Possessed 10 Million Actors

"Why on earth are you so concerned about the content of the work?"

Curious about the synopsis, I was grateful for Jang Sunho's concern.

He worried that the role I was playing might be emotionally burdensome.

Would there be another manager like this one?

"I need to treat the manager well."

Resolving once again, I carefully took the synopsis that Jang Sunho handed over.

"I'll take a look."

"Yes."

I unfolded the synopsis.

Title: "Long Time No See, Andy"

Andy is an infant adopted from Korea to a rural American village.

He endured various abuses from his foster parents since childhood.

In addition to the abuse from his parents, Andy, unable to make real friends due to racial discrimination, found his only companion in the ‘self in the mirror.' Every day, Andy sought comfort from and shared friendship with his reflection in the mirror.

One day, by chance, Andy escapes from his foster parents with the help of a pastor.

Receiving proper love for the first time since birth, Andy finally gains a normal life.

In no time, Andy excels in academics, entering a prestigious university and eventually becoming a young doctor.

One day, in the attic of the church, Andy, who fell asleep, wakes up in shock. Holding a bloodied knife, he finds himself in the pastor's room, and the pastor, covered in blood as if stabbed multiple times, lies beside him.

Unable to recall anything, fearing being falsely accused as a murderer, Andy hides the pastor's body behind the church in a communal cemetery.

After dealing with the pastor's body, Andy goes to the shower room to wipe off the blood covering his body.

It was the moment he absentmindedly looked into the mirror.

Andy encounters the ‘self in the mirror,' sporting a bizarre smile.

——

"Ah."

The reaction that escaped my lips as I read the synopsis.

And along with that reaction, I recalled what Jang Sunho had said earlier.

"So that's why he mentioned it's intense."

I sighed lightly as I covered the synopsis.

"Certainly, this kind of work is a bit… intimidating to act in."

If it were an ordinary performance, it might be different, but my acting involves ‘possession.' It's the expression of living through and embracing the protagonist's life, a form of ‘possession.'

Honestly, I wasn't sure if I could handle the life of Andy, the protagonist of this work.

After covering the synopsis, I sat silently for a while, and Jang Sunho spoke.

"How do you feel? Would it be okay to proceed?"

"Huh? Oh… I think I understand the meaning Manager-nim conveyed. It's not for nothing that it's a James Won director's work."

The work was truly tempting, not just because it was from the renowned director James Won, but simply because of its outstanding artistic merit. So much so that I couldn't easily return the synopsis to Jang Sunho.

"Manager-nim, can I have a bit more time to think?"

"Of course. I'll contact James Won's side again during that time. We might be able to buy some time until the week after next."

"Thank you."

As I nodded slightly in gratitude, Jang Sunho spoke as if he had forgotten something.

"Oh, by the way, how is your English, actor-nim?"

***

On the way back home after finishing dinner with Jinseok.

Jang Sunho couldn't shake off the image of Jinseok reading the synopsis of "Long Time No See, Andy."

"If he's an actor, he'll eventually audition."

If Jinseok decides to audition, Jang Sunho will support him to complete the audition.

However, Jang Sunho hoped that Jinseok wouldn't choose this particular work. It was because of the reason he mentioned to Jinseok earlier.

"Actor Kang has always shown an extraordinary immersion in his performances. If someone like him plays a psychopathic murderer like the protagonist…"

Jang Sunho, like Jinseok, was intrigued by the work itself.

But on a practical level, considering everything, it seemed better not to do this particular work.

"Speaking of which, Jinseok's answer was a bit strange earlier."

When Jang Sunho asked, "Do you speak English well?" Jinseok replied, "I… think so."

It was a somewhat ambiguous answer.

"Maybe he just modestly answered."

Honestly, Jang Sunho hoped that Jinseok couldn't speak English.

Because then, whether he wanted to do the work or not, there would be a practical issue preventing him from doing it.

Lost in various complicated thoughts, Jang Sunho shook his head.

"Let's wait for actor-nim's decision first. Anyway… no matter what you choose, I need to be prepared so that there's no regret."

Jang Sunho changed direction and headed towards the company.

It was late at night, but Jang Sunho still had a lot of work to do.

***

"…Who eats cup ramen to fill their dinner until this hour and is working overtime, and the team leader comes back after eating at a hotel buffet?"

Upon entering the office, Go Seoyeong's nagging reached Jang Sunho.

Ignoring her nagging with one ear, Jang Sunho said.

"I suggested going for a meal together, but Manager Go said you wouldn't come."

"If you said it was a hotel buffet, I would have gone! I thought you were going to a beef soup restaurant near here again!"

