I Will Live As An Actor Chapter 47

I Will Live as an Actor Episode 47

A young man is seen wearing a neat school uniform, like a parish priest wearing a Roman collar (a white collar on a black suit) for mass. I open the Bible in the car heading to the filming location. It is not for studying the Psalms.

As I cool down from reading the Bible verses, I open the script for the drama ‘Youth’ again. I’ve already read the script to the point where it’s worn out, but is today’s filming important?

“England, this.”

Manager Lee Bong-chun, who was behind the wheel, handed me a thermos. When you open the lid, the spicy ginger scent spreads gently. He glances at the rear-view mirror and elaborates.

“What can I do for you? You seem to be having a hard time with your schedule these days, and there’s nothing I can do to help you. I heard that ginger tea is good for colds and bronchial tubes. When my salary goes up, I’ll switch to ginseng tea someday.”

This is a tea that I drank a lot in my past life. Especially in the winter, I often used it to warm my frozen hands and soothe my throat. On days when my head was locked, not only minor roles, but also roles that were outside of the FD’s (assistant director’s) eyes would disappear.

‘It was like that back then.’

The subtle and soft scent stimulates memories.

“No, my brother is of great help to me. I am always grateful.”

“Thank you for saying that. You should at least drive well so that our country can be comfortable. Still, I have experience driving a truck full of eels, so I am confident in driving. How can you feel this smooth cornering?”

“See you in front of me!”

Just then, a crazy car overtakes them by just a piece of paper. Seeing this, manager Lee Bong-chun rolls down the window and shouts.

“Don’t you know how to turn on the blinker? If you and we are all done, it’s all on me!”

Finally, manager Lee Bong-chun glances at the rear-view mirror, and a look of embarrassment is evident on his face. Although he sometimes makes mistakes in the process of trying to do well, he is definitely a good person.

“Are you ready for the main character?”

As soon as we arrived at the filming site, director Jin Kim approached us. His playful face is completely different from when he started filming. After all, since he is a man with such solid public and private interests, he must have risen to the position of director of the cable company in the future.

“Should we be a little nervous in the future with our people’s first love?”

“Why are you scaring me like that? Is it possible that the script has already been released?”

It’s a word that would make any actor in a scripted drama freak out. There is no other reason why filming a drama is called hard work for broadcasting. The filming time, including all-night sessions, especially the intensity of filming the side script, is beyond imagination.

In some cases, the writer writes the script in separate sheets and sends it by fax, and in this case, there is no time to rehearse. In extreme cases, filming was conducted at the level of a live broadcast. All of this is scarier because it is not an exaggeration.

“What are you talking about? Don’t you know that writer Hwang is famous for not having a script? He tends to take a long time to select the main character, but the deadline is like a knife. If it weren’t for writer Hwang, I wouldn’t have even thought about my next work. “They are telling the actors and the filming team how to film while receiving a script.”

“Then what is it?”

“Episode 8’s viewer rating that aired yesterday exceeded 30%. If things continue like this, 40% is already planned. But MBS is trying to put a cowardly brake on it. They’re going to push forward the programming of dramas in the same time slot or something. Today, the director directly contacted the president. He said he got a call from MBS and told him to work harder and say that if he completely crushes those bastards, he will send them on a reward vacation overseas!”

“A reward vacation? What else can I say?”

“What do you think? Why is the response so lukewarm? England, have you been to Phuket?”

I guess I haven’t been there yet. Even after all this time, he was considered one of the best licorice (supporting actors) in Korea. In the past, overseas locations and overseas awards were rare, but in the future, Korean dramas will dominate the entire Asian region.

That’s because, under the influence of the Korean Wave, there were often cases where the break-even point was exceeded with just the sale of copyrights. Thanks to that, I got sick of going to Phuket, Bali, and Hawaii.

“Man, I’ve never been to Phuket! That’s why I have to go. I think if today’s scene is aired, both MBS and KBC will raise their flag.”

Director Kim Jin is already chatting non-stop about his vacation. It is rare for a director to be this friendly to an actor. Don’t you sometimes get nervous on set? However, PD Kim Jin has no such tendency at all. Rather, he feels like a friendly neighborhood older brother.

