I Will Live as an Actor Episode 179
Hong Kong (馿¸¯).
Hong Kong has long been a driving force in Asiaâs film industry.
Perhaps due to the influence of British colonial rule, Eastern and Western cultures harmonized exquisitely and various cultural ideas developed.
Following this development, many masters were born in the film industry, and among them, director Jinyang Wang was called the master of mise-en-scène.
âMr. Jang! Please take a look here!â
Perhaps because it is the return of a master, the red carpet is reminiscent of a film festival.
Werenât barricades erected and even a red carpet installed in front of Hong Kongâs most famous theater?
England is moving forward with his partner, with whom he filmed a movie in Hong Kong. Under the bright spotlight.
âIs that news true? scandal.â
Hong Kong actress Gye Lun-bi (æ¡ç¶¸è²) said with a look of regret. She was an actress who joined forces with England by playing the female lead in director Jinyang Wangâs work Chupungsa (ç§é¢¨è¾).
âDid you really hear about Gyeryunbi?â
âHow could you not know? I donât think I can realize it yet, but Mr. Jang is a very famous actor in Asia. âMr. Jangâs scandal story was already reported as real-time breaking news on TVB.â
âunder⦠⦠.â
I had no idea that the rumor would spread all the way to Hong Kong. Even worse, real-time breaking news.
âThatâs a good thing. âI honestly thought Mr. Jang might like men.â
âyes⦠⦠?â
âItâs like that even when youâre filming. Itâs not something Iâm proud of, but while Iâve been filming so far, Iâve never received an after-sale request from my partner to meet outside of the filming set. But Mr. Jang completely broke that record. âWeâve never had a conversation like this before, other than on set.â
Thatâs something to be proud of.
âDo you love that woman in Korea?â
â⦠⦠!â
âSeeing as you canât answer right away, I guess the scandal article is real. âI feel fortunate that Mr. Jang likes women, but at the same time, Iâm a little jealous.â
The conversation with Gyeryunbi cannot be heard outside due to the noise of the red carpet. Rather, the reportersâ shutters are busy capturing the image of the two young men and women smiling and having a friendly conversation.
At that time, Gyeryunbi put more strength into his folded arms and held England closer.
âI feel a little sad that such a wonderful man fell into the arms of another woman.â
* * *
Meanwhile, Korea was also in turmoil.
Who is Jang Young-guk? Starting from the time he was a child actor until he reached adulthood. He was a young actor who boasted a perfect filmography. Moreover, isnât he an actor who receives various love calls from overseas?
One famous critic even praised him, saying, âIt happens once in a hundred years that an actor like Jang Young-guk is born.â
âhmm⦠⦠.â
SW Entertainment CEO Kim Soo-jin is having a meeting with his agencyâs actress Yeon-soo. Kim Soo-jin looked at Yeon-su with her head down and explained it as if she was sad.
âYou havenât committed a serious crime, so why are you lowering your head like that?â
âThe CEO believed in me and supported me⦠⦠.â
Yeonsuâs words became blurred. Even when I decided to study abroad in New York, it was the representative of my agency who respected my opinion. Even more so, when I reversed my decision to study abroad and decided to focus on my acting career again, he patted me on the shoulder and said I had thought it through.
Actresses are sensitive to scandals. In particular, scandals that break out at a time when an actor, like Yeonsu, is transitioning from a child actor to an adult are literally poisonous.
âYou have to face a blank sheet of paper to hear applause. Do you want to act like a high treason criminal, as if you were the only one at fault? Okay, now let me ask you something. âIs Yeon-soo really like Jang Young-guk?â
âno⦠⦠.â
âNo? âEven if a third party sees the picture of them hugging, they clearly look like lovers, right?â
It really was. In the photo captured by the paparazzi in an entertainment weekly, they looked so affectionate that even a stranger could clearly see that they were in a romantic relationship.
That may be why the powder keg of scandal exploded so loudly.
CEO Sujin Kim taps the desk with her fingers a few times and nods as if she has made a decision.
âThe reason I called Yeonsu aside and asked you this question was. I donât mean to criticize you. Seriously, whatâs wrong with a young man and woman meeting? Itâs natural to date at that age. Rather, it is something to bless. but.â
Kim Soo-jin paused for a moment and elaborated.
âIt is absolutely necessary to check the facts. If our side says we are getting to know each other with goodwill, but Songwon announces that it is unfounded, then what will become of you, Yeonsu? So, I need to talk to Song Won. Let me ask you one last question. âYeonsu, arenât you really dating Jang Young-guk?â
âno⦠⦠.â
âHmm⦠⦠.â
CEO Kim Soo-jin sighed deeply. She knows Yeonsuâs temperament well. After all, it was impossible for him to know that he had been an actor under his company since he was a child actor.
In her judgment, Yeonsu is a bright and active child in everything she does. If there was a scandal with someone I really didnât know, I wouldnât be hanging my head down so helplessly.
* * *
The night view of Hong Kong is beautiful. The colorful lights emanating from numerous skyscrapers dazzle the eyes as if watching fireworks.
On the top floor of the hotel, which is known as the tallest building in Hong Kong, the Chu Fung Temple after-party is in full swing.
The preview was a success. No, it was such a huge success that it would be difficult to express it with the word success.
