Possessed 10 Million Actors - Chapter 135:

“Until now, my life has been nothing but lies, but… this feeling, at least, is real.”

Jinseok barely managed to swallow his tears and calmly finished his lines somehow. The filming was supposed to conclude with Yeo Hyemin embracing Jinseok after his deliberation.

But then, at that moment, flop.

Jinseok suddenly sank to the ground as if his legs had given way.

Amidst the bewildered faces on the set at Jinseok’s spontaneous action, he burst into tears.

Yeo Jaeyoon, watching Jinseok’s face on the monitor, sensed that something was amiss and urgently shouted, “Cut!”

A perfect portrayal of emotions suddenly kneeling and sobbing? This was an unprecedented experience even for Director Yeo Jaeyoon.

Caught off guard, not only Yeo Hyemin but also the staff were in disarray. Even the onlookers from the balcony and rooftop, who were watching the shoot, were startled by the sudden turn of events.

“Director, I apologize. Can we take a short break?”

At that moment, Jang Sunho hurriedly approached Yeo Jaeyoon and said. His voice was calm, but confusion was evident in his expression.

“Yes, please quickly check on Actor Kang Jinseok’s condition.”

“Yes.”

Jang Sunho held Jinseok’s long padded coat and rushed towards him. Even in the midst of this, Jinseok continued to cry, seemingly lost in another world.

‘What’s happening all of a sudden…’

While covering Jinseok with the coat, Jang Sunho asked, “Are you okay, Jinseok?”

“…”

“Jinseok?”

Jinseok, who always answered even in a daze when called, now had vacant eyes and remained silent.

Sensing that something was wrong, Jang Sunho tried to lift Jinseok up first.

“…I saw something too sad.”

Suddenly, Jinseok murmured before Jang Sunho could ask. Before Jang SUnho could respond with a “What?” Jinseok spoke again.

“But that was the reality.”

“…”

Confused by the unfamiliar words, Jang SUnho looked at Jinseok. Jinseok still seemed dazed.

After a moment, Jinseok snapped out of it, stood up, and bowed apologetically.

“I’m sorry. I just… It’s difficult to put into words.”

“…”

“I’ll make sure there are no more mistakes from now on.”

That was Jinseok’s first NG (No Good, a term used in filmmaking to indicate an error or mistake) throughout the entire filming of this movie.

***

On the way to drop Jinseok home after the shoot, Jang Sunho observed Jinseok in the rearview mirror, looking unusually tired.

‘Why did that suddenly happen?’

No matter how talented an actor’s acting skills were, everyone, being human, made mistakes. If Jinseok had forgotten his lines or burst into laughter out of the blue, Jang Sunho would have overlooked it without much thought.

But Jinseok’s NG was different. Suddenly collapsing and shedding tears. It was an unusual situation that couldn’t be ignored without concern.

“Fortunately, he showed perfect acting again after that NG, but… Hmm.”

Jang Sunho’s contemplation deepened.

“And he mentioned seeing something sad…”

Recalling his conversation with Jinseok, Jang Sunho shook his head. He couldn’t afford to think about other matters while driving.

“Manager.”

At that moment, Jinseok spoke in a low voice.

“Yes, what is it?”

“I’m really sorry, but could we make a stop somewhere before heading home?”

“Now… What do you mean?”

“Yes.”

Honestly, Jang Sunho wanted to send Jinseok home as quickly as possible. It wasn’t that he found it troublesome for Jinseok to go elsewhere or come back, but he simply wanted to give Jinseok a break, sensing that he wasn’t in good condition.

As Jang Sunho slowed down in accordance with the traffic light, he said, “I’m sorry, Jinseok. Normally, I wouldn’t mind, but right now…”

Jang Sunho hesitated in his words. Whether it was due to his mood or not, he felt like Jinseok might go out alone even if he were dropped home now.

“Well, it’s better if I go with him in that case.”

In the end, Jang Sunho didn’t feel like it, but he had no choice but to comply with Jinseok’s request.

“Where would you like to go?”

Upon Jang Sunho’s suggestion, Jinseok sighed softly and said, “Please take me to the ‘Mingles’ restaurant in Nonhyeon-dong.”

***

In the ‘Mingles’ restaurant in Nonhyeon-dong, a waiter named Yu Jihoon was observing a middle-aged woman sitting alone with a vacant expression today as well.

“She’s ordering the same dishes again today.”

He had been working at this restaurant for four years now. According to the chef who had worked there the longest, she had been sitting like that every year even before he started.

“Well… from the restaurant’s perspective, she orders food, doesn’t cause any trouble, so it’s not a big issue.”

Yu Jihoon was curious. Why was the woman behaving like that?

As he pondered, someone behind him spoke, “Mr. Yu Jihoon, it’s rude to stare at the guest like that.”

Turning around, he saw a senior waiter with a disgruntled face.

“Yes? Oh, sorry.”

“If you have nothing to do, tell the guest that the kitchen will be closing in 10 minutes. Let the others know as well.”

“Got it.”

Nodding, Yu Jihoon approached the middle-aged woman.

