The character I thought was just a ‘supporting role’ is actually at the level of a ‘sub-lead.’ And I passed the audition, breaking people’s expectations.

This whole night feels like a dream.

We didn’t mention our very brief encounter in Rome, whether it was intentional or not.

I could guess why Ellani had come to me without needing to ask.

Ellani also preferred to summarize things with just one word rather than explaining in detail.

“Jae-hee’s appearance gave me inspiration.”

“Yes?”

“The moment I actually encountered the movie character I had in my head on the train to Rome, I had a flash of what kind of song to make. It was like a movie. *Chwaruruk*.”

“….”

I don’t know much about an artist’s struggles.

Just as I got inspiration about auditions from rookie actors, she might have gotten inspiration from me.

I felt like I should live up to that expectation.

“I’ve already finished a few songs.”

“Wow, really?”

“Yes. Jae-hee has to sing them all.”

“… This is making me nervous.”

“They’re just sample songs, but would you like to listen to them?”

Ellani held up her iPhone.

“Oh, sure.”

I reached out and took her earphones, putting them in my ears, and Ellani naturally put one of the earphones in her own ear.

We listened to the song with the earphones shared between us, across the table.

Ellani had done the sampling herself, and it was just a melody with some mumbling lyrics, but.

“Hmm, this is good too.”

Isn’t this where the power of music lies?

Even if you don’t know the details, a good song is always good to listen to.

Especially the warm folk-style music, which represents the atmosphere of this movie.

‘The growing pains of somewhat lacking youths who sing of hope.’

It’s all a story I love.

After the song ended, Ellani smiled, blushing as she put away the earphones.

“Hehe.”

And then she giggled to herself as if something was funny.

I, on the other hand, had a serious expression on my face, thinking about the ‘inspiration’ that flashed through my mind while listening to the song.

“Is there a problem?”

I replied to Ellani’s question.

“Ah, no. I just suddenly thought of some actors who would be great to sing this song with.”

“Who?”

Ellani asked, her eyes sparkling at my words.

“Such inspiration is always welcome. Tell me. There are still many minor role auditions left.”

I said in a small voice.

“Ah, the friends I sang with in London.”

Sam, Hanger, Ariana.

My angels of music.

Ellani said with a delighted expression.

“Ah! The actors who were in the video with you?”

“Yes.”

I suddenly got that feeling from Ellani’s song.

Although it’s a cheerful band song, I had a feeling that it would be fun to sing with them.

Then, Ellani O’connor’s eyes lit up.

“That’s… a good idea?”

*

I finished all my schedules in LA and boarded the plane to Korea. I’m starting to get used to the long 12-hour flight now.

Incheon Airport, where I arrived after a long time.

The scenery is the same as when I left.

The only difference is.

Just as I was about to pass through the gate after finishing the document check, Park Chan-ik Team Leader blocked my way.

“Jae-hee, let’s change your clothes first.”

“Yes?”

“I just got a call, but there are reporters lined up outside?”

“… What do you mean…”

When I left for LA, it was an unofficial schedule, but it changed to an ‘official schedule’ as soon as I returned.

Ah, that’s inevitable.

My ‘Hollywood audition’ article has spread all over Korea.

And everyone must have heard the results by now.

Reporters are lined up inside the airport, and they’ve formed a makeshift mixed zone and are waiting for me.

Ugh, what on earth is going on.

“Airport fashion, huh.”

Jang Team Leader quickly scanned me up and down, and then pushed me towards the bathroom. Then, she took out some clothes from my carrier and handed them to me.

“Change and come out.”

“Ah, ah…”

I threw off the comfortable training suit, warm long padded coat, and fur hat I was wearing, and changed into a long coat, scarf, plain black jeans, and a red turtleneck sweater.

And at the same time, the hair dryer started.

*Wiiing*━

What am I doing in the bathroom?

Jang Team Leader was a pro, and after fixing my hair in 5 minutes, she smiled with satisfaction.

“Wow, you’ve turned into a different person.”

“… Is that so?”

“Yeah, so please, let’s not wear that tacky fur hat anymore.”

“….”

Thank you so much.

I changed into clean brown loafers and finished preparing for battle.

“Here, the question list.”

I took the question list that Park Chan-ik Team Leader handed me.

There were three questions in total.

None of them were difficult questions.

“Let’s go.”

Park Chan-ik Team Leader took the lead and opened the gate door.

Then, as if they had been waiting, the reporters stood up and started flashing their cameras.

“Look over here!”

“Jae-hee Ssi!”

I should have worn sunglasses.

I smiled appropriately and waved my hand, looking at the center of the mixed zone.

The reporters followed me to the parking lot, and a very short press conference was held in front of the parking lot.

The person who arranged this press conference was President Lee Mu-taek.

“Okay, okay, we’ll only take three questions.”

… Why is the President there?

President Lee Mu-taek, who appeared like the wind and put his hand on my shoulder, demanded that the pre-selected media outlets ask their questions.

They asked the questions that were pre-arranged with us.

‘What made you decide to go to Hollywood?’

‘How did you expect the audition results?’

‘What are your future plans?’

Typical answers came out of my mouth, but these kinds of formulaic answers usually work well.

“Okay! We’ll end it here!”

President Lee Mu-taek announced the end of the interview and quickly patted my shoulder, saying.

“Let’s eat something delicious tonight? What do you want to eat?”