Okay, stop hanging on. I will definitely send you to Phuket.

* * *

“Scene No. 37 Emotions sprouting on the basketball court—!”

This is the highlight scene of the drama ‘Youth’. A tall young man is playing basketball alone in a quiet basketball court under a streetlight that shines alone like the lonely light of a lighthouse illuminating the coast. The basketball swings the net in a graceful parabola following the curve of the long arm.

“Hey Do-jin! What time is it and are you still playing basketball? Even now, you’re the only one on the basketball court.”

You can tell who it is just by hearing their voice. He was a childhood friend who had been with Dojin (England) since he was young, and he was also the person who shook Dojin’s (England) heart. Like the cold that comes during the change of seasons, fever blooms in the basketball court.

“I heard you got first place in this midterm exam. You selfish bastard. It’s hard for other kids to get first place even though they are trying their best, so you act like you’re eating losing. Lucky Bamtaeng. I heard you got confessed to today too? You’re as pretty as Yoon Hee-soo. You have a good personality. The kids say they like you. “Seeing as there are so many people and you’re not dating anyone, do you really have that kind of taste?”

At that moment, Dojin (England) raises his head and looks at the girl sitting on the bench. It’s been like that for some time. The image of a girl that I had never seen before continued to catch my eye, and before I knew it, it had settled in a corner of my mind. Perhaps it was from the valley that this feeling became clear.

Like a crayfish hiding between rocks, Do-jin (United Kingdom) also throws a basketball vigorously to hide his emotions. However, as if aware of these complicated feelings, the basketball bounces off the backboard and rolls around.

“Does it matter?”

Just like a drop of water falling on a calm lake, a single word causes a stir. Unlike the usual young man, his voice was cold and dry. The girl’s pupils also appear confused as they react to the voice.

“No or no. Why are you talking so scary? You can’t even joke like this between friends!”

Each and every line spoken in panic is filled with emotion. There is a strange, unknown tension in the basketball court.

“friend?”

Hwayangyeonhwa (花樣年華) Some people say that school years are the most beautiful time in life. But not for the young man. It is an extremely painful and cold season. Just as I hoped that even if others did not know about the fever called love, only you would know. At the fast-paced filming site, everyone pays attention to the two people.

“That’s funny.”

The corners of his mouth are smiling, but his eyes are cold. It is distant and cold, as if looking into a dark alley. At that moment, the young man takes long strides and approaches the girl.

“Do you still feel like I’m just a friend?”

It is filmed using Inside Walk (IW) to highlight the subject’s emotions and create viewer immersion.

‘Should I grab the editing point here and go?’

PD Kim Jin continues to worry. That’s because, in the original script, the ending ends with the complex and subtle perspectives of two people. But I couldn’t shout ‘cut’. Because the smoke was still going on. It was then.

“receive.”

Dojin (Great Britain) throws the basketball to the girl. The basketball ball flew slowly in a low parabola and landed in the girl’s arms. The girl (Seo Min-hye) is taken aback by the sudden ad-lib, but does not show it. Because I didn’t want to lose to him in acting at this moment.

My heart is pounding.

Two people stand facing each other with a basketball in between them. The girl (Seo Min-hye) felt her heart beating violently as the distance became as close as the palm of her hand. Anyway, if you lie down like this, wouldn’t your nose be touching? Producer Jin Kim witnesses the filming scene with his posture forward. Cut!

The moment he was about to shout, his broad shoulders seemed to collapse and turn towards the girl.

“You don’t know anything.”

Dojin’s (UK) sweat-soaked hair falls on the shoulder of a girl who is shorter than her. It is an act that was not originally planned. But it feels natural, like a predicted action. The girl (Seo Min-hye) felt like her breathing had stopped at the words that followed.

“I wish time would stop like this.”

* * *

Kim Jin’s face is excited as he checks the footage. That’s because it’s worthy of being called a famous scene. Even sudden ad-libs make the picture more perfect. At that moment, an unfamiliar hand touches Kim Jin’s shoulder.

