Chapter 188: Secret Weapon (3)
Chapter 188: Secret Weapon (3)
Lee Sang-soo is an actor.
A veteran actor.
Once, he had experienced a great failure in Hollywood.
However, no one could deny that he was a legendary actor who had once led the Republic of Korea, a veteran with a career that ranked among the very best.
But everyone also knew that he had grown old.
"Are you sure you're alright, sir?"
That was what they said at Lee Sang-soo's current agency.
"You've been resting for a long time. Aren't you overexerting yourself so suddenly? Especially for a villainous role."
His manager, who had been with him for years, and the other actors at the agency—all of them said the same thing. They suggested he rest a bit longer. They told him he should take more time to find his peace.
"Don't pay too much mind to what the young fellow said."
Even Song Gwang-min, an actor he was close with and who filmed Star Fisherman with him, spoke to Lee Sang-soo in that vein. Of course, Song Gwang-min’s nuance was that if Lee Sang-soo wanted to do it, then that was enough.
However, no one truly sent Lee Sang-soo their confidence regarding the film shoot.
Whether it was because of his failure in Hollywood or simply out of consideration, Lee Sang-soo honestly couldn't tell. He was too old to bother distinguishing between the two, and his temperament wasn't one for overthinking such things.
It’s a funny thing.
In truth, even he had lost faith in himself.
The flames of acting that had once burned so fiercely had now died down, leaving only embers behind.
Perhaps that was why his eyes were drawn to her.
"I want to appear in this movie with Mr. Lee Sang-soo."
He remembered the young actress who had spoken without hesitation about a subject everyone else avoided.
Ju Seo-yeon.
The girl everyone praised as a genius actress.
Now stepping into adulthood, she had looked at him with calm, steady eyes.
"It's a role in Director Baek Min's new film. It's a villain, a character with a very powerful presence. They say it's a role that not just anyone can handle."
In that gaze, it was as if the thought of him refusing never even crossed her mind.
She told him there was a vacancy in Director Baek Min's film. Seo-yeon said she truly hoped Lee Sang-soo would take that spot.
The funny thing was that this actress, who was being so stubborn, looked at him with more belief than anyone else. Even as he himself was wavering, hesitating to return to dramas or films.
"Yes. I know."
"I also know that you won't refuse."
Seo-yeon had spoken in a tone full of conviction, as if she knew the actor named Lee Sang-soo all too well.
Those words were like magic, making him nod his head instinctively. It was the sensation of someone breathing life into dying embers.
That was why he had accepted the proposal.
Even if he said he would appear, Director Baek Min would insist on seeing him act first. Most would think it was a mere formality. Given Director Baek Min's personality, even if he wanted to be thorough, the situation wouldn't allow for it.
It was such an important role.
But who would want to step into a spot that an actor had already vacated? It was obvious they would be compared to the previous actor. Furthermore, if it was a Baek Min film, one couldn't even expect a box office hit. His most successful work to date had capped at around three million viewers. And if the film contained homosexual elements, it would surely do worse this time.
That was the perception among actors.
However, Lee Sang-soo accepted.
It wasn't because of Director Baek Min, but because of Seo-yeon's words. It was because of the faith she had placed in him.
"A friend once told me something."
"Pardon?"
Just before getting out of the van after arriving at the filming site, Lee Sang-soo spoke to his manager.
"He said there are two main types of stars. Those who carry an ember, and those who carry starlight."
"...Isn't that something Park Sun-woong says often?"
"Ah, you know it too? He must really like the ring of it."
Lee Sang-soo chuckled.
Park Sun-woong—that man had a bit of a poetic streak and often expressed things that way. Some might tell him to stop saying such cringeworthy things, but Lee Sang-soo found himself relating to it.
Even when everyone else called Lee Sang-soo a great actor, the star of stars, his junior Park Sun-woong had said this to him—and it was back when he was first breaking into Hollywood.
"Senior, you are a blaze."
A blaze that burned more intensely than anything else; a blaze that, when viewed up close, shone hotter than any star.
"But once it dies down, it will be very difficult to make it burn again."
"Hey, Actor Park. If you want to curse me, just come out and say it."
"I'm only saying this out of concern as your junior."
They had shared that conversation just before his Hollywood challenge. And in the end, it had turned out exactly as he said. His blaze had effectively gone out, and there was no sign of it catching fire again.
