I Will Live As An Actor - Chapter 89
I Will Live as an Actor Episode 89
[Confessions of a Priest: The number of viewers nationwide exceeds 5 million in just 19 days of its release!]
[The unbelievable advance reservation rate continues to soar. Rewriting the box office records for movies that were requested and sold.]
[10 million movies is no longer a dream. Will it be the first movie in Korea to reach 10 million?]
On the 19th day since Confessions of a Priest was released nationwide, the cumulative number of viewers exceeded 5 million. It is no exaggeration to say that it will leave a huge mark on Korean film history, given its rapid growth and the reservation rate that is soaring through the roof every day without any intention of slowing down, despite being a non-commercial film.
“Heh, I heard that it will become a seed.”
Reporter Son Min-seon cannot keep his mouth shut. Isn’t he the person who was interviewed in England just before Confessions of a Priest was released? In the interview at the time, he said his goal was just to break even, but off the record he said his goal was 5 million.
At the time, Son Min-seon was a fan of England, but as a broadcasting station official, he thought calmly that it was unreasonable for a film to receive 5 million viewers.
“Did you hear Senior Son?”
“What? Is there any interesting news? Is there a romance happening in a mixed group somewhere?”
“No, that’s not it. I was rejected by SBC as well.”
“Who is SBC rejecting?”
“It’s just that this guy called a reporter is so slow in keeping up with the news. Even though the SBC drama department offered the highest ever appearance fee to cast Jang Young-guk, he didn’t even think about it and gave it up. There are rumors going around the broadcasting station right now. The rumor that I heard is that he is better than Kim Hyuk, Love of the Sun. “I heard the appearance fee was high.”
“What?”
Taeyang’s Love is a drama that dominated home theaters a few years ago. At the time, there was a bigger topic of discussion among broadcasters than viewership ratings. It was the appearance fee of top actor Kim Hyuk, who was the male lead. He was a person who broke the gold standard for appearance fees, which had been considered an unwritten rule until now.
As a result, an era began where top actors’ synagogue appearance fees hovered around 10 million won. It is impossible to imagine that the amount is more than that. What’s even more surprising is that Kim Hyuk is a veteran with more than ten years of experience, enough to have won an acting award, but England is only in his fourth year of acting.
“That’s not all. Love calls are pouring in not only from broadcasters, but also from Chungmuro and the advertising world, but they say they all turned them down. Even if it’s not for the next project, just filming a few commercials would be enough to buy a few apartments in Seoul, so I don’t know why. I don’t have any greed. “Is this true, or is the ransom not yet satisfied?”
“You can’t tell by looking at me, of course I’m not greedy!”
Although it was only one interview, reporter Son Min-seon was able to see what Britain is like. I have interviewed many actors so far, but I have never found anyone who was so polite and kind-hearted. In addition, his values as an actor are also unique, so when I interviewed him, I felt as if I was talking to a great actor with unparalleled acting experience.
“Aren’t you going to ask for an interview with your senior again?”
“Why haven’t I tried it? I’ve already done it. But the schedule is so far behind that they can’t give a definite answer on when it will be possible. The Jang Young-guk syndrome that started after the Korean Theater Festival is continuing to Confession of a Priest. Ugh, how did I schedule future interviews then? “I should have caught him. He said he was going to a pre-interview for director Jin-Woo Bae’s blockbuster movie for no reason. When I listened to the people in the field, they said there was no such thing as a failure.”
“If you look around, even your senior gets upset like this once in a while.”
“wanna die?”
As the junior hurriedly runs away, reporter Son Min-seon wipes his face. At one time, there was all kinds of talk in Chungmuro that they were producing a blockbuster that would overturn Hollywood’s stronghold. It was a work that received a lot of anticipation at the time, but in reality, after listening to the people involved in filming, it was said that there was no such thing as a failure.
What’s worse is that the distributor even pushed back the release date once more, saying they would release it once the Confession of a Priest craze was over. It was clearly a run away. In contrast, the priest’s confessions are breaking records every day. Reporter Son Min-seon looks at the face of England adorning the front page of the article and speaks as if predicting the future.
“Really..”
Korea’s first.
“Aren’t you going to become a million-dollar actor?”
* * *
“Director, are you telling me to just use poison now?”
Shouts come and go from the MBS drama director’s office. It is said that it is scarier when a calm person gets angry, and the famous PD, who is usually known for his gentleness, gets angry up to the tip of his chin.
“I said I would do a historical drama that none of my seniors had refused to take on, but now I wonder if it makes sense to treat them so poorly.”
