Chapter 147
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: A Different Kind of Role
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With his appearance in the public service announcement confirmed, Seojun headed to the Library of Life to find a suitable ability.
Normally, he would have looked for an ability suited for acting, but this time was different. There was a message he wanted to convey. And he wanted it to remain powerfully etched in the children's memories.
“After all, I died in an accident in my first life.”
It wasn't a fire, but the unexpected accident had taken so much from him.
Even as a grown adult in his first life, he had felt regret and anger. How much more regret would children who lost their lives in accidents feel, and how much pain would their parents endure?
‘Mom and Dad would be the same.’
Seojun's eyes slowly began to burn. Just imagining his mom and dad sobbing brought tears to his eyes.
He couldn't prevent all accidents, but if it was one where even a child could escape, he wanted to help them do so without panicking.
Sniff. Seojun, sniffling, recalled a tribe he vaguely remembered.
“Of course, it won't work on everyone...”
It was a shame it wasn't a top-tier ability that would work 100% on everyone, but Seojun decided to do his best even with a mid-low grade one.
“The Moss Tribe.”
Standing before the Moss Tribe's bookshelf, Seojun began to choose a book.
The Moss Tribe had no written language. Their history was passed down solely by word of mouth. This gradually stimulated the Moss Tribe's memory, eventually turning it into an ability.
There were several types of Moss memory abilities: a photographic memory, a memory that could never be forgotten like a scar, and even a memory technique at the level of brainwashing that affected daily life.
Of course, that one was in the Library of Evil.
Seojun chose one of them.
“This is it.”
[(Good) Moss Tribe's Associative Memory - Mid-Low Grade]
This is the Moss Tribe's associative memory method.
Memories are triggered based on the activation conditions.
Activation Conditions:
Associative memory. It was a method that didn't affect daily life but used specific objects, words, or thoughts to trigger other memories.
“Activation conditions: fire, smoke, emergency bell.”
[(Good) Moss Tribe's Associative Memory - Mid-Low Grade]
This is the Moss Tribe's associative memory method.
Memories are triggered based on the activation conditions.
Activation Conditions: Fire, smoke, emergency bell.
Seojun smiled, tracing the ability's crest etched in the center of his forehead.
Now, children affected by the [(Good) Moss Tribe's Associative Memory] ability would automatically recall the PSA or Seojun's performance whenever they encountered 'fire, smoke, or an emergency bell.'
“Just knowing the method will be enough for them to escape.”
It was a mid-low grade ability, so he didn't know how many people watching the ad would be affected, but Seojun prayed.
Please, let this ability work on as many people as possible.
* * *
On the set.
While Kim Soohan was checking the set and cameras, the guardian of Kim Hanseok, the child actor playing Role B, approached him.
“Excuse me...”
“Yes?”
“Aren't you Director Kim Soohan, by any chance?”
“Uh... Yes. That's me.”
A dazed Kim Soohan managed a nod. At his reply, the guardian's face lit up as they spoke.
“Congratulations on your film festival award.”
“Yes, thank you. But how did you know?”
“There were tons of articles and photos when you won the award. Plus, you're actor Jin Natra's first fan.”
“Ah. Right.”
Watching Kim Soohan scratch his cheek, the staff and the guardians of Kim Jukyung, the child actor for Role C, searched on their phones.
It's true. Director Kim Soohan! Jin Natra's first fan! Hearing the whispers from all around, Director Park Jungwoo chuckled.
“Excuse me...”
“Yes.”
Kim Hanseok's guardian lowered their voice.
“By any chance, are you planning any new projects?”
Aha.
So this was the real reason. Kim Soohan gave an awkward smile.
‘It wasn't like he'd never met people like this before.’
When he was known as Jin Natra's first fan, the reactions were just envy, but after Kim Soohan won an award as a director at last year's film festival, people like this started appearing one by one.
They usually fell into one of three categories.
First, investors and production companies who thought that since he had a connection to Jin Natra—that is, Lee Seojun—there was a chance Seojun might appear in his work.
