The Road to the Production Presentation
"P-please, save me."
I looked desperately at my mother. But she had clearly decided today was the day; she didn’t budge an inch.
Her eyes were mercilessly sharp. If a hawk hunting prey looked like that, I’d believe it. My feet took a step back on their own.
“How cute. Boss, what do you think of this?”
“Since Gongza’s face is so fair, anything suits him. Still, Soo-jung, you picked well. I like the red one.”
“I like red too. But don’t you think this’ll really stand out? Well, I guess it’s fine if it’s Gongza.”
“He can just try it on.”
Again? Please, no.
To my dismay, CEO Seo and my mother both lifted their heads at once.
Their gazes were terrifying.
I’m doomed.
The two of them looked at me as if I were a steak dripping with juices.
I, I can’t do this.
I turned to run. But a big hand landed on my shoulder immediately.
A low voice rumbled at my ear.
“Let’s change clothes.”
“S-sir.”
I looked at Mr. Deok-su with pleading eyes.
The man with a stare so sharp he’d put a gang boss to shame looked even more like an unmovable mountain today.
Still, Mr. Deok-su is my last hope.
I swallowed and tried to work the conversation.
“S-sir. Gongza has already tried on a lot.”
Mr. Deok-su glanced at the pile of clothes I’d taken off in one corner of the room.
“I see.”
“It’s already been three hours.”
I grabbed the hem of Mr. Deok-su’s sleeve. The mountain-like man nodded obediently.
“I hadn’t noticed the time passing.”
I certainly had, Mr. Deok-su.
I let out a sigh.
Where did this all start?
I felt like crying. I slowly traced my memory back. It had only been three hours ago, but maybe because I was suffering, it felt as if I were remembering a previous life.
It started with the production briefing.
It was something I had fully expected from the schedule. Back then, all I could do was smile at the long-awaited appointment that had finally come in.
At last, I’m stepping out into the world.
But when she heard the news, my mother reacted very differently from me.
This is serious, Gongza.
What is?
You have nothing to wear to the production briefing!
Honestly, it was nonsense.
Of course I do, dear mother. Let’s be realistic.
Thanks to Designer Jeong Ri-ri’s generosity, luxurious children’s clothes were piled so high in the closet that it was practically overflowing.
Besides, I don’t even wear the same thing twice.
I wore something once and that was the end of it. Then I donated everything somewhere.
At first I thought it was because we were rich.
But after seeing Ma Jeok, I realized that wasn’t it.
I just happened to have absurdly many clothes.
Well, I supposed that was possible for an entertainer.
But I’m a child actor. I’m not even an adult actor.
Was this really okay?
Still, it’s not bad.
Everything was sponsored anyway, and it meant I was doing well.
The problem is this.
I tightened my grip. Deep creases formed in the hem of Mr. Deok-su’s sleeve.
I’d grown.
Ah, the miraculous power of the coin.
I really did grow well.
Ten centimeters made the world feel different. As expected, the air really was cleaner higher up.
Of course, the price was no joke.
For half a month, my joints ached. And whenever I fell asleep, I was always inside a Viking ship.
For those fifteen days, I kept falling downward in my dreams.
I never knew why the price had to be like this.
Come to think of it, I used to have dreams like that in my previous life too.
It had been so long I’d forgotten, but that’s what happened during my growth spurts.
Even when I was Lee Hanjo, after dreaming of falling, I’d wake up taller.
Was the price actually scientific?
No. There were too many things about it that made no sense.
Besides, even the number of coins had no clear standard.
Anyway, I kept growing rapidly thanks to the coin effect.
I thought I’d turned into a bean sprout.
Every morning, Mr. Deok-su measured my height and tilted his head in confusion. About a week in, when he started to worry from a medical standpoint, I used the excuse I’d already prepared.
But I drank milk!
Fortunately, the rapid growth stopped after a month.
At least it ended before I had to go to the hospital.
Overall, my arms and legs had become long and slender. I was quite satisfied with that, especially since my pants had grown too short.
I never imagined that was the beginning of this disaster.
Suddenly, the clothes in my closet no longer fit.
My mother, who was keeping herself restrained because of the Sungjin Group situation, lamented that she couldn’t go shopping.
And then she had to call Designer Jeong Ri-ri right away.
The designer was overjoyed and immediately sent over a truck. As a result, I became a sacrifice photographed amid a mountain of clothes.
I can’t live like this!
I begged Mr. Deok-su desperately.
“Gongza is having a hard time.”
“I see.”
“I want out!”
Behind me stood my mother and CEO Seo, picking out clothes. Mr. Deok-su shifted his gaze from the pile of clothes to me, then to the people behind me.
Mr. Deok-su, get me out of here.
You can see how pitiful I am too. I really can’t live like this!
“Hmm, there certainly are a lot of clothes to wear.”
Mr. Deok-su smiled as he spoke.
“I’ll bring you some vegetable juice to help you recover from the fatigue.”
My hand, gripping his sleeve, lost its strength.
“And Boss, I think red is good too. But it would be better as an inner layer. Gongza can pull off mixed matching.”
Mixed matching? What even was that?
No, more importantly, why are you joining this madness too, Mr. Deok-su?
CEO Seo winked.
“Nice. You really know your stuff.”
“It’s for Gongza. Ah, I should check the material too. He doesn’t have any particular skin allergies, but it shouldn’t irritate him.”
“My, sir, you’re so thorough.”
