I Will Live As An Actor - Chapter 86
I Will Live as an Actor Episode 86
A sunny spring day.
‘It was stupid.’
Yeonsu has been suffering from depression even since the Korean Theater Festival ended. Of course, he made a mistake at such a big theater festival. Fortunately, England covered up his mistake with ad-libs, otherwise it would have turned into a major accident.
During the run-through, not only did I stutter the lines that I had never heard wrong, but I even trembled and froze. It must have been excruciating.
‘Stupid sea anemone sea squirt.’
He expresses his guilt about himself. Kim Yu-min, her best friend sitting next to her, looks restless because Yeon-soo has been in a bad mood since morning. Haven’t you always been a bright child? However, I have been crying like this for several days already.
‘What if I don’t get the award because of me…?’
The Korean Theater Festival awards ceremony is just around the corner. Yeon-soo is worried that her mistakes may affect the award winning of ‘Spring of Joseon’.
In fact, considering the aftereffects of such a new actor, director Lee Chang-hoon and England separately called Yeon-soo and reassured her that it was okay and that she could make a mistake, but the guilt that lingered in a corner of her heart could never be erased.
“Yeonsu, are you okay?”
Her best friend Kim Yu-min asked cautiously, but Yeon-soo nodded briefly and said,
‘Yes, it’s okay.’
With those words, he lowers his face towards the desk. It was lunch time, but Yeonsu didn’t even seem to have any sign of getting up from her seat. Kim Yu-min, who was looking at this with concern, suddenly opens his eyes wide and looks at the back door of the classroom.
“Why are you so depressed?”
Yeonsu raises her head when she suddenly hears a familiar voice. And then she makes eye contact with a man who is looking at her. When England suddenly visits the first-grade classroom, some girls are already making a fuss.
‘Growing pains.’
England thinks so while looking at Yeonsu. Have you ever made a mistake while acting as yourself? In my past life, when I first entered the theater world, I learned how to act by going to the extent of double-barreling, but when I stood on stage, I would freeze and make mistakes.
All of those experiences become your blood and flesh, allowing you to grow as an actor with deep depth. In that sense, Yeonsu is currently experiencing growing pains.
At that moment, England grabs Yeonsu’s hand and lifts her up from her seat.
“Follow me.”
As England leaves the classroom holding Yeonsu’s hand, the female students start to fuss even more than before. The sight of England suddenly visiting the first grade classroom and taking Yeonsu out was like a scene from a movie.
* * *
“Then, the grand prize work will be unanimously unified as ‘Spring of Joseon.’”
The judges of the Korean Theater Festival are gathered. They are all characters who have experienced hardships in the theater for a long time. The president of the association, sitting at the head of the table, cannot hide his surprise.
In fact, so far, when selecting the grand prize work for the Korean Theater Festival, the judges have wrestled with each other over the work that impressed them. But this year was different.
‘It was that amazing.’
Didn’t the judges, whose faces were full of wrinkles, arrive at a unanimous result? Even though they were actors who were usually called stubborn, there was no disagreement that Spring of Joseon was the grand prize work. It is a work that has already received attention not only from the theater world but also from the public.
Moreover, due to the combination of Jeong Yong-dae and Seong Ji-hoon, it was impossible to argue with the quality of the work and directing ability. However, as is always the case with human review, things cannot always proceed smoothly. The problem was next.
“Who should we pick for the Actor of the Year Award? I think actor Jang Young-guk, who played the lead role of Baek Moo-yeol in Spring of Joseon, is the most suitable. I think he perfectly recreated the appearance of a modern boy on the streets of Gyeongseong. With his calm and calm monologue, Then, seeing him sob breathlessly with glaring eyes made me burst out in admiration. Where on earth did an actor like this appear out of nowhere?”
“That’s right. When I saw that actor, I also thought of the late Shin Jae-yeol, who played Jang Do-san in ‘Taebaek’. I never dreamed that I would feel the same thrill I felt watching Shin Jae-yeol’s play at the time. ”
“Teacher Choi and Teacher Park, please fixate for a moment. No matter how you think about it, it is a bit unfair to give the Actor of the Year award to a young actor named Jang Young-guk. They say he turned 19 this year, and his acting skills may be good, but he is old… This year’s Korean Theater Festival will feature the theater industry. Many actors who have been active for a long time participated. Their acting could not be worse than that of a young actor named Jang Young-guk.”
Elders in the theater world argue. It creates a sharp conflict like the conflict between hardliners and moderates that took place during the Joseon Dynasty. The Actor of the Year Award, given to only one person at the Korean Theater Festival, is an award that every theater person hopes for. After all, is there any actor whose dream is to win the Actor of the Year award rather than to win the grand prize?