“Producer Yu, calm down. I want to increase everything, so let’s take it slow. The cast hasn’t been completely confirmed yet. The writer has also been changed several times. Producer Yu, I know your abilities well, but this isn’t your first time in a historical drama. Right now. To be honest, it’s difficult to increase the production cost. They’ll say something rude above, but there’s no reason to persuade them. Isn’t that right?”
“I really want to turn around like a ticking time bomb, but now that it’s confirmed that I’m going to do it, I’m pulling back. If I were to say that I would give a megaphone to a guy who has never filmed a historical drama before and didn’t even have a topknot, wouldn’t it be that urgent? And the number of episodes of the historical drama is so bad.” Is it just regular raw fish? Is it okay to budget the production cost for a mini mini and then make a historical drama?”
Drama Director Kim Won-seok narrows and relaxes his eyebrows repeatedly. Honestly, there is nothing wrong with it, so I have nothing to say. It is often said that an old gwan is a good gwan. This phrase is desperately used in broadcasting, especially in the field of historical dramas.
There are many genres of drama, but when you think of historical dramas, the place that comes to mind is KBC Drama Bureau. As a public broadcaster, hasn’t it created several epic full-length dramas based on its outstanding experience?
‘Hit a rock with an egg.’
Therefore, ever since MBS announced that it would stage a historical drama competition in the same time slot as KBC, broadcasters started saying that it was a battle between David and Goliath, and even saying that MBS was trying to expand the spectrum of drama genres by adjusting the assortment. Actually, that statement is not wrong.
Since it is impossible not to produce it just because it is not a major issue, the higher-ups have decided to produce it without crying. Therefore, production costs are limited and guidelines have been issued to recycle even the sets that were used in the past.
“Producer Yoo, are you telling me that I’m leaving soon?”
“That can’t be possible. If that were the case, I would have at least forced myself not to take on a historical drama like the other seniors. Or should I lie down right now? Just like the nobles who are eavesdropping outside.”
The MBS drama department producers who were eavesdropping outside the director’s office were so shocked that they left. Only after the appearance of popularity has disappeared does he look at the famous director and elaborate.
“Director! Since when did our drama department become so obsessed with one position? All of our seniors are trying to gain CP and build their careers, and you, the director, are careful not to step on even a single fallen leaf. In the past, you were like a maverick. “The guy who controlled the drama department is no longer going on a rampage because he doesn’t come out of the director’s office like a toothless tiger every time.”
“The guy who used to work under me as an FD and manage the field is now talking back to me.”
“Why, I don’t want to pay attention like those people out there. So, if the director gives me the right push this time, I will somehow increase the viewership ratings. Please push me a little bit, okay? Even though I did that, if the drama doesn’t work out, then I will voluntarily resign.”
“Even if you end up in a field of dog shit, this life is better than the afterlife, and no matter how dirty or shameful it is, resignation is not something you should use carelessly.”
“It’s a good thing if it’s just dirty and dishonest. It’s a place full of noblemen who don’t take care of their own family and instead report it to the head of the department and get kicked out to the youngest member of the entertainment department who just joined the entertainment department. No matter how much of a jungle the drama department is, it’s as unscrupulous as blowing a trumpet at a mourner’s house. “I don’t want to live like that.”
Drama Director Kim Won-seok wipes his dry lips.
“Let’s see who they have selected for the lead role and whether they are asking to increase the production pie from the beginning.”
“Actress Jang Young-guk.”
“what?”
My eyes widen. You might be wondering if you heard something wrong. However, there is no change in Yu Yun’s expression.
“Do you think it makes sense to be famous? Don’t you know that Jang Young-guk’s movie has just been released and the number of viewers nationwide has surpassed 5 million? Do you know how much he is worth now? And he has never filmed a historical drama.”
“I’ve never performed in a play, but don’t you know how great it was at the Korean Theater Festival?”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying. Does it make sense for a young star whose stock is soaring through the roof to film a historical drama? I heard that SBC tried to cast him by spending a lot of money, but he was rejected. Even just for the appearance fee. They say it was so great that it left a mark in the history of SBC’s drama department, but they said they wouldn’t do it without even looking back. But they’re doing ours?”
Historical dramas are a genre that top actors avoid. That’s because compared to mini-series that are popular these days, the episodes are long, the amount of dialogue is long, and how much makeup time does it take? As a joke, it is said that it takes 3 hours just to do the makeup to film for 10 minutes.
Moreover, most filming locations are located in rural areas or in rugged places in the mountains, so isn’t it called an extreme job for a broadcaster?
