Possessed 10 Million Actors

Katahiro blinked rapidly in response to Jang Sunho's unexpected suggestion.

"If we import from Korea… Are you suggesting we work with a Korean production company?"

"Yes. Even though Toho has a significant influence in the Japanese film industry, they might not have control over Korean production companies."

"That makes sense."

Katahiro nodded thoughtfully as if considering this proposal. However, there was a fundamental obstacle to Jang Sunho's suggested solution.

"But, Team Leader, it's a good idea, but there's a problem."

"Is it about communication?"

"Yes. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I don't speak Korean at all. It might be a bit challenging for me to work with people from Korea."

Katahiro sighed as he expressed his concern. However, Jang Sunho seemed to find the language barrier not as significant. He smiled and responded,

"You can find a Korean production company that speaks Japanese. We can also hire a few interpreters. Considering our ample budget, that should not be a problem."

"Ah…"

"Moreover, if we offer support for accommodation and daily life during the shooting period in Japan, many production companies will be willing to participate. They will likely be of high quality. If needed, we could even rent an entire floor of ‘THE OS HOTEL Tokyo,' where we are currently staying."

Money could indeed solve any problem. With the discovery of a clue to the major obstacle, Katahiro's expression brightened.

However, the joy was short-lived, as there were still issues that needed to be addressed.

"Even if we bring in a production company from Korea, what about the actors? I'm not sure if there are many actors in Korea who can fluently handle Japanese."

"There are more actors in Korea who speak Japanese well than you think. I know some agencies that specialize in such actors."

"Really?"

"Yes. Also, even if they don't speak Japanese fluently, there are many actors who can act in Japanese."

Katahiro seemed to have difficulty grasping Jang Sunho's words, and in response, Jang Sunho subtly smiled.

"Don't worry too much. I have a plan."

“I understand.”

“But more importantly… It hasn’t been long since you came to Japan, and now you have to go back to Korea. What should I say to the actors?”

***

“Hmm…”

Late at night, lying in the hotel room and staring at the ceiling, Kang Jinseok recalled what Jang Sunho said during the dinner gathering.

‘To go back to Korea tomorrow.'

There's a company called ‘Toho,' and that company is interfering with the movie production. And because of that, he has to go back to Korea to prepare for filming.

‘It's a bit disappointing.'

After sighing once again, he closed his eyes tightly. Thinking that it was the last night in Japan, the regret became even greater.

It felt like the feeling of a worker who regrets the passing holiday. You have to sleep for tomorrow, but it feels like you don't want to sleep.

“Well, this won’t do.”

Instead of rolling up the blanket like a gimbap, he suddenly got up.

‘Yeah. Let's not sleep. I can't spend the last night of my first overseas trip like this. Let's make this night memorable.'

He opened his eyes wide. To spend tonight splendidly, he was going to boil the snacks and cup of ramen secretly bought from the convenience store in front of the hotel, hidden under the bed. Tomorrow morning, even if his face is swollen, he might get scolded by Jang Sunho, but it should be fine for once.

But then…

“Sigh…”

As if mocking my thoughts a while ago, sleep suddenly came.

***

‘Where is this…'

When I came to my senses, I opened my eyes in a white space. Although this place should have become familiar by now, it felt strange because it had been a while, and my body felt light and buoyant.

‘Who called me?'

But even when I looked around, I couldn't see the smoke that usually appears when a ghost comes. Usually, it would appear as the ghost appears.

“Hello.”

At that moment, someone greeted me by tapping my shoulder from behind. Since there was no sign of the presence, I was surprised, too.

Like when a bug passes in front of your face.

“Haha, sorry. I didn't mean to startle you.”

The man smiled confidently and extended his hand.

“I'm Tadano Kenjiro.”

“Ah… yes. I'm Kang Jinseok.”

Tadano, the ghost suddenly appeared. His first impression was that of a ‘confident new employee.'

When I first met Kim Faith, It had the enchanted smile that I admired, nor did It radiate the aura of someone who had reached the pinnacle of their field. However, Tadano had his own confidence.

As I slowly nodded in greeting, Tadano continued with a smile, "Originally, I planned to meet you after the audition for this project. However, considering both my schedule and yours, I decided to bring you here hastily."

"Am you in a hurry?"

"It's related to my request. Well… it might be a bit of a long story, shall we sit down and talk?"

Tadano gestured to the side. When I turned my head, a soft sofa was suddenly there, as if it had always been there.

While I was bewildered by the sudden appearance of the sofa, Tadano casually took a seat and motioned for me to do the same.

