Chapter 198: |
Whenever I go abroad, I tie my stay to ‘THE OS HOTEL.'
In the suite room of that hotel in Los Angeles, I enjoyed the night view outside the window.
"Director Spielberg's work might fit in here."
Recalling the meeting with Director Spielberg a little while ago, I leaned closer to the window. The faint chill felt on the tip of my nose from the glass.
The cityscape looked even clearer.
"I never knew I could live like this."
When I was younger, or more precisely when I hadn't yet landed the right role, I couldn't even imagine living this kind of life.
But since winning the role, my life has started to change rapidly and decisively.
"I wonder how the others are doing."
"Let's start by contacting Manager Park Jinsoo."
***
"···Now, the next agenda is about strengthening the differentiation of our brand image from competing companies. Currently, our Maserati-."
Maserati Korea branch meeting room.
The meeting, which had started early in the morning, continued even after lunchtime.
Manager Park Jinsoo, sipping water, received a call on his mobile phone while watching the employee's presentation.
Although the principle during meetings was to keep phones on silent, he occasionally set his to vibrate because important calls could come through to him as the branch manager.
"I'm sorry, please continue."
"Yes."
When the presenter hesitated upon feeling the vibration of his mobile phone, Park Jinsoo gestured for him to continue and check his phone.
[Actor Kang Jinseok]
[Hello, Manager Park Jinsoo. It's been a while since we last talked. How have you been? The reason for reaching out like this is simply to ask how you're doing. In case you're busy and wondering why I contacted you…]
Reading the message, Park Jinsoo let out a light chuckle.
"This friend truly has a unique personality."
He and Jinseok had known each other for quite some time. They had a rough start when they first met, but they quickly reconciled.
His life had changed since meeting Jinseok. Of course, there had been efforts on his part before, to make this transformation possible. However, if he hadn't met Jinseok, he might still be regretting his past alone in a crumbling rooftop room.
"It's been a while; maybe I should give him a call. Since he sent a text."
With a light smile, Park Jinsoo said, "Hold on. It's getting late, and we've all been working hard. Let's grab some lunch. Assistant Manager Woo, your presentation was excellent. We'll continue after the meal."
"Oh, yes! Thank you!"
Assistant Manager Woo, unexpectedly praised by the branch manager, nodded deeply. Then, Park Jinsoo stood up from his seat and spoke in a pleasant tone.
"I have some personal matters to attend to today, so I'll have my meal separately. Please enjoy your lunch, and let's reconvene at three."
"Yes!"
As Park Jinsoo heard the employees' responses, he headed out of the meeting room. After that, he began dialing Jinseok's number.
"Hello?"
***
"Manager Park Jinsoo seems to be doing well."
Not long after I sent the text, Park Jinsoo called. I felt a bit surprised that he contacted me so quickly, but it was still nice to hear his voice after a while.
"Now, who's next… Should I contact Professor?"
It's not a boast, but I know a few professors. While most of them teach acting, there's also Professor Kim Minhan from the medical school.
Deciding to contact Kim Minhan later, I first decided to reach out to the acting professor and Yeomi's father, Professor Kim Seunghyun.
***
Kim Seunghyun, Professor at Seoguk University's research lab.
"The next lecture is… it seems to be in Room 301 of the Arts Building."
Kim Seunghyun, who was having a light snack before the lecture, stood up from his seat with a tablet containing lecture materials. Although there was still sometime before the lecture, he had the habit of arriving 20 minutes early to prepare for the class, not to burden the students but to take a moment to catch his breath and get ready.
Having been standing at the lectern for over 20 years, Kim Seunghyun still felt excited and nervous before every lecture.
"No, it's not that. Ever since meeting that student, I've been feeling excited and nervous again."
After his daughter's death, it had been challenging for Kim Seunghyun to teach, as he would see glimpses of his daughter in every student. However, meeting Jinseok had alleviated much of that burden. The vanished burden was replaced with anticipation, interest, and joy.
"Come to think of it, Kang Jinseok, it seems like he's auditioning for a new production these days."
Though not currently appearing in productions or directing, Kim Seunghyun, having spent a long time in the acting world, has a broad network. According to the stories circulating, Jinseok seemed to have auditioned for a work by Kang Chanwook, one of Korea's leading directors.
"He's the most successful case among my taught students."
Strictly speaking, Kim Seunghyun hadn't directly taught him anything. With these thoughts in mind, Kim Seunghyun entered the classroom.
Several students were already seated, and they greeted him as he entered.
"Hello, Professor!"
"Hello. Have you all had your meals?"
"Yes!"
As they exchanged light greetings, Kim Seunghyun connected his tablet to the screen. His tablet started to appear on the screen.