“Doenjang Jjigae with Samgyeopsal. How about Soju?”

“Then instead of pork, let’s go with beef.”

“Cough, yes.”

As soon as I got into the car, I took off my scarf and leaned back in the back seat.

Oh my, I’m completely out of it as soon as I get back to Korea.

“You’re out of it, right?”

Jae-ik Hyung, who was holding the steering wheel, smiled wryly.

“Yes.”

“Sometimes, even though we don’t speak the same language, America is more comfortable.”

That’s true.

But at least in Korea, there are people who are on ‘my side.’

Like this.

*

『Miyamoto Ryo, Likin Bang. Do Jae-hee, who landed in Hollywood after defeating all the Asian stars. What are the chances of success in Hollywood?』

『Do Jae-hee, who succeeded in going to Hollywood, surpassing the concerns of ‘Hollywood failure’ experts. What are the box office prospects for the movie?』

『Do Jae-hee’s audition photos that captivated Director Paul Anthony. Will they be revealed?』

『HighMount Pictures, Korean fans are flooding their inboxes with emails requesting the release of the audition video.』

The entertainment pages of the first quarter, which had no special events, were all dominated by my articles.

Entering Hollywood after defeating stars representing each country.

Overcoming the ‘pessimistic’ views of elite critics, and passing with confidence.

At the same time, L&K started a concentrated attack by releasing photos related to UAA to the media, emphasizing that I am the hottest Korean actor getting attention overseas.

My recognition skyrocketed again, even though there were no clear works released to the public recently.

Of course, these things don’t determine the success of a movie.

But I can’t deny that the existence of ‘my people’ is reassuring.

The closest ‘my people.’

Jae-ik Hyung said.

“I’m going to schedule an official interview soon. We’ll gather all the questions that keep coming in about your Hollywood trip and answer them all at once. When is good for you?”

“I don’t have any personal schedules right now.”

“Okay, then let’s do it quickly before the Lunar New Year. Ah, SBC contacted us about covering your Hollywood trip, what should we do about that?”

Mid-February.

While the movie <7 Years of Memory> is in the final stages of preparation for filming, there has been a series of requests for coverage about my trip to Hollywood.

Non-stop schedules.

In the midst of all this, a very unexpected call arrived.

━ Are you free?

I looked down at my phone and muttered.

“Ah, it seems like I’ll have one personal schedule.”

“When?”

“I don’t know. I’ll have to contact them to find out.”

“Really? Who is it?”

“It’s Seung-hee Hyung.”

The sender was Jo Seung-hee.

Jae-ik Hyung frowned at the name Jo Seung-hee.

“Why? Are you still going to that group?”

“I haven’t been going much.”

After being introduced to the group as a junior that Jo Seung-hee cherishes, we kept in touch and talked about our projects, but we didn’t have any personal meetings.

We only met a few times at public events like movie premieres or award ceremonies.

“Is it because of Hollywood?”

“….”

Failure in Hollywood.

The biggest scar on Jo Seung-hee’s career.

Maybe, that’s it?

*

Jo Seung-hee.

After the failure of , he tried his hand at another movie, but it wasn’t a big hit either.

However, the solid ‘trust’ of fans towards Jo Seung-hee remains unchanged.

No matter what anyone says, he is the most recognized actor in his 30s and is still the top star who receives the highest guarantee.

He is a very reliable ally for me, and also a mountain that I will have to overcome someday.

Such Jo Seung-hee came to my house with his manager.

A quiet officetel on the outskirts of Bangbae-dong.

The only bars nearby are a small skewer restaurant and a beer pub in the apartment complex.

Rather, this quiet place is suitable for a meeting with a top star.

“It’s been a while.”

I greeted Jo Seung-hee, who was wearing a hat pulled down low, as he entered the restaurant.

“Hyungnim.”

It’s the first time since the Daejong Film Awards last year.

He seems to have gained a little weight, as if he had rested well during that time.

“You rascal, keep in touch. Do I have to hear about my junior’s news on the internet?”

“Haha, I’m sorry.”

The purpose of Jo Seung-hee’s visit.

“Wow, this place has good snacks. Should I open a place like this too?”

He’s deliberately talking about snacks and pointless business ideas, but I think I know what he wants to say even if he doesn’t.

Because he intentionally avoids talking about the main topic, ‘Hollywood.’

So I brought it up first.

“You came because of Hollywood, right?”

Then Jo Seung-hee’s eyes shook a little. But that was only for a moment. Soon, he chuckled and put a few ginkgo nuts into his mouth.

“Well, yeah.”

He seemed genuinely worried about me.

“There are many easy paths that pay a lot of money, like China.”

“I knew you would say that. Hehe.”

Jo Seung-hee is a king in China.

A Hallyu star’s dream Hallyu star. His guarantee per episode in a Chinese drama is 800 million to 1 billion won.

Such an unimaginable ‘king’ asked me.

“Are you going to be okay?”

Are you going to be okay?

It’s a question with a very broad and comprehensive meaning.

But I, who fully understood the core of the question, nodded.

“Yes, I’m prepared.”

“It’s not an easy stage. You know? I challenged it too.”

He has already experienced failure once.

It’s a fact that everyone knows.

But he never told me the reason for that failure, and the media didn’t cover it in detail either.

Jo Seung-hee brought up that story.

“Hollywood is a beautiful place, but it’s also the dirtiest place.”