Los Angeles.
Also known as LA, it was famous as a place that films passed through at least once when they were being shot.
Among overseas films that had gone up for the Academy Awards, it was rare to find one that had not used Los Angeles as a filming location.
Instinctive Rush had also filmed in Los Angeles.
The train-racing scene that created Instinctive Rush and remained talked about for ten, even twenty years.
That scene had been made on Terminal Island in Los Angeles.
The scene where they raced even with the train rushing right beside them had become unforgettable to anyone who had watched Instinctive Rush even once.
Hadn’t Han Seongtae also watched that scene with his fists clenched tight, tense the whole time?
‘And Malibu Beach too…’
Han Seongtae thought of one place and closed his mouth.
Malibu Beach in Los Angeles.
That place had created the scene that left the second strongest impression of Instinctive Rush.
A place that had been with everyone since the first film, and now commemorated the person they kept in their hearts.
[‘The One Who Lives and Dies by Speed’ says he is looking forward to going to Los Angeles after such a long time.]
Seeing the god’s excited message, Han Seongtae could not say anything.
What could he say?
‘That place had been made to commemorate you.’
Han Seongtae could not say that, so he quietly entrusted himself to the plane.
After more than ten hours of long travel, the lodging they arrived at was so excellent that it did not fall short compared to Boston.
“Leaving everything else aside, I really like how they arrange lodging here.”
At Jung Dusik’s words, Han Seongtae laughed.
Because Instinctive Rush’s production company, International Film, was known for treating actors well.
They did not take actors’ lodging lightly either.
This place must have cost quite a lot too.
The way they spared no money made admiration come out.
“Han, here’s the invitation. I kept it very safe!”
“Thank you.”
Taking the beer from Dominic that Emily handed him, Han Seongtae smiled.
The only invitation that allowed him to attend Dominic’s party.
This was the most valuable gift Han Seongtae had received after coming to America.
After putting the beer into the lodging’s refrigerator, Han Seongtae unpacked for the three weeks of filming in America.
How much time had passed like that?
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door of the room where he was staying.
“Yes, I’m coming.”
Han Seongtae immediately opened the door and stepped out, then smiled brightly at the familiar face.
Rogers, wearing a bright blue dress shirt, had both arms spread wide toward Han Seongtae.
“Rogers!”
“Han, welcome. I was waiting for you!”
Han Seongtae greeted him warmly.
One of the few precious colleagues and connections he had gained after coming to America.
Rogers’s visits were always welcome.
“How did you know to come here? I didn’t even tell you the date separately.”
“It’s not anyone else. Han, you’re the one coming, so how would I not know?”
At Rogers’s words, Han Seongtae laughed and let him inside.
Rogers followed Han Seongtae into the lodging.
Then Rogers waved his hand and stopped what he was doing.
“Not inside. Outside.”
“…?”
“Let’s go out. I’ll buy.”
At Rogers’s words, Han Seongtae blinked.
Where were they going, leaving the lodging behind?
At Han Seongtae, who was blinking blankly, Rogers lifted one corner of his mouth.
The place he arrived at with Rogers was a steakhouse an hour away from the lodging by car.
It was a famous restaurant that sold tomahawk steak, and you could not even enter without a reservation.
“I reserved it as soon as I heard you were coming.”
“…I didn’t tell you the exact date, so how did you know and reserve it?”
“The production company told me. When I asked, they told me the schedule right away.”
“Ah…”
At Rogers’s words, Han Seongtae immediately understood the situation.
Han Seongtae had not told him his arrival date or time.
But the production company needed to set the schedule, so they could not help but know his entry date.
Rogers had known that and asked the production company right away.
And the production company, knowing they were fellow actors and friendly with each other, had probably told him right away.
“I didn’t make you uncomfortable, did I?”
“No. I was going to tell you when I was arriving too, but I was so out of it that I couldn’t. If anything, I’m glad.”
“Okay. Then shall we eat something delicious?”
Rogers smiled in satisfaction at Han Seongtae’s answer, rubbed his hands together, and called the waiter.
After the waiter came and went a few times, before long, a deliciously grilled tomahawk steak was placed between the two of them.
“This place is a real restaurant, you know. Once you taste it, you’ll never forget this flavor.”
“Thanks. I’ll enjoy it. I’m looking forward to it.”
Han Seongtae immediately picked up his knife and fork, and gave a small sound of admiration at the texture of the meat, which cut smoothly.
Just as Rogers had said, the steak was extremely delicious.
So much so that it would easily rank among the best meat he had eaten until now.
Around the time they had filled their stomachs enough,
“So how do you feel?”
At Rogers’s sudden words, Han Seongtae tilted his head while drinking water.
How did he feel, all of a sudden?
He could not understand what Rogers meant by saying that.
“About what?”
“About becoming famous in an instant. You know everyone on the internet is talking about you right now, right?”
“Ah…”
At Rogers’s following explanation, Han Seongtae let out a small sigh.
