I Will Live As An Actor

Chapter 91

Yeonsan-gun (King Yeonsan).

The most tyrannical and wicked king in the 500-year history of the Joseon dynasty. 

His evil deeds are countless, starting from the Gapsa Incident, where he brutally killed the factions that slandered his birth mother, the deposed Queen Yun. 

His stories of lust and debauchery are already well-known.

Not to mention, the anecdote of how he couldn’t escape from the skirt of Jang Nok-su, the greatest courtesan of the era, is still on people’s lips.

“Tricky.”

That’s how Young-uk simply defined it. It was a role that was hard to accept or reject. The original , ‘Yeonsan, the King’s Secret’, had a strange charm that captivated him as he read it.

Despite the childish pen name of the author, the content was not only attractive, but also addictive, like being stuck in a swamp. He finished reading it without noticing the time. He still couldn’t get rid of the sentences in his head.

-Was Yeonsan, the 10th king of Joseon, really a tyrant? The records and the reality are different, history is fabricated and recorded by the winners, and it is hidden behind the fog like something beyond. The high-ranking officials who deposed Queen Yun were afraid. When Queen Yun was ousted, they tried to make Lee Yeok (Prince Jinseong, later King Jungjong), the son of Queen Jeonghyeon, who was appointed as the next queen, the crown prince, but it was thwarted by King Seongjong. That’s how much Yeonsan, who later became Yeonsan-gun, was brilliant from a young age. The records say he was ordinary, but who knows the truth… (omitted)… Even if he becomes a virtuous king and makes the country peaceful, would the officials who ousted Queen Yun be able to save their lives? The young thorn in his gentle smile made them fear not only their stomachs, but also their chins. Eventually, they came up with a gamble.

That’s how shocking the content was.

‘History belongs to the winners.’

It reconstructs the truth hidden behind the history recorded by the winners. 

Strictly speaking, it’s fiction, but it somehow makes sense. 

That’s because the opinions of historians on Yeonsan-gun are still divided.

‘Maybe I should call him PD Yu.’

This is the era of traditional historical dramas. 

In the future, fusion historical dramas based on fictional history will be produced in droves, but not yet. 

Nowadays, not only the viewers, but also the broadcasters think that historical dramas should be produced strictly following the verification of history. 

In a way, the choice of the famous PD was bold.

‘Is it a poisoned chalice, or will it be a hit?’

He hasn’t decided to appear yet. 

Appearing in a drama is now like a business. 

He had to decide on many things, from the appearance fee to the overseas copyright guarantee, before making a unilateral decision. 

Just then, Kim Seong-hwan, the CEO, entered the office.

“Young-uk, have you been waiting long?”

Kim Seong-hwan, the CEO, is a busy man these days. He’s not satisfied with the feat of breaking 5 million with the movie ‘The Priest’s Confession’, and the actors of Songwon Entertainment are all acting like fish in water on the screen and the brown tube.

One of them is actress Park Soo-young. 

She also nagged Young-uk, and after finishing the movie shooting, she immediately entered the weekend drama shooting, and it was a hit. 

She played a clumsy character, different from her usual cold image, and it worked out well.

“No, sir. But why did you suddenly ask me to see you?”

The talk about the advertisement and the next work was already postponed to after the college entrance exam in November. 

So Young-uk was studying hard these days, except for occasional interviews.

“Well, there’s something I want to offer you, Young-uk. Have you ever heard of Star Docu?”

Star Docu.

Of course, he knew it. 

Even though Young-uk was not interested in entertainment programs, he had heard of it at least once. 

It was a documentary that reflected the public’s demand to know the private lives of top stars.

It was so popular that it was originally produced as a pilot for the holidays, but it achieved the feat of being regularly scheduled on the weekend golden time. 

Even now, its popularity is increasing day by day, and it’s a program that every rookie dreams of.

***

As the producer of KBS’s entertainment program Star Documentary, Jeong Seon-ah could not contain her excitement. 

