Chapter 190: |
After arriving at Los Angeles Airport and retrieving my luggage, Jang Sunho guided me to the exit.
"Over here, actor," he said.
Unlike me, Jang Sunho moved without hesitation, as if he had been here several times before.
"When I went to Japan, there were quite a few reporters. I wonder if it'll be the same this time," I thought.
I wasn't particularly expecting it, but still, it would have been nice if people had been waiting for me since I had come to the United States.
However…
"…"
Outside the exit, there was no one.
To be precise, there were many people, but they were all waiting for their acquaintances, not me.
Faced with the temperature difference, I was momentarily bewildered, but I faced reality.
Here, I was a complete rookie.
While and other works on Netflix had achieved considerable success, I, in the end, was a newcomer who had achieved nothing here.
It didn't make me feel bad or uncomfortable.
Instead, it stimulated me.
"It feels like I've returned to being a rookie actor," I thought.
Even now, if I were to be honest, I was still a rookie.
"Actor Kang! Team Leader Jang!"
While I was looking around with various thoughts, a man approached, calling out to me and Jang Sunho.
Jang Sunho lightly raised his hand in response to the man who called him, then moved in that direction.
"Hello! I'm Lee Jaehyun, the manager who will be assisting Actor Kang Jinseok during his U.S. schedule this time."
The man greeted me with a cheerful voice and handed over a plastic bag.
"Team Leader Jang asked me to prepare a lunchbox for you."
A lunchbox!
It was truly a welcome phrase to hear. Of course, I had eaten the ‘special meal' that Jang Sunho had prepared for me on the plane. However, it was a somewhat bland porridge, and to be honest, it didn't taste good. It lacked the savory flavor of regular porridge; it was just like ‘tasting water.'
"Thank you!"
As I graciously accepted the lunchbox, Jang Sunho, as if it wasn't the right time yet, took the lunchbox away, saying, "Let's move by car first. Mr. Lee, did you happen to park the car openly somewhere?"
"I parked it right in front."
The car Lee Jaehyun came in was outside the airport. It was the same type of van I used to ride in Korea.
"Ah, more than that, it's truly an honor to meet you in person like this. I'm a big fan of Actor Kang Jinseok."
Lee Jaehyun said to me as he started the engine.
"Oh, yes! Thank you."
"Oh, I should be the one thanking you. Well then, let's get going."
Our destination was ‘The OS Hotel LA.'
It was a hotel with the same style where I had stayed even in Japan, and the room was truly luxurious.
As soon as we arrived, I sat down at the table and hastily started eating the lunchbox. I was curious about the menu since it was a lunchbox in the United States, but it turned out to be the same as what I would eat in Korea.
During that time, Jang Sunho checked the schedule with Lee Jaehyun.
"According to the schedule I received, today is a day off. You will finish acting rehearsals by the day after tomorrow and then attend auditions, is that correct?"
"Yes, that's right."
"After the audition, will you return immediately?"
"Yes. I can't wait endlessly for the audition results."
"Since you're here, you might as well do some sightseeing. Anyway, I understand. Oh, and didn't Team Leader Jang mention that you have a meeting to attend?"
After glancing at me, Jang Sunho spoke to Lee Jaehyun.
"Yes. I have to meet the head of OS USA. I'll provide you with the details separately."
"Understood. Well then, you must be tired from coming here. I'll take my leave now. Rest well!"
As Lee Jaehyun cheerfully said goodbye and left the room, Jang Sunho also stood up.
"Actor, I'll be in the next room, so if you need anything, please don't hesitate to call."
"Sure."
"And I'll take the snacks the Warehouse Men gave you from your bag. It's called ‘Gyeonmulsengsim.' Since it's visible, you might want to try it."
I pretended not to know, but as expected, Jang Sunho was thorough.
"Then I'll go out."
"Yes…"
That's how Jang Sunho left the room, carrying ramen, beef jerky, pickled fish, and gochujang—foods the middle-aged men had prepared—in both hands.
***
Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office.
There, Prosecutor Lee Minyoung and Ryu Sungho, the director of KL Entertainment 1, were having a serious conversation.
"Firstly, thanks to you, Ryu Sungho, the case is being handled smoothly. The evidence is so clear that at this rate, we might be able to finish all the trials by next year."
"I'm glad I could help."
Unlike when dealing with other suspects, Lee Minyoung treated Ryu Sungho with courtesy.
Although he was involved in criminal activities, he had made efforts to rectify all wrongs, and Lee Minyoung respected his choice.
"And regarding the investigation into Lee Jeongmin that you asked for earlier, we've decided to restart it. However, the case has been a long time, and there isn't much-remaining data. Also, honestly, I'm too busy to handle it all."
"I understand, Prosecutor."
"Thank you. I entrusted the investigation of Lee Jeongmin to a reliable junior. She's a friend who is very interested in the KL Entertainment case and is such a responsible person that she will take full responsibility and reveal the truth to the end."