Finding that funny as well, Lee Sang-soo gave a short laugh and continued to his manager.
"But... isn't there a saying?"
"What saying, sir?"
"Always double-check a fire you think is out, or something like that."
"Pardon?"
"No, it's just... even when it's all gone out and no one thinks the flame will ever rise again, sometimes, by a complete fluke, against all odds, an ember survives."
Just like what Park Sun-woong had said.
For example, if one encounters someone who carries starlight...
Perhaps his own embers might catch fire again.
Somehow, he had that vague feeling.
*
They had heard that the actor who would take over the role of 'Goto Isamu' was coming today.
They were told the director would check the actor's performance, and if it was good, they would proceed as planned. That would mean the most significant void among the several vacancies would be filled.
That was the extent of what the production staff on set today expected, but...
Why is Actress Ju Seo-yeon here?
Is Seo-yeon the one playing the opposite role in today's audition?
I naturally assumed it would be Seo-hee.
No, in the first place, a partner wasn't strictly necessary to evaluate acting. Acting could be done alone, and today's audition was essentially a formality. Rather than delaying the shoot day after day, it was less costly to just find a suitable replacement.
"So, when is the actor for Goto Isamu arriving?"
"It's almost the scheduled time, but they're not here yet."
"They didn't just back out again, did they?"
When they asked Director Baek Min, he only offered a smile. He explained it was someone who would surprise them, but they couldn't quite grasp who it could be.
Who could it possibly be? Any actor with a decent name would likely refuse to come.
Just as they were thinking that, the door to the set opened.
"...!!"
The first to react was Seo-yeon, who had been looking over the script. Her sensitive intuition had picked up a presence hesitating for a moment behind the door.
"Hello, everyone."
An elderly actor walked in with a genial expression. His face was lined with wrinkles, and his hair was streaked with white. However, his strong eyes and firm set of his mouth spoke of a stubborn personality.
Lee Sang-soo.
The legendary actor who had appeared in countless hit dramas and films had appeared on set. In terms of name value alone, he was far above Kang Seo-hyuk, who had originally been slated for the role of 'Goto Isamu.' Furthermore, he was known as a traditionalist, an actor who would never appear in something like a Baek Min film.
The set, which had been buzzing with chatter, fell silent instantly. Everyone froze at the unexpected turn of events. Even if his Hollywood venture had failed, the name Lee Sang-soo was not something one could dare to ignore.
"Hello, Senior."
It was Seo-yeon who broke the silence. She bowed politely as if she had known all along that Lee Sang-soo was coming.
Did Seo-yeon already know?
How? Did the director tell her in advance?
Then he could have at least given us a hint!
With those thoughts swirling, everyone greeted Lee Sang-soo warmly. Finally, Director Baek Min approached him.
"I'm looking forward to your performance today."
"Haha, well now, those are some pressuring words."
"Even if you've rested for a bit, your skills wouldn't have rusted, would they?"
At Director Baek Min's words, spoken with a faint smile, Lee Sang-soo smiled back.
He's a rare type among young directors.
Though he was smiling, Lee Sang-soo knew. Director Baek Min was the type to be incredibly stubborn. If 'Goto Isamu' didn't match the color he envisioned, he would boldly reject him. Even if it was Lee Sang-soo. Even if everyone else opposed it.
The reason Kang Seo-hyuk had previously held the role of 'Goto Isamu' was that his acting style was the closest to the 'Goto Isamu' Director Baek Min wanted.
But what about himself? Honestly, there was a high probability he would be different from the Goto Isamu Director Baek Min desired.
"Seo-yeon."
Director Baek Min then called out to Seo-yeon. It was a question asking if she was ready to act.
"I've memorized the entire script. Any scene is fine."
"Then, let's go with Scene 147."
S# 147.
That scene featured the character Seo-yeon played—another 'Lady.' It was the episode where 'Kasugayama Yuina' and her servant, 'Goto Isamu,' have an argument. More precisely, it was the part where Yuina is betrayed by Goto Isamu, whom she had trusted.
It was a scene where incredibly intense emotions were exchanged, but it contained many elements that were not easy to pull off in an audition. First of all, looking at the scene, there was a part where objects were thrown, and it was mixed with actions utilizing various props.