She was in charge of a popular show, but she had a secret that she could not tell anyone. 

She had a crush on Jang Young-guk, an actor who was out of her reach, even though she saw many stars up close in her job.

“People have to live hard. I can’t believe this day has finally come.”

She had been a die-hard fan of Young-guk since his debut drama Youth. 

She had seen his plays and even his Priest Confession three times. 

She had tried hard to cast him for her show.

The program was about the private lives of top stars, so

‘Doesn’t Star Documentary feature Jang Young-guk?’

She had received many inquiries from the viewers, but the biggest reason was her own fan heart. 

She would have been over the moon if it was Ji-sung.

“Producer Jeong, let’s go together.”

“Of course. I’ve been looking forward to this day. And I can’t wait if you go alone. I’ll be worried.”

“Ha, you usually send me alone. You sent me alone when I filmed the national soccer player Kim Hyung-gyu last time. You said it was hard to run around the stadium. Do you know how much I suffered then? I still have a lump in my calf and it hurts when I walk.”

“That was different. Stop nagging and tell me how I look today.”

“You look like you’re going to an award ceremony. Why don’t you wear a white tee and jeans as usual? Why a blouse? And what’s with the skirt? If you want to match, match your shoes too. Wear heels or flats, not sneakers.”

“That’s because I got up early and rushed out, without thinking as usual. Is it too weird?”

“It’s better this way, the filming location is a school today. The kids these days eat well and are so energetic. If you wear shoes, you won’t be able to keep up, let alone sprain your ankle.”

The filming site was a school, as the VJ said. Young-guk’s school, Sehwa High School, made her nostalgic for her school days. 

From the dusty playground where the boys ran around, to the girls who chatted in groups. 

And among them was Young-guk.

‘He’s doing well at school, isn’t he?’

It was common for those who had been acting since childhood to have poor relationships with their classmates.

It was understandable, since they couldn’t spend their school days properly due to their busy schedules, and they didn’t see their peers as anything but children after experiencing social life.

Moreover, Young-guk was a youth star who belonged to the top tier. 

She thought he would be awkward with his friends, but he was playing soccer with them like a normal high school student.

The ball caught by Young-guk’s toe flew like an arrow and shook the net. Then Young-guk picked up the ball and left the stunned goalkeeper behind, shouting at the other team.

“Hey, Class 8, we won the bet, so go to the snack bar and buy us some drinks.”

“Young-guk, you’re doing well in the movie, aren’t you? You’re eating too much. Where do you win every time? That kid looks like a soccer player, not an actor.”

“Hey, don’t you know what they say, a man of many talents? And do you think money grows on trees? We’re thirsty, so hurry up and buy us some.”

Watching him drink with his friends, Producer Jeong felt that Young-guk was nothing but a high school student. He had a thousand faces on the screen and the screen, but somehow this one was also charming.

“He’s also very good at studying, right?”

After lunchtime, the VJ who was filming Young-guk’s school life opened his eyes wide. 

As he said, Young-guk was a top student in his class. 

When a difficult problem came up, some students would ask him. It looked so natural that it didn’t seem like a one-time thing. 

Moreover.

“Is Jang Young-guk a good student?”

“Young-guk? He’s more than good. His mock test scores are excellent nationwide, and he’s been the first in his grade since his freshman year. He’s a monster, a monster. He never loses his first place, even though he misses school days because of his acting. His homeroom teacher is having a headache now.”

“Why?”

“Isn’t that obvious? With that kind of grades, he should go to Korea University Law School or Business School. But he’s already successful as an actor, so what can he do? He makes me wonder if this is the time to use the word ‘all-rounder’. By the way, does my face look good on that camera? I heard they were filming at the station today, so I tried to care a little.”

The teachers in the staff room also praised him in the interview. 

She knew he was good at studying, but she didn’t know he was this good.

‘What the hell.’

There is a saying that some people are like onions. 