At Ryu Sungho's words, Lee Minyoung bowed deeply.
"But the problem is…"
Lee Minyoung continued with difficult and vague words.
"The actions you've taken during your 20 years at KL Entertainment are the issue."
"My actions… Are you talking about the things I did assisting President Lee Youngkyung?"
"Yes. Other directors and employees we are currently investigating are stating that ‘Ryu Sungho, Lee Youngkyung's right-hand man, led most of the activities.' This is evident in the evidence you provided as well."
"…"
"Of course, considering that you actively cooperated, making the handling of this case easier, we intend to take that into account and adjust the possible sentence accordingly. However… it seems difficult to avoid imprisonment."
Even with the mention of imprisonment, Ryu Sungho's expression remained unchanged.
"I understand, Prosecutor. Because that's the truth. Regardless of my intentions, I did all the dirty deeds under Lee Youngkyung's orders."
He even showed a faint smile, as if feeling relieved.
"I will accept the consequences of my sins."
Lee Minyoung had a complex expression. She had prosecuted and judged numerous criminals until now, but this was the first time someone readily admitted guilt and expressed willingness to face punishment.
However, the law and principles had to be fair to everyone.
"I understand. Still, I will try to accommodate as much as possible."
With a sigh, Lee Minyoung spoke to Ryu Sungho.
"Thank you."
"Is there anything else I can assist you with?"
Ryu Sungho responded as if he had been waiting for that question.
"Prosecutor, would it be possible for you to place Lee Youngkyung and me in the same prison? It would be perfect if we could share a cell."
Lee Minyoung was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected request.
After quickly regaining her composure, she asked Ryu Sungho, "You want to be in the same prison and even the same cell?"
"Yes. I want to see him rotting away in prison, suffering just like my sister did until she died, in pain and agony."
"…"
"Can you do that for me?"
Lee Minyoung chuckled uncomfortably.
After a moment, she responded with a somewhat uncertain voice, "I can't definitively say which prison you'll go to or how the cell assignments will be made. And, fundamentally, it's discouraged to place convicts involved in the same case in the same space. I'll look into it, but don't get your hopes up too much."
"Just that alone is appreciated."
Ryu Sungho, seeming to have no more to say, leaned back on the chair's armrest. As if almost forgetting, he asked Lee Minyoung,
"Oh, Prosecutor. How is the public opinion regarding Actor Kang Jinseok? It seemed fine before I went to prison."
"The public opinion is really good. He even went to the United States for an audition yesterday."
"If it's an audition in the U.S…. it must be Director James Won."
"You knew?"
"Yes. I've had various interactions with Actor Kang Jinseok and even caused him some difficulties. I've been interested in him."
Ryu Sungho gave a faint bitter smile.
"I hope things go well for him. It might be a long time before I get to see that work."
***
"Actor Kang Jinseok's audition is coming up soon."
Late at night, James Won sipped strong coffee, thinking about Jinseok.
Drinking coffee at this hour would likely make it difficult to sleep. But James Won didn't have much thought for sleep anyway.
Strictly speaking, he was too busy to have time for a good night's sleep.
"Among the actors that auditioned so far, Steve Oh is the one I liked the most. We've worked together on a project before, so it would be convenient to cast him."
But James Won didn't find Steve Oh particularly agreeable.
It wasn't because of Steve Oh's acting abilities; his acting was considered top-notch not only by other Hollywood directors but also by fellow actors.
The reason James Won wasn't satisfied with Steve Oh was because of Jinseok.
"When I saw his acting in Japan, it felt like my eyes were opening anew. There was a divine quality to his performance."
James Won recalled Jinseok's acting that he had secretly observed among the staff in Japan.
It was difficult to express in words, but Jinseok's acting was on a different level from other actors.
His acting not only immersed himself but also drew other actors into the scene. James Won wanted that kind of performance.
"Maybe my standards have become too high."
At that moment, someone knocked on the door.
"Director, it's Kim Hyun."
"Yes, come in."
Kim Hyun entered the room and handed James Won a thick stack of documents.
They were all actor profiles.
"This is the list of actors for the fourth callback. It includes both lead and supporting roles."
A callback generally referred to re-inviting actors who had already been interviewed or auditioned and were deemed suitable for the project.
So, a fourth callback meant they had gone through this process four times.
Yet, there were still so many actors remaining.
It indicated the considerable interest among actors in James Won's upcoming project.
"Even if it takes up to the sixth callback."
James Won chuckled and spoke as he looked at the profiles, then pushed them aside on the desk.
While these roles were important, the most crucial one now was the ‘protagonist,' so he had little concern for the others.
Kim Hyun, looking at Jinseok's profile on James Won's desk, asked, "It seems like you have great expectations for Mr. Kang Jinseok."
"Yes."
After a brief response, James Won tapped Jinseok's profile with his hand and concluded, "I've seen thousands of auditions, but an actor awaited with such anticipation as Kang Jinseok is a first."