“Producer Kim, why are you laughing so hard?”

“Surprise, Author Hwang. When did you come?”

PD Kim Jin’s eyes widen at the appearance of writer Hwang Soo-kyung. Isn’t it natural? Drama writers usually don’t even step out of the house when writing.

“I guess. I have to be able to sit still because I’m curious about how today’s scene will be produced. I’m just a viewer in front of the TV. By the way, was that an ad-lib at the end? Producer Kim ordered it?”

“Was it bad?”

“Is that possible? I was watching it from a corner of the filming set, and when I saw that ad-lib, I almost screamed without realizing it. How could he act so well and even say the lines? Tell me, did Producer Kim tell you to do it? Or did Actor Jang do it himself?”

“How could I go against Writer Hwang’s script? Of course it was Actor Jang who did it.”

“also!”

“What is that reaction?”

Writer Hwang Soo-kyung just witnessed Jang Young-guk’s acting skills firsthand. To put it bluntly, it was a scene that ate up the other person’s acting. However, the other person’s embarrassment at the sudden situation actually suited the situation exquisitely. Of course, it may have been a natural reaction due to ad lib, but it felt like England was acting to fit the gap of awkwardness.

‘It’s like a ghost crying.’

Although he was the main character of his own choosing, the more I look at him, the more fascinating he is, an actor named Jang Young-guk. It was then. just as expected. Producer Kim Jin speaks softly as if he were a messenger.

“Wouldn’t it be a shame if Writer Hwang just left? If today’s minutes are over, why don’t we give him a treat?”

“Isn’t the deadline finished today?”

“Why are you like this? Do you think I don’t know that if you don’t finish the deadline, you’ll never come out? Don’t be like that and just take a hit. Writer Hwang’s salary is also high. We salaried workers are so busy with filming that we can’t even have company dinners. Coincidentally, we have a morning shoot tomorrow. “No way. Isn’t this a perfect justification?”

“then.”

Could a drama director be this cruel to a writer? If it weren’t for PD Kim Jin, who has a sly personality, it might have been a bit obnoxious. Her per-episode fee is the highest among the three broadcasting companies. Kim Jin was able to say that because he knew that. Soon, Hwang Soo-kyung looks at the filming site and shouts.

“Okay, Hwang Lovel says, I’m going to host today’s dinner party!”

The filming team, which was withdrawing its filming equipment under the light of the street lamps, cheers. However, there are some who do not. This is Seo Min-hye with a complex expression. I was confident that I had been learning acting for a long time, but I was overwhelmed by the other person in just one moment. However, it is not visible whether the person involved is aware of the fact or not.

“Where is assistant director England?”

“You went in first because you had a meeting tomorrow morning. You said you found out when you greeted the part directors and the PD earlier.”

“Oh, that’s right. Our male and female protagonists should get together in one place!”

“Is it just today? It’s a pity that Mr. Young-kuk isn’t there, but there will be another chance next time.”

“Then you’ll know that Writer Hwang will shoot next time.”

“Anyway. Why are you talking like that again?”

Seo Min-hye becomes bitter in the noisy atmosphere of the scene. But he doesn’t show it at all. Because she’s a pro.

* * *

War clouds hang over the representative office from early morning. Director Shin Seong-hyeon, with a cold expression, repeatedly lifts and puts down the teacup. A mixture of cynical emotions flows through the eyes behind the rimless glasses. Finally, as if he had made up his mind, he put down the teacup.

“CEO, I know that I am not a competent enough director to be able to choose an actor. But isn’t this the case? I definitely sent the script to Songwon Entertainment with actor Min Jeong-woo in mind….”

“Director Shin, how many times haven’t I told you this? Actor Min’s schedule for this year is already full. There are two of them that have been cranked out in just the past few months. Still, the actor’s opinion is the most important, so I delivered the script for now, but there is a physical issue. “They say it’s very difficult. No matter how much I am the CEO, I can’t force actors to play roles.”

Min Jeong-woo is an actor in his mid-40s under Songwon Entertainment. He is one of the characters who receives quite precious treatment in Songwon because of his outstanding acting as well as the skills he honed in theater. Of course, there is no face-to-face contact with me. It was the same in my last life. Because he became tired of acting and suddenly announced his retirement.