In Young-guk’s case, he was an onion in a good way. 

The more you peeled off his layers, the more amazing things you would discover. 

The VJ’s hand camera captured Young-guk’s image as he sat in the classroom and studied.

‘Is he even human?’

****

“To Young-guk’s 7 million viewers!”

A small party was held at grandfather’s mansion. 

A few days ago, the movie ‘The Priest’s Confession’ had achieved the feat of attracting 7 million viewers nationwide. 

Of course, there were not many attendees. Grandfather and uncle, and Kim Hyung-seop, the senior actor who had filmed ‘The Priest’s Confession’ with him. 

The celebration party with the movie crew was scheduled separately, so today they wanted to enjoy the happiness with them.

“As someone who has seen Young-guk since he was a snot-nosed kid, let me tell you, he was a real gem even back then.”

“Uncle, technically speaking, he wasn’t a snot-nosed kid. He was fourteen when you met him.”

“Hey, if uncle says so, then it is so, you brat. You talk too much. But I’ll let it slide because you’re pretty. Ooh, this lucky guy, I knew someday you would make it big. 7 million people in Korea, for a domestic movie, no less. And a rated-R movie at that. Hehehe.”

Uncle looked very happy. Grandfather and Kim senior were the same. 

They settled on the spacious floor and drank under the moonlight. 

Of course, I had to substitute with soda because I was still a minor.

How much time had passed? 

They were already tipsy, having emptied several bottles of soju.

“Young-guk, come here. Let me hug the 7 million actor. I want to get some of your luck.”

“Ew, gross. Uncle, and please shave. You look like you just came down from the mountains.”

“Hyung-seop, did you see that? This kid is taller than me now and he talks back to me. Right, Hyung-seop?”

“An Hyung, don’t be like that and listen to Young-guk. You haven’t cranked in yet and you’re growing a beard like that. I’m surprised every time I see you, hyung. You look like my future self. Ugh, you should get married soon. I’m scared I’ll end up like you if I don’t.”

“This kid. You think I didn’t get married because I couldn’t? There’s a match for every shoe, they say, but my match hasn’t shown up yet.”

“Jung-hyun, you’re turning 60 the day after tomorrow, and if your match hasn’t shown up yet, maybe you missed it in this life?”

“No, hyung, don’t say that.”

They all burst into laughter. And the VJ was filming this whole scene. 

The reason I decided to appear on the star documentary was nothing special. 

First of all, it was a documentary format, so unlike regular variety shows, I could be free and show myself as I am. And as the PD Jung-seon-ah asked me before.

-Young-guk, why did you decide to appear on the star documentary?

-Of course.

It was because of the fans. 

The media was showing my face every day because of ‘The Priest’s Confession’, but it was hard to see me on the TV screen. 

The fan club even contacted the agency. 

They asked if I wasn’t getting any offers from the broadcasting stations. 

That was proof that there were many people waiting for me.

-For the fans.

***

Syndrome.

The movie ‘The Priest’s Confession’ recorded an unbelievable number of 7 million viewers nationwide in just over a month of its release. 

It was expected since it surpassed 5 million viewers in 19 days of its opening, but the movie industry and the broadcasting world were in an uproar. 

After all, it was the first domestic movie to break through 7 million viewers.

“This kind of social phenomenon is called a syndrome. Who would have thought that South Korea, which was called a barren land for the movie industry, would have a phenomenon of 7 million viewers. And that’s despite being rated-R, not suitable for young audiences. What do you think, Director Choi?”

The Priest’s Confession was also a hot topic on the live talk show that dealt with current affairs and social issues. 

Famous domestic movie directors, national actors, and renowned critics gathered and talked.

“There is a saying in Chungmuro. If you’re going to make a rated-R movie, go all the way to adult material. There is a saying that the indicator of the reservation rate comes from the wallets of adults, but ironically, rated-R movies don’t get much response. It’s not a Hollywood movie, and if you make a rated-R movie in South Korea, you’ll end up with a flop.”

