Chapter 196:
After attending the Cannes Film Festival,
Jang Sunho, who had dropped
off at ho, spoke calmly at the doorstep.
"Well then, Actor, please rest well. You've worked hard."
"Yes, Manager-nim, you've worked hard too. So, there won't be any specific schedules for a while?"
"For now, that's correct. If any schedules co up, I'll contact you."
"Thank you."
"Yes, then I'll be going."
Jang Sunho nodded slightly, greeted , and closed the door. I imdiately went into the living room and carefully placed the trophy I received at Cannes on the trophy shelf.
"When Manager-nim gave this as a gift, it seed like it would never fill up in my lifeti. But now, it's quite a collection."
Every ti I look at it, I feel proud. The coveted ‘Golden Palm' at the Cannes Film Festival was not received for , but instead, Director Yeo Jaeyoon received the ‘Jury Prize'.
That, too, was a trendous honor, and the dia was in a frenzy. The fact that a Korean filmmaker brought ho two awards from Cannes was truly a miraculous event.
***
The next morning.
After a long ti, sleeping in my bed felt refreshing. The hotel in Cannes was undoubtedly a world-class establishnt, but the ho was still the best.
"I should have breakfast… What should I order for delivery after such a long ti?"
Due to my recent trips to Cannes, for the past few weeks, I have been maintaining Jang Sunho's special green juice and an extrely healthy diet. According to Jang Sunho, it was for "showcasing the best beauty."
Even in Cannes, I had food restrictions under Jang Sunho's strict supervision, so I craved the delivery of food.
Pizza, burgers, chicken, black bean noodles, pig's feet—those kinds of things. Oh, and ran too.
I found my hidden phone under the bed and opened the delivery app.
Unknowingly, I started humming. I wondered why ordering food through a delivery app made
so happy.
"I'll get a burger, so chicken… and I should order tteokbokki too. I'll put the leftovers in the freezer and eat them later."
As I added drinks and side dishes to the cart, just when I was about to press "paynt."
[Jang Sunho, Manager-nim]
A discreet notification popped up at the top of my phone. It felt as if soone was quietly opening the door and scrutinizing
while I secretly snacked in the car, monitoring whether I indulged or not.
Feeling a bit embarrassed for no reason, my finger, about to press "paynt," paused.
"…I should probably answer the call first?"
"Hello?"
[I apologize for bothering you, actor. There's sothing I'd like to discuss.]
"Oh, sure!"
[But is everything okay? Your voice seems a bit shaky.]
"…No, no! I'm perfectly fine."
[…]
After a mont of silence from Jang Sunho, he continued in a composed voice.
[Understood. The reason for contacting you in the morning is regarding your upcoming project, endorsents, and potential variety show appearances. I ntioned yesterday that there wouldn't be any schedules for a while, and we intended to delay these discussions to regulate your condition. However, so opportunities are a bit regrettable to miss.]
"If they're regrettable to miss…?"
[Yes. First, the next project is a film directed by Kang Chanwook. He contacted us last night, saying it's a piece too valuable to let pass. There won't be a separate audition, and if you agree to do it, you'll be cast imdiately. Well, that's sowhat expected, isn't it?]
Although Jang Sunho said it was ‘expected' for
to be cast in a project without an audition, it still didn't feel quite real.
Having appeared in nurous works, received awards, and even attended Cannes with a film based on my script, I have grown into a respectable ‘actor.' However, my heart still resembled the Kang Jinseok of the early twenties, struggling to land even a minor role.
"If it's a film by Director Kang Chanwook, I want to do it. I'm a huge fan of ‘Oldman.'"
"Understood. Still, you need to review the script first; we'll bring it to you later today."
"Yes!"
"Now, regarding the endorsent offer…"
Jang Sunho continued his explanation.
"We've received an exclusive contract proposal from ‘LVHM.' It ca in shortly after you received the award at Cannes. However, we declined it because we had been advertising with Hers, and LVHM and Hers are essentially rival companies."
"Ah… I see."
"But they contacted us again last night… I'd like to know your opinion on it."
"Well, let
think."
While answering, I glanced at the wardrobe. Inside the closed wardrobe were nurous luxury items received when shooting the Hers ad—clothes, bags, and more.
"I don't wear them often, though."
For so reason, I felt a bit reluctant to wear luxury brands. Unless it was a formal occasion, sportswear felt more comfortable.
"Um, Manager-nim."
"Yes?"
"Where is LVHM located? I haven't heard of it."
"…"
Jang Sunho hesitated for a mont and then began to explain in an awkward tone. It seed he was taken aback by my unfamiliarity with the brand.