Mr. Deok-su looked pleased and grinned.
“Is a production briefing usually held in a suit?”
“Usually, yes, but casual is fine too.”
“Hmm. In that case, I have some clothes I’ve been keeping in mind.”
Oh, damn it.
One more person has joined in.
Mr. Deok-su cheerfully ran off and brought back more clothes. Watching him, I buried my face in both hands.
Maybe it was because I’d grown so quickly.
For some reason, my legs have no strength at all.
I sank down where I stood.
Was the production briefing always this terrifying?
It had been a schedule I’d been waiting for, but the road I had to walk to get there was far too long and rough.
“It’s frustrating. I want to take Gongza shopping myself. But because of that second idiot who caused trouble, I can’t even step outside.”
“That will be resolved someday. When it is, I would like to accompany you as well.”
“Oh, nice. There’s a real joy in dressing Gongza up, isn’t there?”
Mr. Deok-su nodded.
“Anything suits him.”
“Casual is nice too, but his features are like carved sculpture, so a suit style does look better.”
“That’s why clothes made by Designer Jeong Ri-ri suit him so well.”
“You feel that way too, sir? I agree.”
Then CEO Seo folded his arms and said,
“Hmm, I’m against it. Designer Jeong Ri-ri’s clothes are too fairytale-like. This time I want something a little lighter.”
“That’s not bad either, I guess....”
All three of them turned to look at me at once. Still on my knees, I let out a silent scream.
“Let’s try it on, Gongza!”
“I’m looking forward to the production briefing. Aren’t we going to sell out Gongza again?”
“Boss, is that what you came here for today?”
“Partly. Given the situation, I was also worried about you. Soo-jung, how are you enjoying your rare day off?”
“With Gongza here, it’s manageable. This is fun too.”
“Good to hear. Though, to be honest, I’m having a bit of fun with this too.”
“Right?”
The two of them laughed. Then Mr. Deok-su said seriously,
“Let’s try the blue one too.”
“Mint would be nice too.”
“Gongza, green shades would work as well.”
“Honestly, anything suits him. Usually there are clothes that fit a person’s complexion, right? But he just devours everything with his looks, damn it.”
“Gongza is the unusual one. That’s why dressing him up is so much fun. Whose son is this pretty?”
“He’s your son.”
“Ah, right! My son really is that pretty.”
Oh, Mother. Please save me.
Is this what it feels like to be a mackerel in a fish market, getting poked by everyone?
Mr. Deok-su lifted me by the shoulders. As I was dragged along, I swallowed my tears.
As expected, Mom should be the one doing the work.
Usually CEO Seo would just throw something on me and call it done. But with three people involved, it was no joke.
I swallowed my tears and changed clothes again. The road to the production briefing was long and rough indeed.
* * *
“Director, please have the cast come in!”
At the staff member’s shout, I quietly followed Jung Yu-jin. Even while we were just entering, the sound of camera flashes was no joke.
I stepped up onto the stage. Maybe because it had been a while since I’d been to a place like this.
How long has it been?
I missed it. I really did.
The host’s voice rang out.
“Here are the director and cast members of the film Basement. Please take your seats. Oh, my?”
It was obvious what had startled her. I smiled brightly.
How do I look?
The host blinked at me.
I’m not the same me you used to know, am I?
Perhaps flustered, she swept a hand over her hair for no reason.
“No, I’m sorry. I was just so surprised. Gongza, why have you grown so much?”
The press hall burst into laughter.
Thank you for noticing.
I smiled warmly at the host.
“No, really, he’s grown a lot. The kid’s shot up.”
Director Rai Lak took the microphone and laughed.
“Our kid has grown a lot, hasn’t he?”
No, why am I your kid?
“Yes, everyone. That’s what time does. That tiny child has grown up like this!”
Hey now. Anyone listening would think I’d become an adult overnight.
I still probably just look like a younger elementary schooler.
The camera flashes were relentless. I smiled and looked toward the cameras.
Please take good pictures.
Well, the press photos wouldn’t be as polished as shots taken by a professional, but still.
The director and cast took their seats. The host said,
“The story of a mother and son. We’re beginning the production briefing for Basement. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen you at an event like this after the Hongryong Film Festival Best New Director Award. Director, how do you feel right now?”
Rai Lak grinned straight ahead.
“Ah, sorry. It’s been a while since I came out. I’m Rai Lak, a youthful director in his forties who’d like to have more opportunities like this.”
Wow, Director.
He handles himself so well.
Come to think of it, Director Rai Lak did have a bit of that flair.
And he’s in his forties?
He’s younger than I expected. I didn’t know that.
“Ahahaha! Director, your sense of humor is still excellent.”
“I do have quite a lot of humor. Ah, and my being a youthful director in my forties isn’t a joke, by the way.”
The hall was filled with laughter again.
Nice atmosphere.
I smiled slightly and looked ahead. The people in front of me were taking notes or filming with cameras.
Only reporters come to production briefings.
In other words, everyone here was a reporter.
“Yes. Then let’s begin the production briefing in earnest. Director, what kind of work is Basement?”
With a grin, Director Rai Lak replied,
“The film Basement is the story of a mother and son who lived trapped underground and then come out into the world. Ah, sorry. I should stop there. The rest is a spoiler.”
“Ah, now I’m even more curious about the rest.”
“You can check that anytime when you come to the theater. As you may know, our film also features a very pretty Gongza.”
No, that was a little too out of nowhere.