Second, actors who, for the same reason, wanted to appear alongside Seojun in a potential project.
And third, child actors and their guardians hoping to land the title of 'The Child Actor Chosen by Director Kim Soohan, the Man Who Discovered Jin Natra' by appearing in his film.
The third category was because of an article that came out during the university student film festival.
An article that had generated a ton of clickbait with the headline: [Who is the Child Actor Chosen by Director Kim Soohan, the Man Who Discovered Jin Natra?]
‘But there weren't even any child actors in my movie...’
Regardless of the content, the article's view count was massive. It ended with the conclusion, <Wouldn't the child actor in a film by Director Kim Soohan, who discovered Jin Natra, have potential similar to actor Lee Seojun?>, though the comments section was filled with nothing but curses.
‘This person must be the third type.’
Kim Soohan said to the guardian, who was staring at him with an expectant gaze.
“I'm not planning any new projects yet.”
“Well, if you ever need a child actor, please give us a call. Our Hanseok is a very good actor.”
“Yes, I will.”
After Kim Hanseok's guardian handed him a business card and left, Kim Jukyung's guardian, who had been waiting for a chance to cut in, quickly approached Kim Soohan and offered their card as well.
“You're popular, Director Kim Soohan.”
“...Hyung. Should I tell Seojun? About you pulling strings?”
“H-how about I buy you some chicken?”
Having successfully extorted two chickens from Park Jungwoo, Kim Soohan watched the guardians pointing at him and explaining something to their children. Unaware that the real star was about to arrive, they looked so peaceful.
Just then, the planning team leader, who had been looking around the set, caught the eye of Park Jungwoo and Kim Soohan as he looked at his phone, startled, and answered a call.
“...He's here.”
Watching the back of the planning team leader as he headed out of the studio, those who knew about Seojun's appearance swallowed hard, trying to calm their pounding hearts.
* * *
Having received a call from An Daho, the planning team leader of the ad agency, Cloud, welcomed Seojun and An Daho.
Even while greeting them, the team leader couldn't take his eyes off the superstar, Lee Seojun. Suppressing the urge to ask for an autograph, he guided the two onto the set.
“This is our director, Mr. Park Jungwoo.”
“Hello. I'm Lee Seojun.”
As Seojun bowed deeply, Director Park Jungwoo, flustered, bowed back without thinking.
For Park Jungwoo, whose entire career consisted of winning a few awards at independent film festivals, this was his first time meeting a star—a superstar, at that. His heart pounded wildly.
‘Honestly, who here wouldn't be like this their first time...’
Even the employees at Cloud who knew of Seojun's appearance were loitering around the set, making excuses about needing to help with something.
No. There was one person. Someone who had heard that performance firsthand. It was Kim Soohan, standing next to Park Jungwoo.
Kim Soohan stood there awkwardly. Should he tell Seojun that he was Jin Natra's first fan, or not?
Honestly, Kim Soohan wanted to tell him. He wanted to say how happy he was that they were filming together like this.
‘Is that a little weird?’
Just as Park Jungwoo was about to introduce the awkwardly standing Kim Soohan,
“Oh. You're Soohan-hyung, right?”
Seojun asked with a bright smile. Kim Soohan and the others, never imagining that his favorite actor would recognize him, stared at Seojun in astonishment.
Seojun had also been surprised by the familiar face. After hearing he'd become a film director, he figured they might meet someday, but it happened sooner than he expected and in a place he never would have guessed. He hadn't thought they'd meet on the set of a PSA. It was a strange and wonderful connection.
“How did you know?”
“I saw the photos from your film festival award. Congratulations on winning the Gold Prize. You can speak comfortably with me.”
At Seojun's words, Kim Soohan clenched his fists. His chest felt tight, and he wanted to scream. My favorite actor remembers me! I'm so glad I won that award.
“Thanks.”
“Ehehehe.”
The planning team leader introduced the two child actors. Fifth-grader Kim Hanseok and sixth-grader Kim Jukyung, who had been whispering about who would play Role A, had been frozen with their mouths agape ever since Seojun walked onto the set. Their guardians were the same.
