I Will Live As An Actor - Chapter 23
I Will Live as an Actor Episode 23
“Are you a public relations ambassador for Yeongdo-gu?”
Yeongdo (影島) A city filled with sadness and joy. There was once even a saying that it was a city that never sleeps. This does not mean a spectacular night view like Las Vegas. This is a term given to the constant cries and wails of refugees looking for their families. The excruciating fatigue that was as winding as the winding mountain road.
In my past life, it was a place I just hated. Just as I hated the fishy smell of fish, which was comparable to poverty, I hated the sea breeze and the strong accent of sailors. My hometown, where I ran away to Seoul and never visited until my mother became sick. Now it welcomes me there. Like a family that has been together for a long time.
-Why do you hate it?
“No, because it was so unexpected.”
-What’s unexpected? The people of Yeongdo can clearly see how much England likes you just by going near the southern port. They said the district office has already sent an official letter to the school, so don’t worry and go. I really wanted to send a road manager, but I didn’t know the schedule would be scheduled so quickly.
“It’s okay. I’m not a child and I can’t even go to the district office.”
-Someone would think I was a 60-year-old man!
CEO Kim Seong-hwan is now comfortable speaking. Even though it was beyond the receiver, his kind smile was clearly visible.
– By the way, when you arrive at the district office today, people you like will be there. Look forward!
After finishing my conversation, the phone hung up. For some reason, it seemed like CEO Seonghwan Kim was making a mischievous expression. At that moment, my eyes met my mother, who was rushing to work at Namhang Market. My mother seems to be curious about the contents of the phone call that came early in the morning.
“Oh, the CEO said that I was selected as a public relations ambassador for Yeongdo-gu.”
“What? Jeungmal!”
A blush appeared on my mother’s face. It wasn’t like this when I showed them my report card showing that I ranked third in the entire school, but I felt strangely bitter. When he won an award at the end-of-year awards ceremony in his last life, did he make this same facial expression as he looked at me across the TV? It was then.
“What about England? What are you doing when you don’t come out?”
It was Aunt Yang. Not only were we residents of the same neighborhood, but we also ran a fish stall together, so I often went to work at Namhang Market with my mother. It was still the same now. After hearing the story from her mother, Mrs. Yang’s eyes suddenly grew to the size of a flower lantern. Soon, an angry voice, as if someone had boiled a train, rang out.
“What?! England is becoming a public relations ambassador for Yeongdo!”
Ah, I can already imagine the rumors swirling around Namhang Market.
* * *
“British student!”
When we arrived at the district office, a civil servant came running out in socks. I guess he didn’t expect me to arrive this early. It’s like an old habit that has been solidified since our past lives. Regardless of whether it was a filming location or a broadcasting station, it was completely natural for me to arrive earlier than the appointed time. It’s like a rule created by the passion of Jang Young-guk, a young man who wanted to be noticed by broadcasting station officials during his minor role. Maybe this is what made actor Jang Young-guk in his last life.
“As soon as I got to work, I heard that a British student had arrived. There are still two hours left until the appointment time.”
“I just wanted to take a look at the district office, so I came quickly. You don’t have to worry too much.”
“Wow, he’s really as mature as I heard. To be honest, I’m a big fan of Men of August. You don’t know how much I liked the young Kim Ha-jin, a British student. So, I’m just saying. Can I ask for your autograph and a photo after the appointment ceremony?”
“What’s the problem? Anyway, there’s still time left until the appointment, so I’ll do it now. By the way, who was appointed as the public relations ambassador for Yeongdo-gu with me today?”
“British student? Didn’t you know? I definitely relayed the details to the agency.”
The CEO didn’t say anything? So what you said at the end of the phone call was related to this? It was then. I turned my head when I heard the sound of high heels clicking, and even though the scorching heat was gradually fading away, a woman wearing sunglasses appeared. Anyone can see that I’m an ‘actress’ and it seems like I’m advertising.
“It’s been a while, kid.”
Soon, Park Soo-young put his sunglasses up on his head and pretended to know. I never would have guessed that she was one of the people selected for the appointment as a public relations ambassador. At that time, Park Soo-young spoke low enough that only the two of us could hear.
“I mean, I normally don’t do it unless I’m a public relations ambassador at the metropolitan level, but the CEO asked me so much that I accepted. They push people to resolve all the grievances they have accumulated between mother and son. Today, I opened my eyes quickly and other than this, I didn’t have a schedule. “No, that’s why I left early. I didn’t come early because I was worried that you, little one, would come early. Don’t get me wrong, what kind of person are you that can’t sleep in the morning?”
Even I was surprised. I couldn’t have imagined that Park Soo-young would come down to Yeongdo in person to receive a letter of appointment as a public relations ambassador. Considering her usually prickly temperament, it wasn’t strange for her to pick it up on her behalf. At that moment, another Inyoung was seen running behind Park Soo-young.
“Oppa! How are you?”
Ah, I felt like I knew who it was just by hearing their voice.
“Soft water?”
Yeonsu was running wearing a one-piece dress. Yeonsu’s mother was with her in the back. My mother smiled kindly and waved at me. So what about all these members?
“Have you been appointed as a public relations ambassador too?”
