I Will Live As An Actor - Chapter 28
I Will Live as an Actor Episode 28
“Will Korea produce an actor like Charlie Chaplin?”
Master Baek Jang-hoon often asks himself questions. I’m not talking about the master of slapstick comedy. A great actor who led the heyday of silent films and the beginning of the global film industry. There are clear differences between film acting, theater acting, and broadcast acting. However, there were very few actors who could overcome this limitation.
“An actor who can convey the truth to the audience without saying any lines…”
There is a story that many masters of silent films have said in unison. When you watch Charlie Chaplin’s acting, you feel joy and sorrow rather than simply making the audience laugh. Even simple hand movements and eye movements convey meaning to the audience. Even without speaking, it arouses interest and naturally moves the audience forward. Even more so, how outstanding is his ability to assimilate the characters in the script to himself?
“An actor like this hasn’t been born in Korea yet.”
Of course, there were many outstanding actors in Korea. However, no one could be found who had reached the pinnacle of actor Baek Jang-hoon thought of.
“Teacher, you have seen all the works scheduled for the opening act. Which one should we do?”
At that time, an employee of Baek Jang-hoon Production quietly asked about his intentions.
“Tell the secretariat that I will contact you in time.”
“Isn’t there a work you like?”
“Is that possible? I am saying this not only because I am not looking for the best in the world of military science, but also because I cannot criticize the excellent works created by outstanding directors. It is just difficult for me to take on this position for no reason. But what are those works?”
“Ah, these are the works submitted to the independent film section of this film festival.”
A work caught Baek Jang-hoon’s eye. He picked up an independent film as if he were fascinated. I don’t know why he chose it among so many independent films. Was it simply a desire to reminisce about the fierce and pure passion of my youth? Or maybe I just needed some iced tea to cool down my complicated mind.
“Take a look at this.”
“Ah, are you talking to Ji-hwan?”
“So, seeing as the director’s name is unfamiliar, I guess this is your debut film?”
“Yes, this is a work by a director who just graduated from university. Unusually, he used a child actor as the lead actor, and the judges in the independent film category said the screenplay was quite outstanding.”
“Really? You’ll know what the movie is like when you see it for yourself.”
Baek Jang-hoon lay down on the sofa and leisurely watched the independent film To Ji-hwan. It is not an edited version shown to the general public, but a director’s cut with as little editing as possible. Therefore, for an independent film, the running time was quite long. However, as the movie progressed, rather than being boring, Baek Jang-hoon’s attitude gradually became more advanced.
There were definitely a lot of shortcomings in the directing. Since this is my debut film, it is difficult to expect an in-depth understanding of film directing. In addition, due to the nature of independent films, there were also limitations in visual beauty due to the poor production environment. But aren’t they all newbies who just graduated from college? This could be considered a good save. But what does this mean?
“her.”
After the movie ended and the screen was turned off, Baek Jang-hoon let out an exclamation without realizing it. It is not wrong to say that the screenplay is excellent. But there was something else to pay attention to. A child actor who plays the lead role in an independent film, his acting is like that of an experienced actor who has been through many hardships in the movie industry for a long time. Wrinkled eyes hold firearms. As if I went back to my youth. The gaze stays on one actor for a long time.
“Jang Young-guk.”
* * *
It was about the time when the late heat was gone and cold dew was coming. As usual, it was when I returned home from school after helping out at my mother’s fish stall. Unbelievable news is bound to arrive at unexpected moments.
“What do you say, CEO?”
I ask myself if there is something wrong with the receiver or if I am not hearing properly.
-Jihwan was selected for the opening ceremony of the Busan International Film Festival!
CEO Seonghwan Kim’s voice is clear with excitement. That’s right, the Busan International Film Festival was in the midst of transforming into a world-class film festival. It was a time when not only domestic films scheduled to be screened but also works by famous directors from around the world were invited. In such a situation, the fact that it was selected as the opening ceremony work could be seen as an opportunity to see the global response.
“Did you say it was an opening ceremony and not a general category invitation?”
-You just received a call from director Choi Tae-seop. It seems that England couldn’t contact you while you were at Namhang Market, so they contacted me straight away! Just in case, I contacted the film festival secretariat and found out that it was indeed selected as the opening ceremony film!
her.
Is this even possible? At the Busan International Film Festival, a large number of challenging works, including independent films, are screened, and most of them are screened twice in theaters designated for each section. However, the opening and closing ceremonies are screened once in front of many filmmakers and audiences. Although the number of screenings was small, it could be seen that the impact of the film was different. Moreover, being selected for the opening and closing ceremonies as a debut work has never happened in my entire life. It was a great achievement for an independent film.
-England, do you know that you are teacher Baek Jang-hoon?
“Director Baek Jang-hoon? How could you not know…!”
There are many directors in Korea who are considered great. In the future, won’t a famous director be born who will win three awards at the Academy Awards, considered the sacred ground of Hollywood, including the Palme d’Or? someone asked Obviously, Korea was a wasteland for the film industry just 50 years ago, so how did it achieve this kind of development?
