Chapter 324
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 324
Chapter Title: A Meeting of Stars
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From 0-Years-Old to Superstar Chapter 324
[Actor Lee Seojun, Actor Kim Jongho Depart the Country!]
[Actor Kim Jongho Takes His First Step into Hollywood!]
[Filming for ‘Survivors’ to Begin?]
-Just reading the departure articles is making me nervous haha
=22 Have a great shoot!
=333 I hope we see more and more Korean actors like this!
-Looks like we have another Hollywood actor to welcome ‘back home’!
=I don't know. We'll have to see if he lands any other Hollywood films.
=There's always one cynic.
After a long flight, Seojun, Kim Jongho, and their managers got into a car sent by a Kings Agency employee who had come to pick them up.
An Daho and Kim Jongho’s manager, Im Jangwoo, checked the articles on Korean portal sites and the messages from their company.
“Mr. Jongho. Jiseok just messaged you.”
At Seojun's words, Kim Jongho turned on his phone.
>Lee Jiseok: Did you arrive?
>Park Dohun: It’s still crazy over here haha
>Lee Dajin: Where are you staying? A hotel?
At Lee Dajin’s message, Kim Jongho had a sudden thought and asked Seojun.
“Come to think of it, I never asked where we’re staying. Seojun, which hotel is it? Is it close to the set?”
When Seojun had suggested they stay at the same place, Kim Jongho, who had liked the hotel recommended by Kings Agency during the audition, had simply nodded, thinking, ‘Kings Agency knows best.’
“Oh, it’s not a hotel. I rented a house.”
“...You rented a house?”
Only after arriving in LA did he learn the nature of their accommodations, and Kim Jongho’s eyes widened.
“Yes. It’s cheaper and more comfortable to rent a house than to stay in a hotel for a long time.”
Slightly surprised by Seojun’s words, Kim Jongho stroked his chin.
“A house would be more comfortable, but won’t it be a bit cramped?”
“It’s a two-story house, so it should be fine. Would you like to see a picture?”
Seojun showed Kim Jongho a photo of the house he had received from Kings Agency. Both Kim Jongho and his manager, Im Sangwoo, marveled at the two-story mansion with a garden, which looked like something out of a movie.
“The security is tight, and there’s a car too. Mr. Sangwoo, you have an international driver’s license, right?”
“I got one for the audition last time.”
Im Sangwoo said with a gentle smile.
“Though it was useless since the Kings Agency staff drove us around.”
“Then since you can drive, you can go sightseeing on days off from filming.”
“Actually, I was looking at the schedule Kings Agency sent, and it seems like we’ll have a lot of free time. That’s why I brought this book.”
Im Sangwoo grinned and pulled out the travel guide (California edition) he had packed.
Judging by the highlighted sections and stickers everywhere, he seemed to be looking forward to it a great deal.
“I hear Hollywood usually sticks to the schedule, right?”
At Im Sangwoo’s question, An Daho nodded.
“Yes. Unless there’s a major issue with the weather, they generally adhere strictly to the schedule. They’re very thorough in that regard.”
“That’s good. In Korea… it’s gotten better recently, but back in the day, directors would film whenever they felt like it.”
As Im Sangwoo spoke with a shudder, An Daho grew interested. Perhaps because Im Sangwoo had been a manager longer than him, he found himself naturally listening in.
“Mr. Jongho. If you ever crave Korean food, just let me know. I know all the best spots in LA.”
At Seojun’s words, Kim Jongho smiled and nodded.
“That soft tofu stew place we went to during the audition was delicious.”
“Right? It’s really good there.”
As they talked, they quickly arrived at the house. It was a large mansion, exactly like the one in the picture.
While Kim Jongho and Im Sangwoo were in awe, Seojun, An Daho, and the agency employee calmly unloaded the luggage from the car. It was big, but smaller than Aunt Nara’s mansion.
After unloading all the luggage, the Kings Agency employee opened the door to the mansion and said.
