Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Confessions of Actor Jang?

Chief Editor Kwak Myunghwan looked at the terrestrial TV PD sitting opposite him.

Are you asking about a story that is already a decade old?

There are many things I would like to ask you, Chief Kwak, because getting an interview with you isnt easy. Besides, there are many parts that resonate with the documentary about Actor Jang Youngguk we are currently producing. We understand that youve been keenly observing Mr. Jang since his debut.

Not exactly from his debut. I didnt know about him when he was a child actor. He shot to fame with the drama Youth when he was eighteen. I happened to run into Actor Jang when I attended a script reading at that time. You remember Youth, right?

Of course. Didnt our drama department produce it? There are even rumors that itll be remade this year, thanks to fans nostalgic from ten years ago. The PD who was in charge of the production, Kim Jin, is now head of the drama department at a cable network, and Writer Hwang Sugyeong has become a giant of the industry that Korea cant do without. And of course, we dont need to mention Actor Jang Youngguk.

Senior Writer Kwak Myunghwan gave a brief nod. The wrinkles around his eyes reflected his nostalgia for ten years ago. As the camera for the documentary rolled, he added his narration.

There were a lot of concerns about using a newcomer, but Youth was a huge hit, dispelling those worries. Actor Jangs popularity soared to the sky. He was extremely popular even across the ocean in Japan. It wouldnt be an exaggeration to call him Koreas first Hallyu star. The advertising industry also tried to hire Actor Jang, offering huge conditions. Do you remember the apple drink commercial that Actor Jang first took on?

Ahaha, you mean that commercial now recorded as a black mark in Actor Jangs history?

It may be a black mark for Actor Jang, but it must have been a godsend for the advertiser. Thanks to that one commercial, the apple drink sold like hotcakes in Korea, and the company grew so much that the advertisers title changed from CEO to Chairman.

After the Youth ended, Jang Youngguk quickly rose to become the blue chip of the broadcasting and advertising world.

However

Contrary to the publics expectation that he would continue to build his reputation as a teen icon, Actor Jang chose a film rated for adults only for his next project. Many people worried about this. They said it was too drastic an image transformation. As a result, the advertising industry, which had been showering him with love calls, hesitated. Some reporters even wrote malicious articles. They said that the teen star who had been riding the wave of popularity might leave a blemish on his acting career due to his acting pride.

Did you think so too, Chief Kwak?

Why would I? An actor has to act, so why should he worry about other peoples eyes? I respected Actor Jangs decision.

Just then, the cameraman signaled that the tape was going to run out. During the break, the PD carefully brought up a private conversation.

Mr. Kwak, do you remember Actor Jangs first fan meeting by any chance?

I remember it very well.

Then this is my personal curiosity, but in the past, wasnt it practically unheard of for an actor to hold a fan meeting? I tried to find a video of the fan meeting at the time, but I couldnt get it because the agency said they didnt have any data. You were active at the time, and you attended Actor Jangs fan meeting, didnt you?

Yes, I did. I understand why Songwon Entertainment doesnt have the video.

Excuse me?

Myunghwan recalled the scene of the fan meeting ten years ago and explained.

There were circumstances that made it so.

* * *

There were so many cameras installed at the fan meeting venue that it felt like a movie shooting scene. All because of CEO Kim Seonghwans passion.

It was Songwon Entertainments first fan meeting, and, at the time, it was not common for actors to hold fan meetings, so he thought it was worth recording.

Meanwhile, Yeongguk licked his dry lips.

I shouldnt have prepared a personal talent.

His mouth got the better of him. He didnt need to boast about preparing a personal talent. He had learned the choreography for a week, but there was no way he could fix his awkwardness, equivalent to an incurable disease, in such a short time. He could almost see the face of Actor Park Suyeong laughing and giggling while watching the recorded fan meeting video.

Many fans have come from not only Korea but also Japan! Yeongguk has been practicing dance for a long time for the fans. According to the rumors, he dances better than most singers and everyone was surprised. Is it true? He is about to reveal his dance skills, which have never been disclosed anywhere before!

The atmosphere heated up with the hosts witty talk. Where on earth did the groundless rumor that he dances better than most singers come from?

Yeongguks face felt hot, and he wanted to say stop. But when he heard the screams of the fans outside the stage, it all disappeared. What cant he do for the fans?

Kawaii!

Cute!

The audience shouted in both Korean and Japanese. People were screaming with joy. His dance moves ere clumsy, but he had been practicing for so long that he was able to hit the beat perfectly, spreading a happy smile on the fans faces.

Natsune! Dojin-sama is going to sing!

What? Singing?

Yeah! They say hes really good at singing?

Really?

The Japanese fan, Natsune, upon hearing her friend who had been on the same plane with her, responded and suddenly became focused. She already seen Yeongguks robot dance routine, so she dindt expect much. It was very cute, but she couldnt say he was good. Soon after, Yeongguk picked up the stand microphone and smiled.

Yeah, it didnt matter if he was good or bad at singing anymore. An actor just needed to act well, and his smile alone could melt a frozen glacier.

It was then.

Shojo.

His favorite song from his past life rang out. She didnt understand because it was Korean, but the feeling of the lyrical lyrics gripped her whole body. Natsune was already tightly closing her mouth as if thrilled.