"Where were you planning to go and not go with the actor?"

Jang Sunho's comment was casual, but it had a significant impact on Go Seoyeong.

"W-Well, it's not like that."

When Go Seoyeong spoke with a slightly broken voice, Jang Sunho laughed lightly and said,

"Alright. Once things are settled with KL Entertainment, let's go eat together. I went there for the first time today, and it was delicious."

"R-Really?"

"Yes. But Manager Go, please treat me. I heard your salary has increased a lot."

"Even so, it's not even half of the team leader's salary."

She grumbled, but Go Seoyeong's mood seemed to improve as her face relaxed.

Handing a file to Jang Sunho, Go Seoyeong said,

"I wrote down the contents of the conversation with Prosecutor Lee Minyoung earlier. She said they plan to arrest everyone related to President Lee Youngkyung tomorrow morning."

"Faster than expected. Did the warrant already come out?"

Jang Sunho nodded.

"If the warrant is out, I probably don't need to worry more about the KL Entertainment case."

Now, all that remained was the legal battle.

If necessary, he could attend as a witness, but with sufficient evidence and public opinion already turned against KL Entertainment, it didn't seem necessary.

"Manager Go played a significant role."

Jang Sunho glanced at Go Seoyeong. She responded with a somewhat awkward voice.

"W-Why are you suddenly looking at me like that? It makes me uncomfortable."

"Just grateful. Manager Go played a significant role in resolving the trouble caused by KL Entertainment. I wouldn't have been able to handle it smoothly if it weren't for you."

"Don't praise me so awkwardly."

Go Seoyeong avoided Jang Sunho's gaze as if it tickled her.

"Oh, and James Won's manager called earlier. He really won't audition? He even asked if the reason for not auditioning was because of KL Entertainment."

"When did that call come?"

"About 10 minutes ago."

Go Seoyeong pointed to the office phone on Jang Sunho's desk.

"They asked for a prompt response. Director James Won is eagerly waiting."

"Hmm."

Jang Sunho fell into deep thought for a moment.

‘It's still difficult to answer… But I can't keep someone like Director James Won waiting indefinitely either. It's awkward.'

It was gratifying and pleasant that James Won was showing such interest in Jinseok.

Jang Sunho lifted his work phone as if resigned to the situation.

‘But I should at least give a response. I can't make him wait indefinitely.'

Jang Sunho started sending a text message to Kim Hyun.

The content of the message was a request for a response by the end of the day.

***

The next morning, in a standalone house in Hannam-dong, Seoul.

Oh Sungchan, who had spent the night with Lee Youngkyung until dawn, rubbed his neck as if tired.

"Ugh, my stomach…"

Perhaps because they had played intensely after a long time, his back hurt, and his whole body was sore.

Oh Sungchan, drinking cold water in the kitchen, regained his composure.

‘By the way, that Lee Minyoung, how dare she ignore my words?'

Lee Minyoung, who was still arrogantly talking yesterday, seemed to appear before his eyes.

Thinking that he would someday give her a big scolding for daring to defy him, he drank more cold water.

"But why is it so noisy outside again?"

It was always quiet in the house, but today, the noise from some event outside was audible even inside the house.

Oh Sungchan, looking annoyed, glanced out the window.

Outside, a group of reporters had gathered like a swarm of bees.

"What's going on?"

Just as Oh Sungchan was taken aback by the unexpected situation, someone rang the front doorbell.

Feeling a sense of unease, Oh Sungchan checked the intercom.

"Who is it?"

[This is the police. We have a warrant, please open the door.]

At the mention of a ‘warrant,' Oh Sungchan frowned.

But more than the fact that a warrant had been issued, what irritated Oh Sungchan was the attitude of the police.

‘What? ‘Oh Sungchan?' Who the hell is this guy going to…'

He wanted to open the door right away and give him a good slap, but Oh Sungchan held back for now.

With so many reporters outside, he couldn't afford to show such behavior.

‘But a warrant. Who is it from?'

One face came to Oh Sungchan's mind.

‘Could it be Lee Minyoung?'

Besides Lee Minyoung, who has been investigating various irregularities at KL Entertainment recently, there was no one else who would come after him.

‘This bitch was talking nonsense yesterday, and now she's sticking her nose out even further.'

While thinking about this internally, Oh Sungchan felt uneasy.

He knew Lee Minyoung's capabilities better than anyone.

Then, the doorbell rang again.

Ding-dong.

[Senior, it's me, Lee Minyoung. I had to come too because the police can't go alone to arrest you.]

At the same time, a familiar voice flowed through the intercom.

[Please open the door quickly. We have a lot to do today.]