“There’s a caretaker who lives on-site, so you don’t have to worry about security. The first floor is empty except for the caretaker’s room, so you can use any of the rooms. There’s also a car in the garage, so feel free to use it.”
The employee, who had helped the four of them move the luggage inside, asked.
“Oh, what would you like to do for dinner? There’s a Korean restaurant nearby, so if I get takeout now, you can eat it while it’s still warm.”
At the Kings Agency employee's suggestion, Kim Jongho stroked his chin in thought for a moment before nodding.
“If we sleep now, we’ll be out for a long time. Should we get a bite to eat first?”
“That sounds good.”
Seojun and the two managers agreed with Kim Jongho.
While they each chose a room and unpacked, the Kings Agency employee returned with bags full of food. The variety and taste of the dishes satisfied all four of them.
* * *
After adjusting to the time difference and waiting for the first day of filming, Kim Jongho was touring LA with his manager, Im Sangwoo. Having been together for so long, their tastes were similar, and they seemed to want to visit the same places.
Kim Jongho asked if Seojun wanted to join, but Seojun, having visited LA so often, shook his head.
An Daho approached Seojun, who was doing his school homework in his room.
“A meeting with the main cast?”
“Yes. They’re asking what you think about the actors and the director getting together. I guess they want to get to know each other before filming starts.”
Seojun nodded.
“That makes sense. I only know Davis.”
He had spoken to Milan Chelan very briefly at an awards ceremony, but he had never met Vanessa Olson or Andrew Walker, with whom he would be appearing.
“I’ll accept, then.”
“Okay.”
After An Daho left, Seojun, who had been looking at a math problem, spun his pen and recalled a memory. Come to think of it, he had met with Director Ryan, Evan, and Richel before filming *Shadowman 2* as well.
Hoping this would be another good meeting, Seojun focused back on his math problem.
* * *
Today was the first meeting for the main cast and director of *Survivors*.
The five actors and Director Jeffrey had decided to talk over a meal.
Davis Garrett, having left home with plenty of time to spare, arrived at the restaurant earlier than the scheduled time. When he gave the name ‘Bearound,’ a staff member guided him to a table inside.
There were already people in the private room.
Director Jeffrey, Milan Chelan, a child, and a man who appeared to be the child’s guardian were seated.
“Everyone’s early.”
“Welcome, Davis.”
“Davis. It’s been a while.”
Director Jeffrey stood up to greet Davis Garrett. Milan Chelan also shook his hand. Davis Garrett and Milan Chelan had worked on a movie together before.
“Hello! I’m Andrew Walker!”
The energetic greeting from Andrew Walker made Davis Garrett and Milan Chelan chuckle.
They had caught the flicker of disappointment on Andrew Walker’s face when the door opened and Davis Garrett walked in a moment ago. He was still a child, unable to completely hide the faint emotions that showed on his face.
Still, the disappointment vanished quickly, which meant he must be quite a fan of Davis Garrett as well.
“Hmm. My pride is a little hurt.”
Redbone, the most popular hero, whispered, and Milan Chelan, sitting next to him, smiled.
“It was the same when I came in.”
“Really? I think I have a good idea of who he’s waiting for, though.”
Davis Garrett and Milan Chelan chuckled and looked at Andrew.
Andrew Walker’s attention was fixed on the door.
He sat perfectly still, like a dog that had been told to ‘stay.’ Seemingly used to this, Andrew’s father, sitting beside him, was chatting with Director Jeffrey.
“Our team will prepare the costumes, so there’s no need for you to bring any clothes.”
“I see. What happens if Andy gets sick?”
Andrew Walker stared only at the door, while Davis Garrett and Milan Chelan made small talk.
A moment later, there was a knock on the door.
Simultaneously, Andrew Walker’s shoulders tensed up. His chubby cheeks flushed red, and his eyelids didn't move. It seemed he had even stopped breathing. The adults stifled their laughter at the sight.
“Hello.”
The person who opened the door was a woman.