This is why Shin Seong-hyeon, the screenwriter and director of ‘Confessions of a Priest’, was so eager to cast Min Jeong-woo.

“As you can see from reading the script, the age range of the character in the play is unpredictable. I think Min is the only actor of that age who can play this role. I don’t want to cast another actor, even if it distorts the script.”

It may not be because of his pride, but he is stubborn. I understand. Film directors are usually stubborn. Isn’t it obvious? Most of them started out doing chores in the movie industry and worked their way up to directing. That’s how much pride I have in my job.

‘But in the end it caught up with me.’

Last Life’s ‘Confessions of a Priest’ was a crushing failure at the box office. The main problem was recruiting actors. The reason is that although the age matched the script, the acting skills did not. Sometimes, the ages of the script and the actors are different.

For example, in the work ‘Ajae’, which later caused an uproar in Korea, it is said that the main character was originally in his fifties, just like the title suggests. When the director did not break his stubbornness, a character named *Bean appeared and captured his heart. But I am not *bean.

“Coach, is it just because of your age?”

“I have no intention of disparaging actor Jang. He is already famous for his 10 million cameos in Chungmuro, so I searched his entire filmography. I know that his acting skills are great enough for Mr. Baek Jang-hoon to recognize him. However, he does not have the experience that comes with age, does he? The main character in the script is a middle-aged man who has gone through life’s hardships. He stands on the border between death and life and recites the Imjong-gyeong and seems to have mastered everything, but Actor Jang is too young to express that.”

It’s not like I can show my true feelings. If you include the age range of your past life, you will find yourself in your heart as an old man who is already well past middle age. But Director Shin Seong-hyeon’s story does not end there.

“Isn’t Actor Jang’s current image as the nation’s first love? To be honest, he is an actor who is too good for me. But isn’t there such a thing as the right time? When I received a call from the CEO last night, I honestly didn’t understand. The teen who is currently gaining popularity as the nation’s first love. “Why are you trying to change my image by playing the role of a murderer?”

“An actor is not a product, but a person who acts. This is what the CEO told me. Of course, I agree with this, Director Shin Seong-hyeon. I read the script and read the Bible and Psalms.”

“Are you religious?”

“That’s not true, I read it to understand the work. In order to understand the main character’s emotions, you must first look at the background. But there was a psalm that euphemistically helped me understand the emotions I felt about the script. Could you please listen to it? The main character. Thinking of myself as a person.”

“…….”

Director Shin Seong-hyeon, who was silent for a moment, quietly nods his head. CEO Kim Seong-hwan also pays attention with his posture forward, as if he is watching for fun.

In my past life, when I was in college, ‘Confessions of a Priest’ not only served as a teaching aid, but was also a metaphor that created a turning point in my life. Because it reminded me that I, who had no interest in acting, had the talent of a little firefly.

Priest’s confession.

A college student who was obsessed with scripts spent every day looking for interviews with director Shin Seong-hyun. This may be because I wanted to know what he thought of the world in the script. Thanks to this, I got to know better than anyone else the world that director Shin Seong-hyun envisions, which does not appear in the script. Moreover, what inspired him to write ‘Confessions of a Priest’?

“Do not drag me away with wicked people and workers of iniquity.”

Director Shin Seong-hyun, who had been putting his mouth to his teacup at the first sentence, suddenly looks up.

“They speak peace to their neighbors, but bitterness is in their hearts.”

The teacup he was holding began to shake violently at the sound of his reverential voice.

“Reward them according to the evil of their works and deeds; repay to them according to the work of their hands.”

His pupils are shaking violently, as if there was an earthquake. This is because it was a psalm that provided great inspiration when writing A Priest’s Confession. I haven’t told anyone about it yet, I just kept it in my heart, but I know it exactly as if it had been transferred to my heart.

“Repay them what they deserve.

(Psalm 28:3-4)”

It seems as if a shiver runs through his whole body. He finally utters one word.

“Oh Lord.”