Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Was it the solemnity of the black cassock that kept the reporters from speaking rashly? After all, even the host paused momentarily, busy admiring Jang Yeongguks appearance. The deep gaze between his neatly trimmed bangs and the white collar on his black clothing created an odd harmony, making the place feel as reverent as if it had become a diocese.

How much time had passed? The host, momentarily captivated by Yeongguk, regained his senses and tapped the microphone.

Apologies for my momentary distraction. Now, lets begin The Priests Confessions press conference! Before we start, let me formally introduce the production team and main cast members of The Priests Confession! First, the one who wrote the script and will direct the movie, Shin Seonghyeon!

The reporters regained their senses thanks to the host speaking in such a resounding voice. They had momentarily lost their minds, as if possessed by a ghost, because of the halo they felt when Yeongguk appeared. Only when the host called out Jang Yeongguks name did they start to get busy, pressing their camera shutters.

Still nervous, I see.

As the reporters Q&A session began, Director Shin Seonghyeons expression stiffened. In the future, press conferences like this would take place in a more relaxed atmosphere, almost like a tea party, but this time was different.

As proof, wasnt Director Shin Seonghyeons fingers trembling slightly as he held the microphone? The others were no different. They all answered nervously like they were criminals attending a police interrogation.

I have a question for Actor Jang Yeongguk. Why did you choose The Priests Confession, an R-rated film with a murderer as the main character, as your next project? It seems too radical for just an image change. Id like to ask if there were any internal conflicts within your agency. Maybe you selected this role to express your dissatisfaction with the CEO. If not, were there any disagreements between the broadcasting companies? Ive heard that all three major stations were trying to cast you.

Look at this guy.

He pretended to be polite while asking questions, but there were thorns in his words. Not all reporters were as dedicated as war correspondents. Thats why actors had to be cautious with their words. One slip-up and the reporters would latch on, exaggerating the issue and pushing their opinions to be the truth. Whether in the past or the present, such reporters existed.

However, Ive dealt with these brats too many times. Just as I was about to grab the microphone and display my wit, Director Shin Seonghyeon stepped in first. His face showed his restrained anger.

Excuse me, reporter, may I answer on behalf of actor Jang Yeongguk?

I clearly asked actor Jang Yeongguk.CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

Unfazed by the insinuation that there was a problem, Director Shin Seonghyeon began to explain.

Thats because its a question that Jang Yeongguk doesnt need to answer. Based on that logic, is the reason your outfit is disheveled because you had a fight with your wife last night? Your eyes are bloodshot, too. It seems like you didnt get a good nights sleep. Did you have any difficulties attending todays press conference?

What kind of! Is that something you should be saying to a reporter?

Its the same for the actors. Saying that the role was selected because of a disagreement with their CEO is absurd. Actors are people who act. When they choose a role, they prioritize the script, not the pros and cons of life. Lastly, please think of his role as a priest who judges, not a murderer. I believe we provided you with a pre-interview guide, so please review it thoroughly.

Wow!

Who would have thought Director Shin Seonghyeon would be so bold? Just moments ago, he looked nervous because of the sheer number of reporters present, but now he was entirely different. After a brief silence, another reporter asked a question.

Jang Yeongguk seems to have a bright future as an actor. Honestly, in my reporting experience, Ive never seen such a young actor make such a daring decision. If you pull off this role well, I think you can completely break away from the child actor image.

He was a middle-aged reporter. I had seen him at least once before at a script reading. If I remember correctly, his name was Kwak Myunghwan. I heard that among the reporters, he was quite a big name.

Of course, I couldnt find any trace of him during the time when I was popular in my past life. He must have retired back then. After all, hadnt he only become famous after he turned forty?

Before I tell you the protagonists thoughts, let me borrow the words of someone else I know. I think we can see evil not only in invisible beings but also in our neighbors around us. How many people commit evil deeds and live their lives without repentance and regret? In fact, they might be considered more evil than invisible beings. However, the protagonists definition of evil is slightly different from this. I would appreciate it if you could find the answer by watching the movie at the theater.

Reporter Kwak Myunghwan seemed satisfied with the answer, as a pleased smile appeared on his face. The following questions were all expected, so I had the leisure to mix some jokes with my answers.

The host, apparently a former comedian, also seemed to have relaxed quite a bit and began to chat like a butterfly. It turned one we got along quite well.

Meanwhile, everyone, including Director Shin Seonghyeon, was wiping away sweat and marveling at the situation. Even they, having experienced all sorts of ups and downs in the movie industry, were usually nervous at press conferences. However, the atmosphere was being led by the main actorpractically a rookie in the industry.

Moreover, the sight of him casually exchanging jokes with reporters seemed like that of someone who had experienced such events hundreds of times. Thanks to that, the frozen atmosphere at the press conference momentarily bloomed with laughter.

* * *

The day after the press conference, articles about The Priests Confession began to flood in. If it had been an ordinary movie press conference, this many articles wouldnt have sprung up.

After all, wasnt this the next work of the actor who had earned the title of the nations first love? It was only natural that there would be this much interest.

They wrote so well, didnt they?

