Han Seongtae looked down at the business card Kim Mu-cheol’s manager had handed him.
JT Entertainment, Actors Division 1, Team Leader, Joo Ji-cheol.
‘JT Entertainment is a company of considerable size.’
Not exactly a conglomerate but an agency on a scale similar to PAN Entertainment.
A strange feeling welled in Han Seongtae as he realized he had now received cards from two agencies.
‘In the past, I ran until my feet blistered just to get a single card like this.’
If he accepted Joo Ji-cheol’s, that would make three.
Even PAN Entertainment alone had given him plenty to ponder.
[‘Man of a Thousand Faces’ nods, saying it is only natural that agencies hustle to secure a good actor.]
Han Seongtae chuckled at the message.
A life lived with the Gods of Acting— that life had become light for him.
“It’s hard to decide right away. I’ll think it over.”
“Of course—take your time. We’re not pressuring you.”
“Thank you.”
Accepting the card, Han Seongtae started walking.
Pop.
Streetlights flicked on one by one with his steps.
He slipped the card into his pocket and walked between the lamps that now brightly lit his path.
Maybe because of filming, his stride looked burdened with thoughts.
He was already on a road entirely different from his previous life: no longer a man who labored in fear of failure, but an actor beginning to receive people’s expectations.
[‘One Who Defined His Era’ smiles, saying that whatever choice you make, they will be with you at the end of it.]
The reason he had held off on joining an agency was to gain certainty as an actor—
to know for sure that he was, indeed, an actor.
‘I am an actor—past, present, and in the future, I will live as an actor.’
The fear of failure was gone.
He fingered the cards in his pocket, a bit of brightness on his face.
How far had he walked?
Brrr.
His phone vibrated in his pocket.
“…”
Seeing the caller ID, he smiled faintly—the friend who had stayed by him in the past life and this one.
—What are you up to?
“On my way home after the wrap party.”
Answering Kim Min-seok, Han Seongtae looked up.
Night had fallen; in the sky, normally hidden stars shone between clouds and haze, twinkling at him like the Gods of Acting.
—We should catch up face to face.
“Sure. Once shooting’s over let’s meet.”
It had been a while since he’d seen Min-seok; he missed his friend. Making that plan, he headed home to rest for tomorrow’s shoot.
War of Villains continued filming in a very smooth atmosphere.
Because the people were those Choi Ye-chan had personally chosen, their acting gave Han Seongtae much to study.
[‘Founder of Jeet Kune Do’ says the reason he could display such flashy action was the latissimus dorsi, and you must build proper muscle.]
[‘Man of a Thousand Faces’ advises you to watch the actors’ faces closely and learn how they express emotion, make it yours.]
Listening to the gods, he practiced and spent his days.
Filming ran for over a week, and in that time his acting grew.
He kept wishing, just a little more, a little more—but though many scenes remained, today was his last day on set.
“Today’s your final shoot, right?”
“Yes.”
“Time flies. Aren’t you sad?”
At Kim Dae-hyeon’s words, Han shrugged.
To say he felt no regret would be a lie, but that regret is what leads to the next time.
“Well… I’m fine. I’m sad, sure, but I learned a lot and had fun.”
“Pretty calm, huh?”
“My feeling sad won’t change anything. Better to use that time looking toward the next opportunity.”
“Cold-blooded kid. I was nowhere near that composed on my first film.”
Kim Dae-hyeon shook his head, and Han merely smiled—he couldn’t speak of past lives and returning, so a smile was all.
“Seongtae-ssi, the director’s looking for you.”
“I’ll go right away.”
Bowing to Dae-hyeon, he followed the staffer.
In front of the set, Choi Ye-chan was speaking amid staff and actors.
“When Seok-dong comes in, we’ll grab a full shot, then slowly close in on the face…”
Han watched silently as the director laid out the direction. Time passed.
“All right, everyone to your marks.”
At his words people scattered.
“Director, I heard you called for me.”
“Ah, good. Today’s the day Seongtae-ssi dies.”
“Ah… right.”
“Was that phrasing off?”
True, in the story his character died, but it felt odd.
“I called to run blocking and give you a last push.”
“Thank you for thinking of me.”
