“I didn’t realize Actor Han had such an excellent eye for people.”
Han Seongtae smiled at Yeon Jaehun’s words.
The two had stepped away for a moment and were drinking coffee together.
They could not remain away for long because Kim Minseok was currently looking after the two actresses.
Still, they had enough time to speak privately.
“I learned a few things while working with you, Director Yeon. I learned a great deal during the auditions for Haru. It’s thanks to that.”
“You’re being modest. I hardly did anything for you back then.”
“There is plenty to learn simply by watching and listening from beside someone.”
Yeon Jaehun let out a pleased chuckle at Han Seongtae’s words.
“Still, I feel sorry for Kim Soyul. She’s a good actress. She even made time for us, yet we have to give her bad news.”
“Ah.”
Han Seongtae smiled awkwardly at Yeon Jaehun’s words.
What they needed was an actress for the role of Lee Mihee.
That was why they had brought in the two actresses to see which one was better suited to the role.
Now that they had reached a consensus on Park Yeeun, Kim Soyul inevitably had to be let go.
‘She really is too good an actress to lose.’
Han Seongtae tapped his coffee cup and briefly became lost in thought.
Kim Soyul was a very good actress, so he did not want to simply send her away like this.
What should they do?
“Ah, don’t we still have one more role left?”
“Which role?”
“The role of Jin Yurim. I think it would suit Kim Soyul well.”
“Ah…!”
Yeon Jaehun nodded as though he had just realized the same thing.
Jin Yurim was Lee Mihee’s friend and a highly appealing character.
Han Seongtae had suggested her because he thought the role would suit Kim Soyul, and Yeon Jaehun also reacted positively.
“Then that settles it. Let’s go right now.”
Yeon Jaehun sprang to his feet as though the problem that had been troubling him had suddenly been resolved.
Han Seongtae smiled as he watched him.
“Thank you. Thank you so much!”
After hearing the news from Yeon Jaehun, Kim Soyul bowed deeply again and again.
Warm smiles formed on the faces of the people watching her.
The roles were decided.
Time passed quickly.
Now that the auditions were over, the contracts followed without delay.
All that remained was filming.
“There’s only a week left now. Have you packed everything?”
“I’ve been packing a little at a time. There’s still a week left, so there’s no need to rush, right?”
Han Seongtae smiled as he answered Jung Dusik, who had come to his house.
Jung Dusik nodded, agreeing with him.
They had already taken care of everything urgent in Korea.
All that remained was to travel to America for the production press conference for Rampage.
Bzzzt.
—Luna: I heard you’re coming to America. You bought dinner last time, so I’ll pay this time. Contact me when you come to America.
Han Seongtae’s smile deepened at the message from Luna Walker.
They traveled to America in business class.
Jung Dusik must have been extremely tired, because he was sleeping beside him and even snoring.
Wearing earplugs and reading his script throughout the journey, Han Seongtae finally arrived at his destination after twenty hours.
The moment he stepped off the plane, Han Seongtae turned on his smartphone and checked the messages he had received.
His smile grew when he saw one person’s message among them.
—Luna: I’m at the airport now.
The message had arrived five minutes earlier.
Han Seongtae quickly looked around and spotted Luna waving toward him.
He immediately approached her and greeted her.
“It’s been a while, Luna. Have you been well?”
“Yes, I’ve been well. What about you, Han? Have you been well?”
“Yes, I have.”
They exchanged greetings.
Jung Dusik was moving the luggage with Emily and had said that he would go to the accommodations first.
Han Seongtae walked side by side with Luna in the direction of her car.
“I didn’t expect you to come and meet me personally.”
“Han is coming. Who else would come to meet you if I didn’t?”
Han Seongtae laughed at her words.
He followed her toward the car.
One vehicle stood out conspicuously in the airport parking lot.
It was the blue supercar that could be called Brian’s symbol in Instinctive Rush.
Jingle.
She handed Han Seongtae the car key she had been holding.
“I already insured it.”
“Luna?”
“You said you wanted to drive this car last time. I heard you don’t have anything scheduled today, so you should take it for a drive.”
At her words, Han Seongtae silently stared at the car key in his hand.
[‘The One Who Lives and Dies by Speed’ says there is an incredible track he knows.]
One of the gods of acting had been reacting intensely for some time now.
Han Seongtae laughed at that reaction and tightly gripped the key.
“Thank you. I’ve always wanted to drive it.”
The supercar known as Brian’s car was something a person could not purchase even if they had the money.
It had been discontinued long ago, and as Instinctive Rush became famous, the value of the remaining cars had naturally increased severalfold.
An opportunity to drive a car like that.
He could hardly call himself Han Seongtae if he allowed such an opportunity to pass him by.
Vrooom.
Han Seongtae’s smile deepened at the sound of the engine as soon as he started it.
Yes, this was the feeling.
He drove the car out of the airport.
Vrooom!
The blue supercar raced along the American roads.
Driving that would have been difficult in Korea was possible in America.
After pushing the car past 200 kilometers per hour, Han Seongtae glanced to the side.
He could see Luna’s hair streaming in the wind.
“Han, next time, let’s drive in Korea. I’m curious about Korean roads.”