“How can you give up without even starting!”
However, he is famous for speaking confidently like a young friend who told himself in the past that he had to wait for the long and the short.
* * *
Songwon Entertainment.
Confessions of a Priest has surpassed 5 million viewers nationwide in just 19 days since its release, and Songwon is in the mood for a party. However, even at a banquet hall, there were definitely uninvited guests. CEO Kim Seong-hwan and England are sitting facing a middle-aged man.
“Oh my gosh, Actor Jang!”
Cha Min-yong is the middle-aged man and president of New Year’s Food. He makes exaggerated gestures and greets the UK and its representative Kim Seong-hwan.
“I don’t know if Boss Cha made me wait too long. I guess it’s because Actor Jang’s schedule is behind us.”
“There’s no need to do that. How are we strangers? Who doesn’t know that Actor Jang is the busiest actor in Korea right now? You’ve probably already heard a lot of congratulations, so we’re celebrating Actor Jang at home to celebrate reaching 5 million viewers nationwide. “I’ll give you the bonsai I brought.”
“I don’t know if I can accept it since you’re giving me something so precious.”
“Oh, you don’t have to say that. Honestly, if it weren’t for Actor Jang, our New Year’s food business would have been able to prosper like this. Please relax and receive it. If that’s the case, should I give you something other than a bonsai? Even if it’s an apartment in a nice place if you feel like it. ”
“No. No.”
England stands up and accepts the bonsai given to him by President Cha. Even at first glance, these orchids look expensive. A stranger might wonder how expensive orchids are, but among bonsai enthusiasts, even orchids, which are known to be cheap, cost as much as a mid-sized car. CEO Kim Seong-hwan takes a quick look and asks President Cha Min-yong.
“But when I contacted them, they said the head of the public relations department was coming, so how could President Cha himself?”
“The head of our public relations department, Seok, is good at it, but he still doesn’t have much to say. I also wanted to see actor Jang’s face, so I came here in person. From my family to my children, everyone is a fan of actor Jang. My son is discharged from the military and Jang is a fan. I guess I was impressed after seeing your movie. I also want to become a movie actor. Installation doesn’t have to be a hassle. That’s not what’s important. Actor Jang, if you have time, please stop by my house. Oh well, I’m not a person. “I’m very worried that Actor Jang’s schedule is so busy these days that he needs to take care of his body. I’m worried. He’s the kind of person who wouldn’t give me a tonic when my hair falls out while I’m working outside all the time. Hehe.”
No matter how you look at him, he seems like a businessman who talks a lot. From lively temperament to humor that makes it difficult to tell whether it’s a joke or serious. Even as an actor, I feel like I can do sly acting better than most actors.
“So, I was wondering if our Actor Jang would film the second commercial for our apple drink. Handsome men like apples. This one sticks to their mouths and hasn’t come off for a year.”
England unconsciously lifts his teacup to moisten his mouth and barely swallows what almost sounds like a sob. Nevertheless, President Cha Min-yong continues to elaborate.
“I have already thought about the line I will use for part 2. My refreshing feeling always lasts with New Year’s apples. Jang Young-guk, the human refreshing feeling.”
“Wouldn’t that be too much, boss?”
“No, it’s not excessive at all. When I just look at Actor Jang’s face, I get all kinds of feelings, starting with a refreshing feeling. Rather, I’m more worried because the phrase I thought of doesn’t seem enough.”
As the story continues, it gets more and more intense. If things continue like this, we’re really going to have to film a second apple drink commercial. When the UK secretly glances at Representative Kim Seong-hwan, Representative Kim Seong-hwan nods his head and says.
“Boss, don’t do that, how about you go out with me and have dinner together and talk about it. Since the boss is coming to our agency today, I made a reservation at the most famous Korean restaurant in the area.”
“Really? Oh, I never thought I would receive such a warm welcome. Of course, it’s CEO Kim. Then, how about our Actor Jang as well?”
“Ah, I don’t think I can go with Actor Jang. I have a separate schedule afterward. An official from the broadcasting station has come to see Actor Jang in the next room right now.”
“It is a time when even ten bodies are not enough. I will have to make and send a body medicine for our actor Jang. But what about the contract?”
“Isn’t it a case of death that cannot be decided right now? How about having a drink with me and talking slowly?”
“Good, good. By the way, I’ll shoot the second round!”
“2nd round?”
CEO Kim Seong-hwan’s face as he walks along with President Cha Min-yong is to die for. This is an advertising contract that will not happen anyway. That’s because he’s so busy with his overwhelming schedule that he’s giving up on not only advertising but even his next project.