"Um… LVHM is the world's largest luxury goods company, ranking first in market capitalization on the European stock market."
"Is it such an impressive company?"
"Yes. ‘LV' in ‘Louis Vuitton' represents the company. It's an impressive company that deals not only with clothing but also with beverages, costics, and more."
In my experience, there was nothing Jang Sunho called ‘impressive' other than when he comnted on my acting. However, saying it like this made it clear that it was indeed an extraordinary company.
"But why would such an impressive company want to use ?"
I asked that to myself.
Jang Sunho asked with a subtle tone.
"Actor, are you curious about why such an impressive company would want to use you?"
"…"
"Seems like I hit the mark."
Whether it was my mood or not, I could faintly hear Jang Sunho's sigh through the phone.
"As I've ntioned before, you need to more firmly recognize your value. Your mobile phone, the car you drive, the food you eat—everything becos an issue. Thanks to that, this ti, even President Oh Haneul recognized you as the representative of the entire OS Group… Anyway, you understand, right?"
"Um… yes. I understand."
"While your answer is sowhat uncertain, it bothers
a bit, but if I guide you consistently, it should get better. Returning to the main point, your opinion is crucial for this advertisent. The contract with Hers is about to expire, so partnering with LVHM poses no problem. However, your decision is important in terms of advertising shooting or schedule adjustnts. And keeping loyalty to Hers by rejecting LVHM is also…"
"I see."
After a brief response, I asked Jang Sunho.
"Manager-nim, in your opinion, which one do you think I should go with?"
"My opinion is less important than yours. Still, since you asked, financially, LVHM would be more advantageous. Of course, Hers is also a giant company, but it's weaker than LVHM in terms of finance. However, in terms of advertising shoots or schedule adjustnts, Hers would be better. Also, to maintain loyalty with Hers, rejecting LVHM is…"
In response to my short question, Jang Sunho explained the pros and cons of the two companies for almost 10 minutes. Honestly, I understood the first few sentences, but as it went on, the specialized terms beca difficult for
to comprehend.
However, I could understand the essence.
Despite the elaborate explanations, it sohow felt like I had co back to square one, but it might be due to my mood.
After explaining for a while, Jang Sunho asked .
"Now, Actor, which one will you choose?"
I found myself in a position to choose between two of the world's top fashion brands.
After discussing the upcoming project and endorsent, Jang Sunho proceeded to talk about an opportunity for a variety show. Although variety show participation felt sowhat less weighty compared to the previous two matters, it was still important enough for Jang Sunho to personally inform . This variety show was sothing I genuinely wanted to participate in.
***
"Ah, hello! I'm PD Seo Hyunwook! It's truly an honor that Actor Kang Jinseok responded to our program's invitation and even ca here personally!"
In the eting room of BDD Broadcasting Station, PD Seo Hyunwook introduced himself as such, bowing at a 90-degree angle and extending his hands to hand
his business card.
I reciprocated by bowing similarly to receive the business card. Not to mock Seo Hyunwook or anything, but he was being so polite that I felt I should reciprocate in the sa manner.
"Haha… No, thank you for the offer. I enjoy watching ‘.' As far as I know, this is your first program, and it's truly impressive."
"Y-you enjoy watching my show?"
"Yes."
Upon my response, the writers and production staff, who had been watching the situation from behind, started playfully hitting each other, saying, "He's watching ours!" As they made a commotion, Seo Hyunwook looked back at them and restrained his subordinates.
At that mont, Jang Sunho, who was sitting beside , cleared his throat and ventilated the situation.
"Ahem. PD-nim, as you may know, Actor Kang Jinseok just returned from Cannes the day before yesterday. So, he's still in a state of considerable fatigue, and I'd appreciate it if we could conclude the eting quickly. I intended to co alone, but Actor Kang insisted on eting you in person, so I brought him along."
"R-right! I understand. First, what we are planning with Kang Jinseok is—!"
Seo Hyunwook continued his explanation, showing
his tablet.
" is a variety show where actors and idols travel to observe local reactions.
While the main item is ‘local reactions,' as it is a travel variety show, they carefully select places to introduce not only well-known tourist attractions but also lesser-known ones.
"Well, I am looking forward to that."
While I was having various thoughts, Jang Sunho and Seo Hyunwook quickly adjusted the schedule. Since I had expressed my willingness to participate before coming to the eting, Jang Sunho was efficiently managing the schedule.
"So, let's proceed like this!"
Seo Hyunwook, who had been chatting with Jang Sunho for a while, spoke in a cheerful voice. Judging by his expression, it seed like he hadn't expected
to be so proactive.
And thus, my appearance on " was decided.
Reviews
All reviews (0)