Since it is an award given to an actor who has reached the pinnacle of the theater world, there are many from the moderates who say that actors who are too young should not win, to the hardliners who say that there is a law that prevents an actor from winning the award just because of his age. Kim Sang-do, the president of the association, who was watching the elders bicker, coughs and focuses their attention.
“Seniors, I will just say something.”
Although he is the president of the association, Kim Sang-do is a junior compared to the elders. Moreover, since he does not have the qualifications to be a judge, he is in a position where he cannot dictate the award. This is because the influence of elders was strong in the theater world. Kim Sang-do says this while looking at the old elders who already say that too large a reward should not be given to a young actor.
“It would be good if the awards were handed out evenly so that everyone would be satisfied. Especially since Spring of Joseon won the grand prize, some people would think that the Actor of the Year award could go to an established actor from another work. Senior Yang, you think that too, right?”
“The president of the association is good at saying things. That’s true. The Korean Theater Festival was originally a gathering for the revival of the theater world, not a place to draw attention to one person. Moreover, the young friend named Jang Young-guk was not even a theater actor in the first place. ?”
“That’s right. He is a person who appeared like a comet and heated up the theater world. Originally, the main stage was not even a theater stage. However, I would like to ask senior Yang one thing. He said that the Korean Theater Festival was originally a gathering for the revival of the theater world. In other words, wouldn’t it be possible to interpret this as a gathering for the revival of the theater world?”
“It is a place with such stature and a long history. It can be said to be the heart of Korean theater.”
“Senior Yang, it’s a sore.”
Association President Kim Sang-do adds with a sharp look in his eyes.
“Why are you trying to turn the Korean Theater Festival into an academic festival?”
* * *
Is this what the Grand Bell Awards Film Festival will be like? The Korean Theater Association is going crazy over the countless interest pouring into the awards ceremony held in conjunction with the closing ceremony. Starting from broadcasters to media companies, the Minister of Culture is now even stepping in to give the closing greeting. This was proof that the public’s interest was so focused.
“tremble?”
In response to England’s question, Yeonsu shakes her head vigorously. Her face is also full of smiles. There are already countless leading actors standing behind the stage where the awards ceremony takes place. This is to give the first greeting to the audience who came to the awards ceremony.
The main actors are each dressed in the costumes of their roles in the play. Yeonsu is also excited wearing the pure white hanbok that Kang Heesu wore. Anyway, England has also transformed into a modern boy who dominated an era in the black suit and fedora that Baek Moo-yeol often wore.
-Return as a lawyer, Wolgok’s story, Jeongsangok, List’s song, Man and Woman, Seo Sang-il’s Chronicles…
Following the host’s lead, the main characters of the works that attended the Korean Theater Festival go up to the stage in order. finally.
-Spring in Joseon!
As Young-Kuk and Yeon-Soo go up to the stage holding hands, shouts like cheers erupt. Director Lee Chang-hoon and the actors sitting at the table are watching with satisfaction.
As always, England greets the audience with a relaxed and confident Baek Moo-yeol smile, and Yeon-soo also bows her head in a neat manner, as if to express Kang Hee-soo’s upright character.
The awards ceremony proceeds smoothly under a brilliant spotlight. Because so many people came to watch the awards ceremony, it was obvious that the organizers were nervous.
It feels like they have made every effort to ensure that you will not be bored even once. What stands out is the consideration of using a large screen, similar to the type seen at the Grand Bell Awards, to allow everyone, even the audience sitting in the last row, to see the actors receiving awards.
-Actress of the Year Award―!
The actors who attended the Korean Theater Festival awards ceremony are all shaking their necks and looking at the awards ceremony stage. What every theater person hopes for is the Actor of the Year Award. Due to the nature of the Korean Theater Festival, there are many established actors who have built their careers in theater. Since it was an opportunity to select only one actor among them, how could you not be jealous?
-Jang Young-guk as Baek Mu-yeol, Spring of Joseon!
As the actor’s name is called, everyone’s attention is focused. Baek Moo-yeol, no, England, dressed as a modern boy, goes up to the awards ceremony stage. After receiving the award plaque from the Minister of Culture and standing in front of the microphone, the host made a mischievous expression and said something.
“Actor Jang Young-guk, many people are watching right now, so please don’t do that and just tell us what you think as Baek Mu-yeol, the main character of Joseon Spring!”
Anyway, the makeup is done and even the clothes are the same as Baek Mu-yeol’s. He looked like a modern boy who had just run out of the streets of Gyeongseong. The audience, reporters, and even actors sitting at the table who visited the awards ceremony had expressions of anticipation on their faces.