Seated on the sofa opposite Tadano, he began his story with a playful expression, like a storyteller recounting tales of the past.

"I was born into a wealthy family. Not exactly a chaebol, but well-off enough to live without financial worries for a lifetime. Moreover, I was smart, not as much as you, and my looks were decent, if not as good as yours."

"Haha…"

"So, my life was smooth, and people around me treated me very well. It was as if I were genuinely precious to them."

With a faint smile, Tadano continued, "But everything changed when my parents passed away. I inherited a tremendous fortune at a relatively young age, and the people around me turned into hyenas, trying to fleece me, a clueless youngster, for everything I had."

Whether he had awakened from the splendid glory of the past or not, Tadano continued with a stern face, "Even a lawyer who had known my parents for decades tried to take advantage of me. Fortunately, I was young at the time, but I didn't easily succumb to them. I got rid of everyone who targeted my money and my parents' honor."

"Oh, got rid of them?"

"Yes. Oh, I didn't kill them. It would be more accurate to say I severed ties with them. Haha."

Tadano laughed, clapped his hands, took a breath, and then resumed his story.

"After cleaning up for about 2 or 3 years, there was no one around me. Not a single person."

"…"

"The sense of loss was indescribable. I don't know if I had the misfortune of being surrounded only by such people, but in any case, that was my reality. I lived my life receiving ‘fake love' for a lifetime."

Listening seriously to his story, Tadano smiled as if to assure me. The smile on his face was not the rehearsed one from before; it was a genuine emotion from Tadano.

"Haha… I've made my boring story too long. Anyway, I lived that kind of life. Then, by chance, I met my first love. She was the first person who liked ‘Tadano' instead of my wealth."

"You're talking about the person from the ramen shop."

"Yes, exactly. And my request is related to that ramen shop."

"The ramen shop?"

"Yes."

Tadano, who answered briefly, seemed to be thinking about ‘her,' as his eyes trembled at the corners. After suppressing the trembling of passionate emotions, he spoke with a voice mixed with concern.

"The ramen shop where I met her and grew in love together. It was a place with really good taste. However, the shop may be facing difficulties and might close."

"Ah… I see."

"As you can see, although I'm dead, my love is still in the afterlife. She's not doing well health-wise, currently in the hospital. But when she gets better someday, she will definitely visit that ramen shop. I don't want to show her that the ramen shop has closed."

Tadano, wanting to preserve the space of memories they shared for the one left behind, began to disappear gradually from his tiptoes, perhaps signaling that his time to enter my dream was up.

"So, I ask for your help. Please, somehow, protect that ramen shop. Time is running out, so please do it quickly."

Watching his desperate expression, I asked, "If time is running out, how much time is left?"

"Three days."

"…Three days?"

"Yes. The shop owner was planning to try running the business until the end of this week, and if it doesn't work out, they will try to find another job. Originally, there was a bit more time, but… the situation suddenly changed."

As Tadano spoke, he began to disappear in the dust and mist from his waist down. As the acceleration increased, my heart became more urgent.

"Well, wait a moment. I have something to do tomorrow-"

"I know. You're going back to Korea tomorrow."

"…"

"As I mentioned before, both I and you have urgent matters."

Now disappearing up to around his chest, Tadano smiled and said, "I heard that this person named ‘Kim Faith' did something transaction-like with you, suggesting that if you don't fulfill his request, he won't help you. Because Kim Faith was so desperate, he took advantage of your desperation."

"Yes, that's what happened."

"I have a request as desperate as that friend, but I won't do it like that. Just having such a kind and wonderful person like you portray my life is reward enough for me. Given the circumstances, even if you can't fulfill my request, I will still help you."

"…"

"But I hope you can fulfill my request if possible. I want to see her, who has recovered, eating ramen at that ramen shop."

As Tadano's form finally disappeared, his voice brushed past my ears.

"And if… you're willing to fulfill my request, be sure to try ‘Miso Ramen, Rich Taste.' Ask for all the toppings, and boil the noodles ‘very firm.' It was our favorite ramen. Since you also like garlic, feel free to add garlic after putting all the toppings."

"…"

"The ramen shop's location will become clear once you wake up. I hope you'll be able to fulfill my request."

—

*Ding-dong.*

The hotel room bell rang. With that sound, the door opened, and a familiar voice called out.

"Good morning, actor-nim."

"…"

"It's time to get up. You don't have much time left before heading to the airport."

It was Jang Sunho, ready for the return trip.