A single photo.
Because of that, people’s reactions toward Han Seongtae had boiled over and split clearly into two sides.
One side said Han Seongtae could do well, and the other said that no matter what, Han Seongtae was not it.
It was true that both were burdensome for Han Seongtae.
“What can I do? It’s already happened. I don’t really feel any particular way. Just, I guess I should work a little harder, something like that?”
“…Hey. That’s boring. What did I expect from you? You don’t think about anything except acting.”
At the sight of his colleague shaking his head and saying it was boring, Han Seongtae let out a laugh.
What did people’s reactions matter?
In the end, the fact that he would act was not going to change.
Han Seongtae just had to focus on acting like usual.
[‘The One Who Lives and Dies by Speed’ says he is looking forward to filming, smiling brightly.]
[‘The One With a Thousand Faces’ says your acting is becoming complete, so there is nothing to worry about.]
As long as the gods were with him, his acting could not be lacking.
As soon as the day broke, Han Seongtae left the lodging.
The place he headed to right away was a filming location from Instinctive Rush.
Terminal Island.
One of the places he had wanted to visit first if he came to Los Angeles.
After taking a taxi, Han Seongtae was able to arrive at Terminal Island without difficulty.
“….”
Han Seongtae could only look around in silence.
‘It’s gone.’
The place that had appeared in Instinctive Rush was gone.
Yes, in a way, that was not strange.
Instinctive Rush was a work filmed twenty years ago.
They said mountains and rivers changed in ten years, and enough time had passed for them to change twice.
It was more unreasonable to expect the old appearance to remain.
[‘The One Who Lives and Dies by Speed’ gives a bitter smile, saying it is unfortunate but cannot be helped.]
This was something that could not be helped.
Han Seongtae stared at that place, where even the traces of the past could no longer be found.
Then, along with the gods’ messages, he turned around.
The filming locations of Instinctive Rush were not limited to Terminal Island alone.
He took a taxi and went around here and there.
Since he was moving together with the gods, he could search for the filming locations without feeling bored.
Feeling the joy of old things, Han Seongtae moved busily on foot, and then,
[‘The One Who Defined an Era’ asks what you think about going in there once.]
[‘The Actor of Eternal Youth’ mutters quietly that you might be able to find many decent clothes.]
He stopped in front of a clothing store.
A men’s clothing specialty shop.
Clothes full of strong individuality were displayed beyond the glass.
‘I have plenty of time anyway.’
He had enough money and enough time.
Han Seongtae did not hesitate and opened the door, stepping inside.
Shopping together with the gods of acting.
Jingle.
“Thank you. Please come again!”
Only after two hours had passed was Han Seongtae able to leave the store, carrying shopping bags in both hands.
‘I spent more money than I expected.’
Quite cheap prices, good clothes, and even recommendations from the gods of acting.
By the time he realized he had spent too much money, it was already too late.
Han Seongtae looked at the shopping bags filling his hands and let out a hollow laugh.
It seemed he would not have to worry about clothes for the next ten years.
—Jung Dusik: Seongtae, you’re still not back? We have filming tomorrow. Wouldn’t it be better to come back early and rest?
Looking at the text from Jung Dusik, Han Seongtae nodded.
He had indeed been wandering around outside for too long.
Even for tomorrow’s filming, he needed to return and rest now.
‘Still, it was a good time.’
He had spent a lot of money and time, but he had gained just as much.
Han Seongtae immediately moved for the sake of filming.
The set of Rampage, which he had returned to after nearly a month.
Looking at the vehicles filling the set, Han Seongtae smiled slightly.
It was spectacular no matter when he saw it.
Feeling as if his hands were itching because he wanted to drive right away, Han Seongtae lifted his arms, loosened his shoulders, and walked forward.
“Welcome, Han.”
“Ah, Director. Hello.”
“Han!”
“Rogers, Ivy, it’s been a while too. Have you been well?”
The two people beside Britton Lee came toward Han Seongtae warmly and exchanged greetings.
Looking at them, Han Seongtae smiled.
It had not even been a full month.
But during that time, the three of them had grown fairly close.
“Seeing my actors get along so well makes me, as the director, feel good too.”
Watching them, Britton Lee spoke jokingly.
At his words, Han Seongtae, Rogers, and Ivy laughed.
After talking with them, Han Seongtae walked toward the car he would ride.
It was not an old, shabby car.
It was a sleek, well-shaped car.
Just looking at it made his hands itch and his mood improve.
He felt like he wanted to drive it immediately.
“…”
At that moment, Han Seongtae turned his head at the gaze he felt from the side and discovered Michael looking at him with displeasure.
Michael met Han Seongtae’s eyes, clicked his tongue, and left.
Han Seongtae no longer paid attention to him.
Because he knew there was nothing Michael could do to him directly.
“We’ll begin filming.”
At the staff member’s words, Han Seongtae got into the car.
Vroom. Vrooom.
His heart pounded noisily along with the engine.
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