As soon as the preview was over, film critics not only from Hong Kong but also from all over the world who were invited unanimously praised the film. Whatâs more, it received rave reviews even from people outside of the film industry.
âMr. Zhang, this is Taiwanâs director Li Aiwen. And the person who came with us is Mr. Wang Wei, a porter who is active in China.â
ânice to see you. âMy name is actor Jang Young-guk.â
âI really enjoyed the movie. It was fun to appreciate director Wang Jinyangâs mise-en-scène, but I couldnât take my eyes off Mr. Jang throughout the movie. âIf I get the chance, I would definitely like to work together.â
âthank you. âI am also from the generation that grew up watching director Li Aiwenâs work, so it is an honor for you to say that.â
âI would like to talk more, but Mr. Wang Wei next to me is waiting for his turn. Letâs have a serious talk next time I visit Korea.â
No sooner had Director Li Aiwen finished speaking than Wang Wei, who was next to him, spoke.
âMy name is Wang Wei, and I am working as a small photographer in China.â
To put it simply, he is said to be a master photographer in the world of photography, to the extent that it is said that in Europe there is Giovanni Sponza and in Asia there is Wang Wei.
âI really wanted to see the Korean actor who stole Mr. Sponzaâs heart, but seeing this, I now know why Sponza wanted you so much. If you donât mind, may I ask you for a business card? âI think I have a reason to go to Korea sooner than Director Li Aiwen.â
âOh wait a minute. Because I didnât prepare any business cards. Mr. Jeongbong!â
It was already hard to count how many people there were. Masters from various countries, whom I had never met in my past life, were rushing to offer me a handshake.
Most of them were close friends with Hong Kongâs master director Wang Jinyang. After exchanging greetings with Director Wang Jinyang as if they had made an appointment, they came to England next.
âWow, is this why all the well-to-do people are going to Korea?â
If Lee Bong-chun were here, he would definitely have said this. No matter how much lip service it may be, it is not common for such great artists to say that they will visit Korea as if they had all kissed. It was then.
âMr. Jang.â
The scent of flowers tickles the tip of my nose. When I turned my head, I saw actress Gyeryunbi standing there wearing a bright red dress.
She elaborated, handing England a glass of champagne.
âWould you like to get some air for a moment?â
* * *
The Hong Kong wind blows through the top floor of the skyscraper. On one side of the rooftop garden, England and Gyeryunbi stand together.
âMr. Jang doesnât like these banquets, right?â
âI donât like it. However, I am just shocked that so many people came to see me. âIn Korea, the after-party for the premiere is not as grand as this.â
âThere are a lot of refusals in Hong Kong and Macau. People from China, Taiwan, and even Russia who are a bit snivelled gather here. After the preview screening in Hong Kong, there is always a grand after-party like this. âItâs hard to get used to at first.â
âMr. Gyeryunbi, parties seem to be very suited to you, donât you?â
âWhat are you talking about?â
Gyeryunbi raised both arms, straightened his sallow shoulders, and continued speaking.
âI hate parties like this too. However, after experiencing it several times, I got used to it. In my mind, I just want to half-immerse my body in warm water and drink a beer. âReally.â
England started laughing without realizing it. Thatâs because it was very cute to see an actress who is considered one of the best in Hong Kong hurriedly defending and explaining what she said.
âMr. Jang looked very distressed, so I brought him out. âGet some air.â
âIs it that bad on my face?â
âNo, heâs such a genius at managing facial expressions. The host of the party was Director Wang Jinyang, but you may not know it, but the main character of this party was Mr. Jang. It was amazing. I see him having such a leisurely conversation with great masters whose names alone can be daunting. If it were any other actor, he would have been dragged around by the masters while drenched in cold sweat by now. But look, Mr. Jang is polite but confident as if we are equals.â
âDid I do that?â
England didnât know how he appeared to others. I was just behaving as usual, but I think that made me look confident and not discouraged even in front of the greats.
âBut Iâm sure itâs not the party thatâs bothering Mr. Jang right now. I guess itâs because of the person in Korea?â
âGyeryunbi, if he hadnât become a movie actor, I think he would have become a fortune teller. thatâs right. Since she is a young actress, I am worried about what will happen to the current scandal. Moreover, the scandal is not true.â
Gyeryunbi lifts a glass of champagne, moistens his mouth and looks at England.
âItâs not true?â
The colorful lights of the skyscraper are projected onto the champagne glass and shine. England nodded briefly in response to Gyeryunbiâs question again.
âI felt it right from the filming location of Mr. Jang, but Mr. Jang has a strong tendency not to reveal his feelings too much. Thatâs an excellent method for business relationships. Since you canât read their mind, the other person will be more nervous. However, if you donât reveal your feelings like that even in a relationship, there are only two cases. âHe is either a very flirtatious man or a man who has never been in a relationship.â
â⦠⦠.â
âIn my opinion, Mr. Jang is the latter. At first, I thought he was a playboy just based on his appearance, but after talking to him today, I found out for sure. Iâm very worried about her in Korea right now, right? Opportunities donât come often. Especially when it comes to love. so.â
Gyeryunbi elaborated, smiling faintly like the wind in Hong Kong.
âPlease donât hide your feelings.â