Most people think of them as adult movies. That’s why most of them try to find editing points in Chungmuro and compromise for a 15+ rating."

“So you mean the movies that were originally made as rated-R movies are also cut down to pass the 15+ rating review?”

“That’s right. In vulgar terms, it’s called scissoring. They have to do that to break even. The distributors also schedule the rated-R movies for early morning or late night. They think they won’t get their money’s worth if they assign them to prime time. In that sense, The Priest’s Confession is causing a huge paradigm shift not only in the Korean film industry but also in Chungmuro.”

Paradigm shift.

“It means the freedom of creation has expanded. As the host just said, who would have expected that a rated-R movie would break the record of 7 million viewers for the first time in Korea. Chungmuro is already eager to cast an actor named Jang Young-guk. The broadcasting industry is the same. How do you see Jang Young-guk, a rookie actor in the same position as you, Mr. Ahn Jung-hyun?”

Ahn Jung-hyun is wearing a suit that can’t be found in Director Baek Jang-hoon’s mansion. His expression is so stern. He shows his dignity as a national actor. In fact, he is famous for not showing his face on general broadcasting programs except for movies or dramas.

He was going to refuse the talk show offer at first, but he changed his mind when he heard that Young-guk was involved. 

Ahn Jung-hyun fixes his clothes and makes a serious expression as he answers the question.

“When I hear the three letters of Jang Young-guk’s name, I think of four years ago. He was a kid who showed off his short height, buzz cut, and sunburnt skin in a waist dance. I can’t forget him because he made a noisy appearance on a bongo (porter) at the Busan International Film Festival. He was such a cute guy, but he swept the theater festival after becoming the nation’s first love, and now he has conquered the movies. He has so many nicknames that he is called by all kinds of adjectives. I’m afraid he might take my title away.”

The PD in the corner of the studio opens his eyes wide. 

There is a guideline for the Q&A session even if it is a talk show. But the words that came out of Ahn Jung-hyun’s mouth were far beyond the guideline. 

At that moment, the host cuts him off as if he read the PD’s mind.

“Mr. Ahn, what do you think about the fact that The Priest’s Confession, starring Jang Young-guk, has surpassed 7 million viewers nationwide?”

“What can I say, I’m dying of stomachache. I heard the break-even point was about a million, but how many times is it now, how many times.”

“Excuse me?”

“I mean, I’m going to get a gift from my Jang actor, no, Young-guk when I meet him. You may not know this, but I’ve been taking care of Young-guk without him knowing. He doesn’t even know that I’ve been secretly helping him since he was a snotty kid, and he scolds me every time I see him. But he’s very nice and polite to the adults. I would have marked him as my daughter’s potential husband if I had one… That’s a pity. Oh, by the way, let’s cut the snotty part.”

Ahn Jung-hyun raises his hand and makes a scissors gesture. 

The PD covers his face with his hand. 

The writers are the same. 

Aren’t they speechless? Where is the editing in the live talk show?

At that moment.

At Director Baek Jang-hoon’s mansion, Star Docu PD Jung Seon-ah and VJ are watching the live talk show together. 

They can’t close their mouths. It was a clear broadcast accident. Young-guk covers his face with his long finger.

“Jung-hyun, that guy is still not sober.”

At that moment, Director Baek Jang-hoon, who was watching TV, bursts into a chuckle. 

He had a drink with him last night, so his nose is still strawberry-like. 

Ahn Jung-hyun on the screen also has a faint pink hue on his nose, probably because of the makeup. But the talk show ends warmly.

-I would be lying if I said I didn’t covet the title of the first 10 million actor as a Korean actor. But I think The Priest’s Confession deserves that honor. It was one of the best movies I’ve ever seen in the theater. So. Please help our Young-guk become a 10 million actor! There’s not much left! Go go go! Jang Young-guk fighting!