My goodness.
They'd come thinking a PSA would be a good line to add to a resume, only to find an unexpected treasure.
‘I thought we were incredibly lucky just to see Director Kim Soohan... but Lee Seojun!’
The child actors from the children's play ‘Spring,’ who had worked with Seojun, were all still steadily active, regardless of their level of success. In that respect, today's shoot, while not on the same scale, would be a huge help to the children's acting careers.
“Hi?”
At Seojun's greeting, the two frozen children quickly spoke up.
“Hi! I'm Kim Jukyung. I'm in sixth grade.”
“I'm in sixth grade, too. It's nice to meet you.”
“Hello! I'm Kim Hanseok, a fifth-grader. Can I call you hyung?”
The two child actors' eyes sparkled. Seojun laughed cheerfully and nodded.
Come to think of it. Seojun and An Daho thought at the same time.
‘This is the first time he's filmed with actors younger than him, isn't it?’
Seeing the respectful gaze in Kim Hanseok's sparkling eyes, Seojun felt a ticklish sensation.
“Let's check the blocking!”
At Kim Soohan's words, the set, which had been buzzing with excitement over Seojun's appearance, gradually settled down.
In the middle of the indoor studio was a set built by the Cloud production team. The setting was a coin karaoke, a popular spot for kids these days.
Coin karaokes were complex, with many rooms, and the sound of singing from all directions could drown out loud noises, making them quite dangerous if an accident were to occur.
Park Jungwoo stood before the child actors and their guardians and began to speak.
“I'll say it again, this smoke is not harmful to the body. We received the same product they use at the Baekho Fire Safety Experience Center. The smell might be unpleasant, but you don't need to worry.”
“Okay!”
The children answered bravely.
“Alright, let's go inside.”
Kim Soohan led the children to the set.
“We'll start in this room.”
“Okay.”
Seojun and the children entered the room and looked around. Coin Karaoke Room 7, with one of its walls completely open, looked just like a drama set. Beyond the open space were the cameras and staff.
After checking their blocking with Kim Soohan, the children ran through their lines along with their movements. Pungent smoke began to rise.
After the rehearsal, while the children were taking a short break, Park Jungwoo tilted his head as he reviewed the footage.
“That's strange.”
“Huh? What is?”
Kim Soohan asked, watching Seojun on the monitor with a pleased expression.
“It's easier to film than I'd prepared for? His acting is good, but it lacks the power of Gray Vainie or Jin Natra.”
“Ah... Now that you mention it, you're right.”
The planning team leader, watching the monitor beside them, agreed. The eyes of the staff and guardians turned to the monitor.
On the screen, the children were trying to figure out how to escape the coin karaoke room, which was beginning to fill with smoke.
He was acting well with the other children, but Seojun's performance wasn't as impressive as expected. Park Jungwoo, who had come in feeling extremely tense, felt a bit let down.
“Was it all just the director's touch?”
“That's not it, Jungwoo-hyung.”
“What?”
Among the nodding people, two did not agree: Lee Seojun's manager, An Daho, and Jin Natra's first fan, Kim Soohan. Kim Soohan spoke without taking his eyes off the monitor.
“You wouldn't say that if you saw Seojun's acting in person, Hyung. This is different from Jin Natra and Gray Vainie. This is a PSA, and the three kids in there are playing ordinary children.”
The others nodded.
“Not a villain with a tragic past or a genius violinist, just a regular elementary school student.”
Kim Soohan's eyes sparkled.
“Isn't that even more amazing? The fact that he can command such a presence, yet completely suppress it for the sake of the work, to the point that you'd think that?”
At Kim Soohan's words, Park Jungwoo and the others turned their gazes to Seojun. Chattering with the other two child actors, Seojun looked just like any other ordinary sixth-grader.
An Daho nodded. He'd thought it before, but the man had good instincts.
‘Even so, it seems he still doesn't really know Seojun.’
Seojun wasn't the type to be satisfied with playing an ordinary child. He would undoubtedly show something special without breaking the character in the script.