‘Baek Jang-hoon’
It was no exaggeration to say that director Baek Jang-hoon was at the center of it all. He is the father of the development of the Korean film industry and one of the greatest masters in modern and contemporary history. Therefore, even famous actors with high arrogance tended to bow their heads when Baek Jang-hoon’s name was mentioned, and later, domestic directors who became internationally famous also called themselves ‘Baek Jang-hoon Kid’.
It was the same for me too. In my past life, I was a director who had been very eager to appear in the film, but around the time I made a name for myself as a supporting actor, director Baek Jang-hoon passed away, so I couldn’t meet him in person in the film. Nevertheless, he was someone I had admired for a long time because he had a great passion for movies, so why did CEO Seonghwan Kim suddenly ask about his name? Eventually, I felt my heart pounding mercilessly as the words continued on the phone.
-The teacher said he would like to see you at least once.
* * *
“To Ji-hwan?”
Reporters gathered at Suyeongman Yacht Stadium, where the Busan International Film Festival was held, tilted their heads. It was because of the opening piece announced by the secretariat. All of the films that have been selected as the opening films of the Busan International Film Festival so far have either been by famous European directors or by directors who are renowned in Korea. On the other hand, director Choi Tae-seop of To Ji-hwan is unfamiliar even with his name.
“Who is Director Choi Tae-seop?”
“I heard you are a graduate of Hanyoung University? Do you have any previous works? Reporter Choi, you are not a graduate of Hanyoung University.”
“I also asked around, and they said it’s only been a year since I graduated. So this is my first film. The film is also an independent film.”
“What? Your debut film? But how can you become an opening film?”
Not only reporters but also film officials were busy. The Busan International Film Festival Secretariat was inundated with inquiries, but all they said was that they wanted people to watch the film in person and make their own judgment. Crucially, the selection of the opening work was not made by the secretariat but by the general judges.
“Who are the general judges this time?”
“There is French director Jean-Pierre, Hong Kong producer Rio Chum, Korean movie star Ahn Jung-hyun, and the chairman of the jury is director Baek Jang-hoon.”
“Teacher Baek Jang-hoon is there? That means the movie is certain… Will Ji-hwan get the lead role?”
“They say he’s a child actor named Jang Young-guk?”
“What child actor? Who is Jang Young-guk?”
“You know that mini-series planned by KBC? It’s called Man in August, a mini-series that took over all of the works from competing broadcasters. It’s said that he played a child role there.”
“Jang Young-guk?”
Everyone tilted their heads. Since they were film officials, they were not familiar with the drama situation. Movie Star Talent Although they looked similar at first glance, there was a feeling as if they subtly defined each other’s world, as felt from the words. In reality, it was common for people to only appear in movies once they earned the title of movie star. Therefore, officials also tended to think of the two separately.
* * *
“England, do you really want to ride this?”
Song Jeong-seok, stylishly dressed in a tuxedo, walks around Mokuldae. The independent film ‘To Ji-Hwan’ was selected for the opening ceremony of the Busan International Film Festival. Thanks to that, I got to walk on the red carpet. Kim Seong-hwan, the CEO of the agency, offered to personally send a luxury van to Busan, but he vehemently refused.
“Do you hate your brother? There is no car like this. The car that became our hands and feet while filming for Ji-hwan has meaning! Meaning!”
“That’s true, but it’s because England didn’t let you ride in the back. I almost died back then. In that sense, would you like to ride in the back…?”
“Then, all three of you, get in the back. What do you think, Taeseop?”
“I agree!
We were laughing together while looking at Song Jeong-seok’s protruding mouth.
“Mister?”
Song Jeong-seok’s eyes widened. Didn’t the president of the merchant association appear dressed in a suit, different from usual? Of course, he wore a marine cap on his head. It was still the same. The Chairman of the Merchants’ Association smiles sheepishly. Many reporters are already lining up on the red carpet prepared at the Suyeong Bay Yacht Stadium where the Busan International Film Festival is held. Vehicles have appeared to announce the opening of
the Busan International Film Festival with a red carpet. As this was before the introduction of ceremonial vehicles, luxury cars or vans prepared by each actor’s agency arrived in front of the red carpet one after another as if in a car parade. Like the
sound
of firecrackers on the night sea, actors and directors appeared one by one and were in the spotlight. pouring in. The cheers of the fans leave a deep impression. Since it is being broadcast live on terrestrial television, the reporters are constantly asking questions to the actors walking the red carpet.
“Mr. Kim Hee-ryeong! Today’s outfit is quite fascinating! “Let me just say one thing to the fans who are watching on TV right now!”
It was when people’s eyes were focused on the actress wearing an unconventional dress that showed off her cleavage.
Rumbling.
A loud engine sound that made you think a cultivator had appeared from somewhere. Along with this, a van (porter) appears in front of the red carpet. I thought I might have taken a wrong turn, but seeing the security guards escorting me seems to indicate otherwise.
“Huh?”
At that moment, the van’s driver’s side window rolls down. Here we go. What an unbalanced combination. What does a Marine hat and suit mean? The middle-aged man said,
‘I’ve arrived!’
As he shouts and knocks on the driver’s door, three men in tuxedos jump out of the cargo area. The attention of ordinary people and reporters, who had been distracted by the bright dresses for a moment, immediately focuses on the three men in the van.