Chapter 145:
For 365 days a year, the bustling heart of South Korea, Incheon International Airport, never took a break.
It was evening, the time to wind down the day, but the airport continued its relentless activity.
In the midst of it all, there was someone wearing a particularly poignant expression Director Katahiro.
"Is this the land of Kang Jinseok, the actor?"
Although he had visited Europe and the United States several times for shootings, events, and studies, this was his first time in neighboring Korea.
Exiting the gate and heading towards the bus stop, Katahiro felt the chilly late spring air. Struggling to find his way to the bus bound for Gangnam, he leaned his head against the seat.
"Excuse me"
At that moment, a woman sitting in the adjacent seat spoke quietly in Japanese. Katahiro, not thinking she was addressing him, closed his eyes and tried to sleep.
"Um, excuse me. Are you Director Katahiro?"
At the mention of "Director Katahiro," his eyes shot open. Looking at the person who called him, he saw a young woman who seemed to be a college student or a young worker.
"Are you talking to me?"
Katahiro pointed at himself with his thumb.
"Yes. If you're not, I'm sorry."
"Oh, no. I'm Katahiro. But how did you recognize me?"
Even in Japan, very few people recognized him. Surprised, Katahiro looked at the woman, who responded with a charming smile.
"Really? That's amazing! I'm a big fan of yours, Director. I've watched all the films you've made. Oh, I'm sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I'm Inoue Masaki!"
"Ah yes, I'm Katahiro Takeshi."
Perhaps because he had met a fellow countryman in Korea, or maybe it was the recognition, that Katahiro's voice sounded a bit brighter than usual.
"Director, if you don't mind, can I sit next to you?"
"Yes, of course."
As Katahiro cleared a space for her bag, Inoue took a seat beside him.
"By the way, Director, what brings you to Korea?"
"Oh well."
Katahiro chuckled as he recounted the events of the day. He explained how he had originally planned to work on a project with Toho, but it fell through.
Inoue initially showed surprise and joy upon hearing that Katahiro was working on a new project. However, her expression darkened upon learning that it had been canceled.
Curious about Inoue's reaction, Katahiro wondered.
"In fact, after watching one of your films, Director Katahiro, I dreamed of becoming a film actor."
Inoue sighed before slowly speaking.
"After watching your work, I wanted to become an actor. When my friends watched dramas or anime, I watched movies. The first film I ever watched was your '10 Centimeters Per Second.'"
"Oh"
Katahiro's smile, mixed with complex emotions at hearing about his work after a long time, emerged.
Back then, making movies seemed fine.'
"So, I studied acting and took lessons to become an actor. But living as a film actor in Japan was too difficult. People around me looked at me strangely. Some said I had a maniacal taste for choosing movies over dramas."
""
"So, I came to Korea. It was too hard to make movies in Japan. But you know that saying, There is no paradise where you escape.' Even in Korea, it's not easy. Since I'm not fluent in Korean, the roles are limited, and there are so many actresses who are much prettier than me I even thought about getting plastic surgery. I have a very ordinary face, you know, and my figure is too."
"Oh, I see"
"I eventually gave up and was planning to return to Japan. But today, I'm heading back one last time to audition. It's not for a film but for an agency audition."
"You're auditioning at this hour?"
"Yes. I don't know why, but the audition coordinator suggested having the audition late in the evening. Anyway, that's why I boarded this bus again, thinking it might be my last chance."
After Inoue complained for a while, she brought both hands to her cheeks and laughed brightly.
"Haha, sorry. I've been talking too much, bothering the director with these pointless stories. I apologize."
"No, it's okay. More importantly I'm the one who should apologize. Someone like me should have somehow created a good environment for young actors. But, I guess I got caught up in my own concerns and neglected that."
Perhaps because they found themselves in similar situations, Inoue and Katahiro, who had just met on the bus today, comfortably shared their stories as if they had known each other for a long time.