Should I panic?
How much is jjambap in the UK? Britain has also been around the theater for a long time, although not as long as the elders sitting on the judging panel. This is about improvisation. Modern Boy takes off his fedora and scans the audience. The look in his eyes is confident and relaxed, as if he has found his rightful place.
“Just like flowers blooming and fading, the harsh winter has passed and spring has come again. Seeing the beautiful flowers blooming so abundantly, it seems that spring has truly arrived in Joseon as well. My heart beats hard as I smell the scent of spring that I have been waiting for so long. “Running. I didn’t know at the time that such a great day would come.”
His jokes make the audience laugh.
“By the way, I haven’t introduced myself yet. Everyone who comes here, please remember my name.”
Modern Boy explains with a bright smile.
“I am Baek Mu-yeol, Joseon’s greatest Parakho.”
* * *
After the theater festival ended, I had to travel back and forth between Seoul and the provinces to perform for a month. How many inquiries have there been for a repeat performance? To repay the audience, I walked around until my feet got heat rash. One month passed quickly like running water.
As I traveled around the country working with actors, I remembered my past life. Didn’t you want to become this much loved actor back then? Just then, as if to awaken my thoughts, the interviewer touches me with bright eyes. The VJ’s camera is already lit up as if he is excited.
interview.
“It seems that interest in actor Jang Young-guk is increasing day by day since the Korean Theater Festival. In particular, I understand that inquiries about the revival of Joseon’s Spring, which he performed passionately at the Korean Theater Festival, continue to pour in even after the local tour. This is how Joseon’s “Did you expect spring to be popular across the country?”
My head bobs for a moment in response to the interviewer’s question. Honestly, I had no idea it would be this popular. It all started because of someone’s internet review. Didn’t the poet who watched the play post his impressions on the Internet?
-The acting skills of a young actor named Jang Young-guk were literally like a flower waiting for an uncertain spring day. Didn’t Parakho’s eyes, which were full of joy at first, suddenly turn into muffled sobs? Looking at that, I prayed and hoped that the flower would bloom. As someone who had no knowledge of theater, I saw the spring of Joseon that day and realized the sorrow of the dying independence fighters of the past, and I looked back at myself enjoying the spring day without any compunction on the land that had finally been built on countless sobs. I have a wish to see you all again someday. If you ask me why I watch something I’ve seen before, it’s because I want to be thrilled by the birth of a great actor.
It was no exaggeration to say that the Republic of Korea was literally in an uproar as the internet was spreading at a time when appreciation for the play was mushrooming and media outlets that attended the Korean Theater Festival were pouring out articles. How could it be that there was a story related to ‘Joseon Spring’ on the 9 o’clock news? They say it opened a new horizon in the theater world.
“Returning to the main topic, I understand that Confessions of a Priest, starring actor Jang Young-guk, will be released soon. Have you seen the edited version in advance?”
“I really want to see it, but unfortunately, I couldn’t see it because I’m a minor. As you know, Confessions of a Priest is a movie that is not suitable for teenagers, isn’t it?”
“It’s such a shame. I never thought the lead actor wouldn’t be able to appreciate his work.”
It’s a lie. In fact, I have already finished reviewing the edited version with director Shin Seong-hyeon. It’s not a movie theater for teenagers to watch, so who can point out that they’re watching it while sitting across from each other in the editing room? The impression I had upon watching the edited movie was so great that I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.
“Do you think actor Jang Young-guk is aiming for a certain number of viewers for this Confession of a Priest?”
“Of course, I would be grateful if many people came. However, it wouldn’t be bad if we just broke even.”
“Oh, you’re so humble. Please don’t be like that, just tell me secretly. Off the record.”
Film production and publicity costs are around 2.5 billion won, and the break-even point is around 1 million won, including publicity costs. Since no film that is not suitable for teenagers has ever been successful at the box office, there is also a prevailing expectation that it will not exceed the break-even point. However, the UK explains with a meaningful smile that it is off the record.
“Five million?”
In my heart, I probably wanted to shout out that you are welcome. However, as times change, there has never been a time when a commissioned and unofficial film was so successful. To put it bluntly, it was such a great work that it would have been featured on the front page of the newspaper even if it had only 5 million viewers nationwide.
“Really? If that really happens, it could leave a mark on the Korean film industry.”
“It’s all wishful thinking. They say you have to dream big, right?”
“As a fan, I hope that actor Jang Young-guk’s dream will come true.”
“Then I guess I should hope for it too. That our movie will do well.”
Who knows? That England’s wishes will come true and they will overflow.