Moreover, apple drink was an advertisement that the UK was very reluctant to advertise. England shouts “fighting” in a low voice to the back of CEO Kim Seong-hwan who is walking away.
* * *
Immediately after the meeting with Cha Min-yong, CEO of New Year Foods, England heads straight to the next room of the representative office. Because sitting there was a friendly person who I had wanted to meet so much.
“Producer Yu!”
England looks excited as if he was meeting a teacher from his school days. After failing as an actor in your past life, didn’t you promise yourself that you would never act again? However, he was the person who became my compass at such a crossroads. If the famous PD hadn’t visited Yeongdo Namhang Market, he wouldn’t have been where he is today.
“England, should I call you Actor Jang now?”
The famous producer smiles a little awkwardly. A child actor who used to be around his waist is now tall and is well over his own height. Moreover, his status as an actor has also changed to the extent that it can be said to be the difference between heaven and earth.
“Please feel free to call us like we used to. It’s been a while since I saw PD Yoo, so I want to see Director Kim again. Are you well, Director Kim?”
“Senior Kim, we always get along well. I saw you recently, and you were talking about us. We were all grown up in England. I was thinking of contacting you while drinking beer at a pub, but it turns out you’re a minor and you’ve grown into a big actor.”
“Hey, what’s the difference between me then and now? I’m really sad if you keep acting so awkwardly.”
Yoo Myung smiles as he looks at England’s smile. The deep look in his smile evokes nostalgia for the past. I wonder if a kid who sold fish in South Port was chosen as a child actor for no reason. Even back then, I fell in love with you right away when I saw those eyes.
“But the reason you came to see me wasn’t just to see my face. Could it be that you came because you couldn’t come to the preview screening last time?”
“I was sorry at the time. Something happened at the broadcasting station and I couldn’t find the time to keep up. Still, I watched the movie and watched the Korean Drama Festival the other day. England’s charisma was completely different from when she was a child, right?”
“Why didn’t you come to the waiting room? I thought PD Yu had completely forgotten about me.”
“Every time I turn on the TV, it’s your story, so how could I forget it? Moreover, how could I forget the mascot of my debut film? I probably won’t forget it until I die.”
Stories come and go about past days that we haven’t been able to share. They are two people who enjoy the holidays as if family members who have been separated for a long time are reunited. How much time has passed? Eventually, the famous producer walks around Mokuldae and gets to the point.
“England, you haven’t decided on your next project yet, right?”
“I’m so busy these days. You know.”
“Look at the weight on your shoulders already. Are you saying that the number of viewers has now surpassed 5 million? If this continues, if you become an actor with 10 million, we in the UK won’t even be able to make eye contact.”
“Ah, you can’t even joke. So are you here because of an offer for your next project?”
“I don’t know how to talk back, so I’ll just say it bluntly. England, why don’t you try your next project with me? The genre is a historical drama.”
“A historical drama?”
It’s surprising. Isn’t he a famous producer who has mainly worked on mini-series so far? It was not easy to understand that he, who had been active in a genre far removed from historical dramas, was suddenly in charge of a historical drama. Moreover, since famous actors tend to avoid historical dramas, it was clear that there would be difficulties in casting actors.
“I’ll be honest with you. I’m still very behind on my schedule after the release of Confessions of a Priest, and I’m preoccupied with the Scholastic Ability Test to be held this fall. Should I study or keep up with my schedule? Because of that, my agency has told me to postpone all commercials or next projects. They are being considerate.”
Public and private life had to be clear. It is true that I received help from a famous producer in the past, but it is not the right time to promise my next work right now, and I do not know the details of the work yet.
When we talked about it, it was said that the writers were changed several times. This meant that it was a work with a lot of talk. This is not a matter for the actor to decide arbitrarily. The famous PD briefly nods his head as if reading England’s thoughts.
“It’s not that I didn’t expect it, but you can start cranking on the work after this fall as you wish, and the script is in contact with the writer right now, so just wait a little while and the script will come out. If I tell you honestly, the movie directors will review the script and decide on the sequence. “Just like selecting the right actor, there is no character like you in England for the historical drama I’m planning.”
“You said it was a historical drama. What kind of character is it based on?”
Doesn’t a historical drama list a large number of characters from across the history of the Republic of Korea? I couldn’t help but wonder who the main character in the work the famous producer was planning was. England’s eyes widened at the following remark.
“Yeonsangun (燕山君).”