“Excuse me. As it’s almost closing time, if you plan to order anything else, please do so within the next 10 minutes.”

With the demeanor of an experienced waiter, Yu Jihoon spoke to the woman. In response, she gave a faint smile and nodded.

“Yes. I’m sorry for occupying the table until this late.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Smiling professionally, Yu Jihoon headed toward another table.

“Huh?”

“Who is that person…?”

“Right? Right?!”

Suddenly, there was a commotion near the entrance of the restaurant. It was unusual for ‘Mingles,’ which aimed for a quiet atmosphere, especially at this late hour nearing closing time.

Curious about what was happening, Yu Jihoon discreetly turned his head to glance at the entrance.

There stood a large and menacing-looking man, and another man who made people think, ‘People can be so good-looking.’

“Where have I seen him before…?”

“Wow, wow, Kang Jinseok is unreal…”

Jinseok wandered near the entrance of the restaurant. The senior who had been giving orders to him just a while ago was now looking at Jinseok, recognizing him as the famous Kang Jinseok, a fan favorite among the staff. Even those who didn’t know Jinseok well could tell that the man was ‘Kang Jinseok.’

Other customers, noticing the sudden appearance of a star, also turned their attention toward Jinseok, causing a stir. In the midst of this, the senior waiter spoke to Jinseok.

“Um… I’m sorry. Actually, we’re closing in ten minutes.”

“Oh, it’s okay. I didn’t come here for a meal; I just wanted to ask something.”

“Ask something?”

“Yes. By any chance…”

Jinseok chuckled lightly and whispered something to the senior waiter.

As Jinseok’s face approached, the senior waiter blushed, but after hearing Jinseok’s words, he regained his composure.

“Yes. She’s over there. Is she an acquaintance of yours?”

“Acquaintance… yes, let’s call her that. Thank you.”

Expressing gratitude with a nod, Jinseok left the senior waiter behind and approached the table where Yu Jihoon and the middle-aged woman were seated.

“Why is he coming to me?”

Caught off guard by Jinseok approaching him suddenly, Yu Jihoon looked around in confusion.

From the earphones plugged in, the senior waiter’s voice was heard.

[Mr. Jihoon, please vacate the table quickly. And go into the kitchen right now and bring out something light to eat. It’s the owner’s order, don’t worry about closing time!]

Following the senior’s firm instructions, Yu Jihoon headed straight to the kitchen. Now, only Jinseok and the woman remained at the table.

“Kang Jinseok, the actor… right?”

The woman looked at Jinseok with a puzzled expression.

“It feels strangely familiar.”

It wasn’t the kind of recognition one gets from seeing someone on screen or in photos. It felt more like a connection from a long time ago, something comforting and nostalgic.

Suddenly, the woman seemed bewildered.

“Why is he approaching me? Why is he sitting at the table?”

Jinseok, appearing somewhat desperate, greeted her with a faint smile and a slight nod.

In response, Jinseok, now composed, continued speaking.

“Mr. Kim Faith had planned to return all the money he scammed from the victim after his meeting with Lee Hyemin. Do you understand what I mean?”

The woman’s expression hardened. The name the man just mentioned wasn’t a trivial one to be thrown around casually.

Before the woman could ask anything, Jinseok continued.

“If Kim Faith were here, he would have apologized for being late and apologized again for not being able to keep his promise due to the pressure. This is what I heard from a staff member earlier… You’ve been coming here for years. If Kim Faith heard that, he would have cried a lot.”

However, at Jinseok’s earnest attitude, the woman looked puzzled.

‘Why does he know about what happened between me and Kim Faith?’

Unable to tolerate further interference, the woman asked hesitantly, “Do you know Kim Faith… that person?”

“Yes. I found out recently.”

“If recently… you met him in person?”

“Yes.”

“Where is he now…!”

The moment the woman spoke urgently, Jinseok calmly responded without a change in his voice.

“He has passed away.”

“…”

“He confessed to Lee Hyemin and, on his way back, had a traffic accident in the early morning.”

The woman’s face stiffened again. After a moment of hesitation, she squinted her eyes and glared at Jinseok.

However, the face of Jinseok’s serious expression, the woman couldn’t utter a word. Jinseok didn’t seem like he was joking or sharing a story he casually overheard somewhere. His expression conveyed a gravity that made her speechless.

“Please tell me your story…”

Rather, Jinseok seemed sadder than her, as if he knew everything. In the clear eyes of the young man he was meeting for the first time, there was a profound sympathy for him.

“All Kim Faith asked of me was to return all the money he earned in a bad way to the owner…”

In the silence, Jinseok struggled to speak.

“I came to deliver his apology to Lee Hyemin on his behalf.”

With those words, Jinseok stood up. While doing so, he took out a business card from his pocket and handed it to the woman.

“It’s my manager’s contact information. There will be a movie preview soon. If you contact that number, my manager will send you tickets to the preview.”

“A movie preview?”

“Yes, I hope you come to see it. No, you must come.”

With his final words, Jinseok bowed and said, “Enjoy your meal. I’ll excuse myself now.”

TN: SADDENING!