“No, no. I feel bad I couldn’t look after you more.”
Han smiled—he knew full well the director had already gone out of his way for a mere bit player.
‘Just letting me be in the film is enough thanks I owe.’
Unable to do much else, he gave everything in his acting, believing a good performance repaid the kindness.
“Let’s finish strong.”
“Yes!”
He looked around the set—today it would host his last scene. Staff bustled about.
[‘Founder of Jeet Kune Do’ is watching you.]
[‘One Who Defined His Era’ awaits the acting you will show.]
Bearing the messages on his back, Han began his final performance in War of Villains.
“I told you, I’ll be the one who kills him.”
The serial killer, Kang Ho-gyeong, shouted, glaring at Jang Su-dong.
At his savage voice, Su-dong’s face hardened.
“Even if you’re some hotshot gangster, in front of a blade you’re just meat.”
“You son of a bitch.”
Su-dong’s face twisted as he glared. He wanted to pound Ho-gyeong right away, but stabbed as he was, strength kept draining from his body.
“Pant… pant…”
Seeing Su-dong’s breath grow harsh, Ho-gyeong grinned viciously.
“Just die already.”
Ho-gyeong, sashimi knife dripping blood, advanced on Su-dong—
[‘Man of a Thousand Faces’ signals that now is the time.]
Watching Kim Gyu-seong and Su-dong’s scene, Han Seongtae dashed in.
Under artificial rain he became Park Jae-hun and charged Kim Gyu-seong.
“Boss! This bastard—!”
Thud!
“Guh!”
Ho-gyeong rolled across the ground from Jae-hun’s kick.
“Boss, are you all right?”
“Cough…”
“The boys are on their way. Just hold on a little.”
“Shit!”
While Jae-hun checked Su-dong’s condition, Ho-gyeong leapt up, furious.
“I’ll settle this quick.”
“Be careful… that bastard’s insane.”
“Yes, boss.”
Nodding, Jae-hun set his stance. Ho-gyeong’s chilling eyes locked on him.
“You stab my boss? Don’t expect an ordinary death.”
“Shut up!”
Ho-gyeong rushed, flailing the sashimi knife.
Whoosh, slice.
So keenly honed that even a graze slit cloth.
[‘Founder of Jeet Kune Do’ guides your fist.]
Jae-hun dodged the blade and swung a punch. It was reckless against a knife, yet he hesitated not at all.
Whack!
His fist smashed square on Ho-gyeong’s nose. Grabbing Ho-gyeong’s collar, he slammed him to the floor.
Thunk.
“…Huh?”
Heat blossomed in his belly. Looking down, he saw the sashimi knife buried there—Ho-gyeong had slashed even as he was thrown.
Thud, thunk!
“Die, damn you!”
As Jae-hun staggered, Ho-gyeong toppled him and stabbed wildly, over and over. With each thrust that pierced his abdomen, Jae-hun’s consciousness dimmed.
Dying, he turned his head toward Su-dong. Through blurring vision he saw Su-dong running.
Bang!
The sound was so huge one questioned if a human hand had struck a human body.
“Guh!”
Ho-gyeong groaned and fled.
“Boss!”
“We’re here—! Brother Jae-hun!”
“Boss, are you all right?”
He was running because the gang members Jae-hun had called were arriving. If only they’d come sooner.
Holding him, Su-dong yelled for him to stay awake. Struggling, Jae-hun spoke.
“Boss… my little brother… please…”
“I’ll take responsibility. All your boys—I’ll look after them.”
Seeing Su-dong thanking him, Jae-hun’s life ended.
Clutching the body, Su-dong let out a wild scream.
“Carry our brother.”
Staggering up, he clenched his fist—vowing revenge.
Thus, ended Han Seongtae’s performance.
“Good job, Seongtae.”
“Thank you, senior.”
Filming over, Ma Seok-dong patted his shoulder.
“I’ve got a project I plan to produce. If you’re interested, call me.”
Staring blankly at the card Ma Seok-dong handed him, Han Seongtae nodded.
Another connection was made— and not just with anyone, but with Ma Seok-dong, the top action actor and producer.
The shoot was over, but for Han Seongtae it marked a beginning.
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