Disappointed once again that it wasn't the actor he was waiting for, Andrew straightened his slumping shoulders and greeted her politely. Davis Garrett and Milan Chelan snickered.
“I’m Vanessa Olson. It’s so wonderful to meet you all.”
Vanessa Olson greeted the actors she was meeting for the first time for this film.
“I enjoyed your movie. I look forward to working with you.”
“Thank you!”
She was so nervous to be filming with a world-famous superstar and an Academy Award-nominated actor. After a slightly flushed Vanessa Olson took her seat, Davis Garrett looked around the table and said with a smile.
“Now we just need Jun to get here.”
At the mere mention of the name ‘Jun,’ Andrew’s father chuckled at his son’s reflexive turn of his head.
Speak of the devil, there was another knock.
At the arrival of the long-awaited actor, Andrew Walker fidgeted in his seat.
Seeing this, Vanessa Olson blinked, and Milan Chelan explained in a low voice. Vanessa Olson’s eyes widened, and she let out a small laugh.
“He’s really cute.”
The adults smiled in agreement.
The door soon opened, and the actor Andrew Walker had been waiting for so eagerly appeared.
“Hello!”
At the sight of Seojun Lee’s bright smile, Andrew Walker sucked in a sharp breath. The usually energetic Andrew froze, prompting even Director Jeffrey to smile faintly and speak.
“Welcome, Jun.”
“Hello, Director! And Davis. It’s been a while, Chelan!”
After greeting Director Jeffrey and Davis Garrett, Seojun shook hands with Milan Chelan, whom he hadn't seen in a very long time. Milan Chelan reciprocated the handshake, genuinely pleased to see him.
“Nice to meet you, Olson.”
“Please call me Vanessa. Can I call you Jun?”
“Yes, of course.”
After greeting Vanessa Olson for the first time, Seojun looked at the child standing stiffly beside his chair, moving as if his joints would creak. Excitement and nervousness were written all over the boy's face.
“It’s nice to meet you, Walker.”
Seojun bent his waist slightly to meet Andrew’s gaze and extended his right hand. Andrew Walker took Seojun’s hand with his own trembling one. His heart pounded seeing the actor he had only watched on screen right in front of him.
“Hel-hello! Lee! I’m Andrew Walker! Please call me Andy! It’s my nickname! My mom and dad call me that! And, and…”
He couldn't remember the first impression he had so diligently prepared for today.
What was the first of Jun’s works he had seen, which of Jun’s movies was his favorite, that Jun was a great actor and a wonderful violinist, and that he himself was now learning the violin because of him.
There was a mountain of things he wanted to say, but not a single one came to mind.
“And…”
Andrew, who had a cheerful personality and was good at memorizing scripts and passages from his favorite books, rarely found himself in such a situation. He looked flustered, then slowly began to mumble with his lips.
Seeing Andrew on the verge of tears, his father debated whether to laugh or console him.
The other actors were already shaking with suppressed laughter, finding it adorable that he was crying just from meeting his favorite actor.
Seeing Andrew Walker’s eyes turning red, Seojun knelt on one knee to meet his gaze and sent a warm energy his way. Seojun smiled gently and said.
“Hi, Andy. Is there something you want to tell me?”
At Seojun’s words, Andrew pressed his lips together, held back tears, and nodded.
“Then take your time and think about it. I’ll wait.”
The warm energy slowly calmed Andrew’s heart. As Andrew’s breathing steadied, the adults looked on in surprise. *He’s good with kids, too.* At Davis’s comment, Milan Chelan and Vanessa Olson nodded.
Andrew finally voiced the one thing he wanted to say most out of all his prepared words.
“...Can I call you Jun?”
“Of course. You certainly can.”
The sniffling Andrew’s face, with tears welling in his eyes, broke into a wide smile at Seojun’s words. Seeing his son, a fan whose dreams had come true, his father couldn't help but laugh.
After the greetings, everyone sat down.
Thanks to the unseen hand of the adults, Seojun ended up sitting next to Andrew. Everyone burst into laughter at Andrew's beaming smile.