Who knew a song could be so sweet?

Natsune, today really feels like a dream.

As her friend said, it wouldnt be as happy as walking on clouds. Not only her, but all the faces of the numerous fans who came to the fan meeting clearly revealed the same emotions.

He was doing so when he was speaking Korean, but every time he waved his fluent Japanese at them, their hearts trembled as if an earthquake had occurred. How could they not love him, soaked in sweat from passionately running around the stage for the fans? The thought that she wished this moment would last forever circled in her head.

Do you know me?

How could I not know him? Hes the person who gave me a lot of disgrace in my previous life. His stern image had become sharper with age.

Now, he was famous throughout Asia, but in the future, he would become a master in Hollywood, the sacred place of the film industry, as a music director.

On the other hand, Director Choi Yul was perplexed. Even though he had made a name for himself as a music director, he had had few encounters with actors. Thats because most of his work was done by watching the directed film and discussing it with the film director.

I really liked the main theme song of From Busan and Monglan, your debut work. And I read the interview after you won the music award at the Grand Bell Awards.

Really? But Monglan is a movie that hasnt been released in China yet?

Oops.

Ah, I saw in a magazine that Director Choi Yul is working on the theme song for a movie called Monglan in China. I guess I got my hopes up too high.

Really?

But Director Shin, surely the person you mentioned isnt

Yes, its Director Choi Yul. I never thought Actor Jang would go as far as to look up his interview. He will be in charge of the music for our movie, The Priests Confession. He rushed back from China a few days ago.

Huh.

Director Choi Yuls popularity was skyrocketing, even among renowned filmmakers. He was considered a blue chip, akin to a national actor. I never dreamed Id meet him here.

He was notoriously picky when it came to selecting projects but thats because he was also a perfectionist. Generally, music directors had two methods of working.

First, they would select or compose the theme song after filming was completely finished and they could watch the edited footage. Secondly, they would visit the set from the start of filming and come up with the song. Director Choi Yul belonged to the latter group.

He was a sensitive guy.

And quite prickly at that. I had a minor role in his previous film. By his mid-forties, he was already considered a master music director, just as influential as a film director.

Ugh, I dont want to recall those times.

When Director Choi Yul complained at a drinking party that my acting was so terrible it hindered his ability to come up with a suitable track, the film director fired me on the spot. I couldnt argue, I was pretty green.

Of course, that experience served as a lesson and improved my acting.

I look forward to working with you, Director Choi Yul.

But this time, I would show a different side of me.

* * *

Eventually, the shout of the assistant director that standby was complete rang out. Everyone swallowed nervously and headed to the filming site.

Scene number 1, The Priests Confession!

With the sound of the clapperboard, all eyes on set were focused. The beginning of the movie flowed in reverse order. This meant the story flowed backwards from the moment the serial killer was caught. It was a device to engage and interest the audience beyond the screen.

Kim Mujin, 29 years old, you claim to be a priest, is that correct?

His hair was disheveled, and the white collar, worn over a black cassock down to his ankles, was stained with blood. Despite the detectives questioning, the priest remained silent. The detective banged his fist on the steel table in frustration.

Answer me! Do you think youre here for fun! Theres six of them, the number of victims suspected to have been killed by you. How can you commit such crimes and still call yourself a priest.

At the sight of the priest exercising his right to remain silent, the frustrated detective shook his head and rose from his seat. As he gestured across the double paned glass, another priest entered the interrogation room. He was an older priest, his face and white hair covered with age spots. As he entered, the detective subtly made room for him.

Father Mateo, what is going on?

The older priest (played by Kim Hyeongseop) held the hand of the younger handcuffed priest (Jang Yeongguk) and asked. At that, the lips that were sealed tight, slowly opened.

Do you know what pride, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, sloth, and greed mean, Bishop James?

Are they not the seven deadly sins spoken of in the Bible?

Correct. The reason I killed them was nothing else. I questioned whether sin and punishment really existed while studying theology. Isnt that the case in reality? The victims turn to dust, while the perpetrators live on without hesitation.

His voice was too devout for a murderer.

Do not ask me why I did it. I cannot undo their sins, just as I cannot undo the sins I have committed. Bishop James, I have killed criminals corresponding to the seven deadly sins. However, I could not complete the last sin. Do you know what it is?

Greed.

Correct.

At that moment, the young priest lifted his head. His demeanor was gentle. Bloodstains remained on his neck and chin, but even that sight seemed incredibly sacred. As the older priest was about to say something, the young priest interrupted him with a shake of his head.

A senseless person cannot know this; a fool cannot comprehend.

The detectives standing beyond the glass of the interrogation room did not understand. They couldnt, as the words were in Latin. Of course, the older priest sitting in front of the young priest knew what he was saying. The gentle face of the young priest seemed to shatter like glass.

Why seek greed while walking the path of priesthood? How happy you must have been, seeing your barn full of riches. Not only did you lust after young women, but you also destroyed their families. All of this will be your sin.

As if a ripple had formed on a calm lake, the older priests wrinkled eyes trembled intensely. The people on set were watching this unfold. The brief intro taking place in the interrogation room was enough to captivate them and make it impossible to look away. Then

Greedy man, you will meet your death due to your ignorance.

The young priest explained in a sharp voice.

James, you are the last sin.

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