Squeak.
As the bus stopped after about two hours, Inoue spoke.
"I'm getting off here, but are you going further?"
"Where is this? I need to get off at Gangnam.'"
"This station is Gangnam. You almost missed it."
Caught up in a conversation with someone he could talk to after a long time, Katahiro had forgotten to get off. Following Inoue, he stepped off the bus. Inoue, who got off first, was retrieving her suitcase from the luggage compartment underneath the bus.
A moment later, after taking out all her luggage, Inoue said to Katahiro, "Well then, I'll be going now. Director, it was an honor to meet you!"
"Oh, yes. I truly appreciate it."
"Yep!"
Despite the difficult situation, Inoue said goodbye cheerfully. Katahiro closely watched her.
She resembles her.'
It wasn't about her resembling someone he knew. Inoue's personality and image were similar to the protagonist he had envisioned while writing his works.
"Inoue-san."
After pondering for a moment, Katahiro cautiously spoke.
"Yes?"
"You mentioned auditioning this time, right?"
"Yes, yes."
"If things don't go well, well, I hope they do in any case"
Katahiro mumbled, handing his business card to Inoue.
"Please give me a call. I didn't mention it earlier, but there are people interested in investing in my next project, so that's why I came to Korea."
"Oh"
"But nothing is confirmed yet. Anyway, Inoue-san, go ahead and attend the audition you planned to see. If you happen to not make it, please contact me. My social media handle is also on the card."
Inoue accepted Katahiro's business card as if receiving a billion-dollar check, carefully.
Looking at the card, she repeated Katahiro's name several times, expressing her gratitude. Then, she bowed deeply.
"Thank you! I will definitely get in touch!"
"Haha, saying you'll definitely get in touch sounds like you'll fail the audition. Well, even if you do well, contact me. A passionate actress like Inoue-san is always welcome."
"Yes!"
Katahiro quietly observed Inoue, who bowed to him in gratitude. He pondered whether to offer advice on the concerns he heard from her on the bus or stay silent.
"Inoue-san, earlier on the bus, you mentioned being troubled because there were many beautiful actresses. You even considered plastic surgery."
Having made up his mind, Katahiro cautiously spoke.
"Yes? Oh, yes."
"This is just my personal opinion, but I hope you don't undergo surgery. Inoue-san, you have a very charming aura. You said you look ordinary, but depending on the role, you can have a very attractive appearance."
""
"Perhaps I hope it doesn't happen, but if someone criticizes Inoue-san's appearance with your features, don't be swayed. You're someone who can portray your own unique beauty."
Suddenly sharing a serious conversation, Katahiro felt a bit embarrassed and gave a gentle smile.
"Haha, I got too serious. You can just let it go. I apologize for holding you up when you're probably busy."
"Oh yes. Thank you, Director. I'll check it out!"
"Yes, be careful."
With those words, Inoue left, leaving Katahiro alone. He checked his phone.
"Well, now I should go to the hotel. Where should I go?"
Fortunately, Kang Jinseok's agency, who expressed interest in investing in his next project, had arranged accommodation for him.
After pressing the reservation text sent by a man named Jang Sunho, whom he had spoken to on the phone, a map in Japanese appeared on his cellphone.
"Even receiving such treatment in Japan"
Jang Sunho's sent map was quite intuitive, making it easy for Katahiro, who was visiting Korea for the first time, to find his way.
After walking for about 10 minutes following the map, he soon arrived at his destination.
Taking a deep breath, Katahiro looked at the building in front of him.
"Is this it?"
He thought it would be nice to stay at a capsule hotel if it was a sincere arrangement, but what he found was something else. There were stars outside the hotelfive stars to be exact. So, the hotel reserved by a person named Jang Sunho turned out to be a five-star hotel.
"Haha, I must have come to the wrong place. Let's see"
Backtracking, Katahiro compared the hotel in the photo on the map with the building in front of him. No matter how he compared, this building matched.