But at that moment…
Ding!
A KakaoTalk notification popped up on the screen.
[Actor Kang Jinseok]
[Hello, Professor. It's been a while since we last talked. The reason for reaching out like this is…]
One student, who had been absentmindedly staring at the screen, exclaimed, "Huh?" A nearby student, curious about the sound, looked at the screen and uttered a similar word.
"Huh?"
"Hmm?"
"Huh?"
And the confusion wasn't limited to just the students.
Kim Seunghyun, who received a message from Jinseok, was also quite surprised.
"Actor Kang Jinseok contacting me?"
Of course, it wasn't the first time Jinseok had reached out. Whenever there was a significant event or an award ceremony, he would always get in touch. Considering how busy he must be receiving calls from other acquaintances, it was both appreciative and fascinating for him to contact a seemingly uneventful professor like himself.
"What could be the matter?"
However, it wasn't common for him to contact me just to ask how things were.
Kim Seunghyun quickly checked the KakaoTalk. For a moment, he forgot that his screen was visible to the students.
[Actor Kang Jinseok]
[Hello, Professor. It's been a while since we last talked. The reason for reaching out like this is… I had a meeting with Director Spielberg in the U.S. today. I'll get in touch again when I return to Korea.
Best regards,
Kang Jinseok]
It was just a contact to ask how he was doing.
Kim Seunghyun, after quickly checking the KakaoTalk, let out a sigh of relief.
"He had a meeting with Director Spielberg. As expected, he's on a different level as an actor."
Indeed, a talent like Jinseok was more than qualified to meet such a renowned director.
"Well, he's doing well, and I appreciate him reaching out. A simple reply should suffice…"
As Kim Seunghyun was about to casually reply to the message, he felt an intense gaze directed straight at him.
When he looked ahead, he noticed that the students were looking at him with more sparkling eyes than ever before.
Although no one said anything, the meaning behind their gazes was clear — it was admiration. The students were sending infinite respect to Kim Seunghyun, who was being asked about Jinseok's well-being.
With an awkward smile, feeling the fervent admiration that was usually hard to perceive, Kim Seunghyun asked, "Do you all like Actor Kang Jinseok?"
In response to his question, the students nodded in unison, as if to say, "Isn't that an obvious question?"
"Yes!"
"I want his autograph!"
"Professor, can't you just make one call for us?!"
Facing the students' pouring questions, Kim Seunghyun nodded.
"Yes, it seems to be Spielberg, and as for the call, well, I'm not sure. It looks like Kang Jinseok is currently in the U.S., so it might be late at night there."
Kim Seunghyun raised his head. No matter how well he was treated as a professor, calling late at night was not only impolite but considering Jinseok's status, it felt inappropriate.
"It seems that a call might be difficult. He's probably busy, and it's getting close to the time for the lecture."
Kim Seunghyun continued, "Well… should we give it a try?"
It seemed that Kim Seunghyun also wanted to have a conversation with Jinseok, as he changed his statement.
***
[Professor Kim Seunghyun]
Not long after I sent the KakaoTalk message, a call came in.
"He's calling?"
After a few fake coughs to clear my voice, I picked up the call.
"Yes, Professor. I answered your call. If you're busy and I bothered you, I apologize."
"No, not at all. Thank you for getting in touch. You're in the U.S. right now?"
"Yes, I just finished a meeting."
"You must be tired. But more importantly…"
Kim Seunghyun trailed off, then cautiously asked, "We're currently in the lecture hall, and the students would like to hear Actor Kang's voice. Would that be okay?"
"In the lecture hall? Were you in the middle of a class by any chance?"
[Oh, no. We haven't started the lecture yet.]
Thankfully, I hadn't interrupted a class.
"Sure, it's fine."
[Thank you. I'll switch to speakerphone then.]
After Kim Seunghyun spoke, he added, [It's on speakerphone now.]
"Ah, yes. Hello, this is Kang Jinseok. Are you all… my juniors?"
[Wow, insane. He picked up!!]
[Amazing.]
[Sen… senior! Hello! I'm Sunghoon! I'm the guy with yellow hair who drank with you at the pub before!]
I was taken aback by the sudden voices of the students. Then, I heard Professor Kim Seunghyun's composed voice from the other side of the phone.
[Oh, Kang Jinseok, sorry. They're all just excited right now.]
"Haha… no problem."
I awkwardly chuckled, assuring them it was okay.
‘What should I say now?'
Just as I was pondering my next words, a student asked, as if to answer my unspoken question.
[Senior! I have a question!]
"Oh, sure! Go ahead."
Unintentionally, it seemed like I was now in a spontaneous Q&A session.