Could they suddenly escalate their emotions to this level? It was a scene that prompted such doubts.
"For an audition, wouldn't it be better to start with more everyday acting?"
"Scene 147 feels a bit too excessive for this..."
Even the others began to voice their concerns. However, Director Baek Min had already made up his mind on Scene 147, and he didn't budge.
"Is it alright with you, Mr. Lee Sang-soo?"
"It's fine with me. I received the script a while ago."
He hadn't even bothered to bring the script with him. He had already memorized the whole thing.
"Then, let's begin immediately."
At Director Baek Min's word, the staff members present took their respective places. As they stood at their stations, it was a professional sight, as if they were actually filming. If they were just wearing the proper costumes, it looked as though they could start shooting right then and there.
"Please begin."
Not "Action," but Director Baek Min's calm words. That alone signaled that this was an audition, not an actual shoot.
Now then.
Lee Sang-soo looked at the young actress standing before him. Kasugayama Yuina, was it? A role of a lady with a sharp impression. She fit the image perfectly. As a villain, she was more than capable of being at the forefront.
Of course, the true villain was Goto Isamu, who manipulated Yuina. Today's Scene 147 was the content where that twist was revealed.
As she becomes entangled with the protagonist, 'Yeon Seon-ye,' Yuina's heart gradually begins to change. The very fact that the protagonist, Yeon Seon-ye, ended up working as a maid—the fact that she even harbored the intent to enter 'Amanabi Michiko's' household as a maid—was all due to Kasugayama Yuina's orders.
However, at the same time, she realizes that it wasn't just Yuina, but that Goto Isamu had also spoken to her privately. Goto Isamu had induced her to betray Michiko and to betray Yuina.
Through this, she realizes that he intended to take not only the Amanabi family's fortune but also all of the Kasugayama assets for himself. She discovers that the man who had worked as a butler since her childhood was not actually Goto Isamu, but 'Amanabi Isamu.'
Yes, now Goto Isamu was revealing the whole truth to the young lady who had come to press him for answers. Because he had already obtained everything he wanted.
"My Lady."
Lee Sang-soo—no, Goto Isamu—smirked. His aged face twisted despicably. It was mean-spirited, yet it didn't feel petty. It was the kind of smile a demon might wear after manipulating a person to his will for a long time.
At that smile, the faces of those on set turned to shock. They felt that Lee Sang-soo's acting was far from dead.
"Indeed, what difference does it make if you find out now?"
Goto Isamu fumbled in his pocket and pulled something out. It was something small enough to fit in his palm. Based on the shape, one could only assume it was a key. Of course, since no props were prepared, they could only guess.
Everyone watching the performance focused on the actions of 'Goto Isamu,' not Lee Sang-soo. It was natural. Everyone watched his acting in admiration.
However, Director Baek Min merely watched his acting while calmly jotting something down.
Has the failure in Hollywood left a scar?
Lee Sang-soo had originally played many memorable roles like 'Goto Isamu' due to his strong impression. However, Lee Sang-soo always had a specific character type. When Lee Sang-soo appeared, there was an image he carried. A perception. A set frame.
It felt as though this 'Goto Isamu' was ultimately staying within that frame. No, rather, he wasn't even showing those strengths properly. It was because the wounds he received in Hollywood remained as scars upon him.
He was worse than before. That was Director Baek Min's evaluation.
I wonder about Seo-yeon.
However, it would be a pressure not easily handled by a young actress. Above all, wasn't Lee Sang-soo an actor Seo-yeon had personally introduced? Therefore, Seo-yeon couldn't help but feel burdened. If things didn't go well, she might end up in Lee Sang-soo's bad graces.
While everyone's eyes were focused on her, Seo-yeon quietly waited for Lee Sang-soo's line to end.
"Still, isn't this for the best? You wanted to see the Master so badly; now you'll finally be able to meet him."
At Goto Isamu's chuckling words, Seo-yeon—
And Kasugayama Yuina's expression changed. Her expressionless face shifted, her eyes filling with rage. That sequence of emotional change was so startlingly dramatic that Lee Sang-soo, who was about to deliver his next line, momentarily stopped.
He flubbed his line. It was a mistake significant enough for that expression to be used. Yet, even that felt strangely natural.
"Isamu. You had best shut your mouth this instant."
Yuina's low voice—a voice laced with hatred—cut through the set.