"Should I make a call? There's no way the director would provide such a luxurious hotel for free. Did he mistakenly send it to someone else?"
As Katahiro puzzled over it, a few men and women in suits came out of the hotel's main entrance.
Thinking they were blocking the entrance, Katahiro sidestepped to avoid them. However, the suited men and women continued to follow him.
"Korean employees are really persistent."
Eventually, Katahiro raised both hands and made a gesture of apology. The man at the front of the suited group smiled and spoke.
"Are you Director Katahiro?"
***
Katahiro and Inoue, who gained some courage after their meeting on the bus, were in different situations. She was at a Korean agency for an audition and interview.
After finishing her prepared acting, Inoue, speaking in somewhat awkward Korean, said, "I am Lee Sang."
Not only her voice but also her tense expression and gestures revealed her nervousness. The short-haired judge with heavy lipstick laughed and said, "Hoho, you don't need to be so nervous. You did well."
"Th-thank you."
"Yes. Your acting is really good, but there's a bit of an issue with pronunciation. How long have you been in Korea?"
"It has been one year. I study Korean every day."
"Self-taught?"
"Yes."
"Impressive. If you start learning properly, you'll improve quickly."
Seeing the positive reaction from the judge, Inoue smiled subtly, showing a pleased expression. Meanwhile, other judges glanced at Inoue's profile, scrutinizing her with sidelong glances.
Although Inoue wanted to listen to their conversation, no words reached her ears.
"First of all, your acting is truly impressive, and I really like it. I highly appreciate that you studied Korean on your own because you want to act in Korea. Your passion is remarkable."
Watching the nervous Inoue, the woman among the judges who seemed to hold the highest position applauded and spoke.
"Oh Yes, yes!"
"As I mentioned earlier, there is a slight issue with pronunciation, but that can improve over time, so it's okay. Or, you could take on a role that suits slightly awkward Korean, like a foreign exchange student.'"
Inoue's eyes widened at the overwhelmingly positive words. Despite attending numerous auditions, she had never experienced such a good atmosphere before.
I decided to try this one last time, and it was a good decision!'
Although not cast in a project, she had passed an audition for a Korean agency. She could work hard here, not being picky about roles, and someday, she might shine.
While Inoue was immersed in such happy thoughts, a judge with a seemingly higher position spoke with a thoughtful tone.
"However, looking at your profile, I felt it, and there's something about your appearance It's just that there isn't a distinctive, attention-grabbing quality. When you see actors, especially actresses, you can feel their aura. If you don't have that taste, do you understand?"
"Oh Yes."
"I'm not saying you're ugly. It's just that you give off a very ordinary feeling. Unless a director specifically looks for ordinary appearance,' it might be challenging to secure roles. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Inoue felt stifled as if a rock was pressing against her chest. It was a complex she was aware of.
Whether her feelings were evident on her face or not, the judge smiled kindly and continued.
"I'm not saying there won't be opportunities. If you promise to do well as I tell you, there might be a way. How about it?"
"A promise?"
"Yes. Um, Inoue, you're busy, and I'm busy, and we both have a lot to do, so let me just say it."
The judge smiled subtly, tempting Inoue with a look like an enticing devil.
"Let's change you a bit. Oh, I misspoke. Not change,' but cultivate.' Sorry."
"Change?"
"Well, it could be surgery or exercise, something like that. Don't be too scared; it's something everyone does to a certain extent. As a woman, I won't ask you to do anything bad to another woman."
The judge licked her deep red lips, concluding her words in a seductive manner.
"Inoue, if you promise to listen to me and do as I say, I'll take responsibility and turn you into a star."
""
"Not just me. It's our KL Entertainment, Actor Team 2."
The judge emphasized the collective effort of KL Entertainment, suggesting that it wasn't solely her decision but a collaborative effort from the entire team.
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