Yeonsu nodded with big eyes. The civil servant who was leading the way seemed very embarrassed when all the public relations ambassadors suddenly arrived. As soon as Yeonsu sees me, she immediately follows me with her arms crossed. There is no awkwardness at all. Park Soo-young, seeing this, takes the sunglasses off her head again and smiles.
* * *
There are many things that represent Yeongdo. However, if we limit it to places, there are Taejongdae and Yeongdodaegyo Bridge and Namhang Market. Of course, in my past life, there were places like Huinyeoul Culture Village and coastal trails, but that’s a story for later. It has not yet been redeveloped as a tourist complex.
“Wow, summer has already passed, but why is it so hot!”
After receiving the letter of appointment as public relations ambassadors, the three of us immediately took a group photo at a place that could be considered a landmark in Yeongdo. Today, the public servant in charge of the photographer was so enthusiastic that it seemed like he took hundreds of pictures in just one location. As soon as she finished filming Taejongdae and got into the car, Park Soo-young raised her nervous voice.
“How on earth does it make sense to take pictures for more than 30 minutes on such a hot day?”
Although they say so, the person who put the most effort into taking photos was none other than Park Soo-young. Even though it wasn’t like they were doing a photo shoot, the government officials worked hard because they interfered in every single cut. There were only three of us in the van, except Park Soo-young’s manager, who played the role of driver. Yeonsu only sips water to keep an eye on Park Soo-young, but clings to me and doesn’t even think about leaving. At that moment, Park Soo-young seemed to quench her throat with cold water and glanced at me.
“I heard you decided to film a little independent film?”
The news is really fast. Anyway, doesn’t he belong to the same Songwon Entertainment as Park Soo-young? CEO Kim Seong-hwan, who is famous for his talkativeness, could not have stayed still.
“You have to choose your work carefully! Independent films, in particular, are not as beautiful as the name suggests. The production environment is very difficult if you think of it as a regular drama. Are you lucky if it’s just poor? It’s not uncommon for filming to fail.”
“That’s why I liked it. Where would the fun be if everything was easy?”
“Oh, even if I tell you what I’m thinking about, I don’t know! I don’t know what I’m saying to the little boy on this hot day!”
Park Soo-young nervously put his sunglasses back on. I heard you appeared in a lot of independent films in your past life. First of all, it was because it could be filmed with a single camera rather than a theatrical version. However, as Park Soo-young said, there were many cases where the work fell flat. In extreme cases, even after filming was completed, there were cases where the film could not be shown in theaters due to lack of editing costs. At that time, Park Soo-young lowered one end of his sunglasses and elaborated.
“Don’t get art disease like anyone else. There’s no cure for it.”
Who are you talking about?
* * *
Taking photos at Namhang Market was truly reminiscent of a fan meeting. Not only market merchants but also tourists are looking at Park Soo-young with fascination. Isn’t there a saying that celebrities are celebrities? As the saying goes, Park Soo-young also had outstanding manners toward fans.
“England! It’s so cool!”
“Our UK looks like this, there are no really handsome men! Jang Young-guk is the best! The best!”
“England is next door to me! It’s a really good day! My eyes are blessed today!”
“Oh, thank you. My name is actress Park Soo-young.”
“No, there’s a little girl other than Suyeong! There’s no separate picture since Wanjai is with Yeokkuk!”
It looks like the clothes my mother picked out this morning were quite fancy. Usually, he wears a tee and shorts, but today he wore golden trousers and suspenders. Although it was a far cry from my past life tastes, it was still worth seeing given my age.
“So, let’s take a picture and then go!”
The place where we stopped at the guidance of the civil servant was none other than an alley lined with fish stalls. Mrs. Yang was waving her hand widely, and my mother was beside her, her eyes shining. I responded by waving to my mother and Aunt Yang. Because there were so many people, it was difficult to take even a single step.
“How about taking a picture with each fish? Since it’s Namhang Market.”
The civil servant expressed his opinion cautiously. It seems that the professionalism that he didn’t know about was displayed during the difficult filming. Of course, there were people who readily accepted it without hesitation, while there were also people who disliked it.
“How about I just stand in the middle holding the fish by myself?”
“Ah! That would be better!”
“Ajima, can I borrow this sea bass for a moment?”
“Of course! We, England, don’t need to know, but it’s okay! You can carry the whole basin!”
“Thank you day!”
I took out a fresh sea bass splashing in the red basin. It’s jumping so fast that I’m trying to run away. However, no matter how hard you run, you cannot miss Jang Young-guk as he is right in your palm.
“Then I’ll take a picture with the fish stall in the background!”
Park Soo-young and Yeon-su stood side by side on either side of me. I felt like I was an angler who caught a big catch while fishing on a boat. The civil servant smiles with satisfaction as he holds a sea bass with both hands. On the other hand, Park Soo-young seems to want filming to end quickly. The official raised his finger and shouted a number.
“three!”
At that moment, the sea bass squeezes out its last strength.
“two!”
As I wriggled mercilessly, my hand slipped without me realizing it. The sea bass left my grasp seemed to fly straight towards Yeonsu, but in surprise Yeonsu swatted the seabass away with a wave of his hand and hugged me.
“one!”
Food Duck Food Duck!
A sea bass that rose high in the sky fell and mercilessly hit Park Soo-young’s cheek with its strong tail.
click!
He falls back into the red basin he was in.