“Sounds good. You’re always welcome, Luna.”
Han Seongtae smiled and nodded at her words.
How many people would try to stop Luna if she said she was coming to Korea?
At the very least, no one around Han Seongtae would dislike it.
After driving until he was satisfied, Han Seongtae gradually slowed down.
Driving fast was enjoyable, but Luna’s voice was being drowned out by the excessive speed.
“Han, Rampage is being released this time.”
“Yes.”
“I’m really looking forward to it. I think you’ll show everyone some incredible acting.”
“You can look forward to it. I prepared extremely hard.”
Han Seongtae was confident that Rampage would achieve good results.
They had all worked hard to prepare it, and the final product was just as good.
“Over there, Han. That’s the best restaurant I know!”
The dinner he shared with her was delicious.
The day of the press conference arrived in no time.
After coming to America, resting for a while, and practicing his script, the day of the press conference had arrived before he knew it.
Han Seongtae put on a suit for the first time in a while and left his accommodations.
“Oh, Han. You look seriously handsome today.”
“Thanks. You look good too, Rogers.”
“Right? I went through a lot to get something this special for today.”
Han Seongtae smiled awkwardly at Rogers’s overflowing confidence.
He could see what Rogers was wearing in the driver’s seat.
A leopard-print suit.
It was clearly the same kind of suit Han Seongtae wore, yet Rogers’s presence was in a league of its own.
“But… is that real tiger skin?”
“What do you think? It looks real, doesn’t it? Do you know how hard I worked to find this pattern?”
“It is incredible. It really does look real.”
“That’s a relief. Does it suit me?”
“Yeah. It suits you.”
Perhaps it suited him even better precisely because Rogers was wearing it.
Han Seongtae was confident that he could pull off that suit himself.
He glanced into the driver’s area.
Even Rogers’s shoes had the same leopard print.
Han Seongtae had already thought Rogers was an unusual person.
Looking at him now, he seemed even more unusual.
“How do you feel? This is your first production press conference in Hollywood, right?”
“I’m just looking forward to it a little.”
“Looking forward to it? You’re not worried?”
“There’s nothing to worry about. Considering how hard we worked, it would be stranger to feel nervous.”
“That’s true.”
“I’m only curious about how big a record we’ll set this time.”
Rogers burst into hearty laughter at Han Seongtae’s words.
The two laughed as they headed toward the press conference.
When they arrived, the venue was crowded with reporters.
“Oh, Han Seongtae is over there!”
“Take pictures!”
“Han! Please answer just one question!”
“What led you to participate in Rampage?”
“I heard Britton Lee visited Korea to cast Han in Rampage. Is that true?”
The instant Han Seongtae appeared, the reporters thrust their lenses toward him.
Han Seongtae remained perfectly composed as he watched them.
“I’m sorry. I’ll answer questions during the press conference.”
“Just one! Please answer just one!”
“Han! Mr. Han!”
The reporters bombarded him with questions.
Han Seongtae smiled at them and continued walking.
He was about to enter the building when another question came from behind him.
“Why did you sing the song ‘He’ on The Light Show?”
Han Seongtae paused.
They were asking why he had sung “He”?
Han Seongtae turned toward the reporters and opened his mouth.
“Because he is my mentor.”
The reporters’ reactions became even more intense at Han Seongtae’s words.
Without answering anything further, he entered the building.
“Sometimes, it feels like trouble follows you wherever you go.”
“That’s part of my charm.”
Han Seongtae laughed and shrugged.
Rogers shook his head as he watched him.
—Now, we will begin the production press conference for Rampage.
Under the host’s direction, the production press conference for Rampage began.
Because they had rented an enormous theater, a large number of people filled the seats.
Han Seongtae and the other actors were seated in the front row.
The film began.
“Ah…”
“That’s insane.”
“How can he act that well?”
Sounds of astonishment came from the audience.
Their amazement intensified during the scene in which Han Seongtae shook off the police.
One astonishing scene followed another.
The film eventually ended.
For a while, the audience stared blankly at the darkened screen.
Only after the theater lights came back on did they begin applauding and cheering.
[‘The One Who Lives and Dies by Speed’ calls him a capable director as expected and marvels at the direction.]
[‘The One with a Thousand Faces’ is certain that a film of this caliber can easily contend for an Academy Award.]
[‘The One Who Defined an Era’ applauds, saying that a remarkable film has been made.]
Under the gazes of both the people and the gods, Han Seongtae stood before the reporters.
The actors beside him answered the reporters’ questions.
The reporters asked numerous questions relating to the film.
Han Seongtae also calmly answered their questions alongside the other actors.
Because they had received the questions in advance, answering them was not difficult.
Then came the final question.
“This question is for Han. Is there an actor you respect above all others?”
Han Seongtae smiled at the question.
His answer had already been decided.
Han Seongtae slowly opened his mouth.
[‘The One Who Made Laughter from Tragedy’ smiles contentedly as he listens to your answer.]
[‘The Actor of Eternal Youth’ looks at you and smiles.]
Amid the gods’ pleased reactions, the camera flashes brightly illuminated his eyes.
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