The words from Kwak Myunghwan and other veteran entertainment reporters were mostly praises.

A rookie actor walks the unwavering path of an actor.

The headlines were just amazing. Of course, not all articles were positive. Some poured out malicious rumors under the name of an image transformation, saying the movie would fail. However, the number of such articles was so small that one couldnt find them unless one looked for them.

Hey! Are you kidding me with this plan to have a wrap-up party at a theater? And whats with the second round being Korean beef? Is this the wrap-up party plan you submitted? I have to contact the reporters right away. What am I going to do?

Well, just go ahead with it.

Youre just saying whats easy for you! Do you think only your team is attending the wrap-up party? Reporters will come, Ill be there, and the vice president might show up too. Does it make sense to have it at a theater? Just change it back to a hotel convention hall. Even if we spend a lot on fancy wrap-up parties, you guys always act like frogs in a well!

No, how long are we going to be so formal? Id be fine with a convention hall if it was just me. But the film crew and actors would be uncomfortable. To be blunt, the wrap-up party is where the film crew and actors can unwind after going through a hard time filming the drama. But with reporters coming for interviews, the department head attending, and even the vice president, do you think alcohol will flow smoothly in that kind of atmosphere?

As the name suggested, the wrap-up party was where the actors and the film crew who participated in the drama could unwind after all their hard work. However, it became more formal at some point, with reporters coming for interviews and even broadcasting executives showing up. Everyone tried to be cautious with their words, but it would be a lie to say that such an atmosphere wasnt burdensome.

Having it at the theater has its merits too. Everyone agreed to watch the last episode together, so wouldnt it be better to watch it on a big screen? In a way, its like watching the growth of a child born with a stomachache! To be honest, when you were a PD, you even had many uncomfortable moments during your wrap-up parties. Its tough when the vice president, who never even cared about the filming site, comes to pay their false respect. And its a relief if only the vice president comes. If he brings a bunch of executives with him, just ask for more contributions instead!

Hey, are you the department head? How can a child always try to take advantage of a meeting? Is the theater already prepared?

I have already reserved it.

Alright, I got it. You can go. Ill try to talk nicely to the vice president.

The completely exhausted drama department head shook his head. At that moment, Kim Jin left the room but poked his head back into the office and asked,

Sir, what about our Phuket trip?

This child, really!

When the department head gestured that he was going to throw his nameplate, Kim Jin quickly closed the door to the office. The department head sighed deeply as he put down the nameplate. Sometimes Kim Jin seemed like a social expert, but at times like this, he was like a runaway colt.

But it was not bad. Just looking at him standing up for his family so they wouldnt feel uncomfortable was enough to show that, with someone like him, this dull drama department could progress.

* * *

After I finished school, I went straight to the diocese in my school uniform. As the afternoon mass ended, the parishioners left the church and priests in cassocks moved around.

My child, the soutane you wore at the production presentation really suited you well. Finding a priest who looks that good in our diocese is hard. Come in. The tea will lose its taste if it gets cold.

The Archbishop gave a warm smile and handed over a cup of tea. Like his personality, his room was filled with old and worn-out things. Even just looking at the Bible and rosary, both showing the traces of time, was proof enough.

Archbishop, I know you received the script for the movie through the production company, but I couldnt help but feel guilty for not telling you earlier, so I came to see you like this.

No, on the contrary, if you had told me before, my excitement might have actually been less. I read the screenplay while losing sleep for the first time in a long time. I dont know how many times I re-read sentences like that. Brings back memories of when I was young and read The Sorrows of Young Werther.[1] But I worried. I wondered if the young child here could handle this screenplay well.

What do you mean?

His Grace elaborated as he put down his teacup.

The protagonist is a very introspective character. He builds up guilt in his heart as if confessing to the deeds he had done. I was worried that acting out such a character might also create pus in your heart. Can I ask you just one thing? In your opinion, what do you think evil is?

It was a question I had asked before. However, the situation had changed this time, with the Archbishop asking me the question. If I had been asked this question on the first day I visited the archdiocese, I would have been frustrated, but not now.

I think of evil as possessing a malicious heart and carrying out wicked deeds, bringing them shame and ensnaring themselves in a trap. When I look at the sinner trapped in the snare, my sorrowful eyes are not on the sinner but on the people who suffered because of him. These are the same sentiments I had when reading the Psalms.

With a pious tone in his voice, the Archbishop nodded briefly.

My worries were groundless.

Archbishop, didnt you consider that the movie could damage the image of the church?

It was an honest concern. It was true that I felt uncomfortable portraying this image of a priest that was the opposite of the good image people had. However, the Archbishop did not care at all and showed his unique, kind-hearted smile again. And he added, holding his rosary,

There is no right answer in religion. Ones faith belongs to the believer and is not determined by religion, so the content in the screenplay is not that important. Theres freedom of expression in our society. No matter what the movie says, it cannot harm faith. I think that is the power of religion.

At that moment, under the choral singing of the deacons, the setting red sun shone on the bell hanging on the spire.

[1]The Sorrows of Young Werther is a novel written by Goethe.



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