Chapter 198

It was the day that Evan Block and Rachel Hill left.

They wanted to go to the airport together, but they decided to say goodbye at the accommodation because there were too many people.

Seo-jun handed over the food and gifts he had packed and hugged Evan Block and Rachel Hill tightly.

They also hugged Seo-jun, who had grown a lot, but still looked like a young child.

“See you at the filming of Shadowman 3.”

“Take care, Jun.”

“Have a safe trip. It was really nice to meet you.”

Evan Block and Rachel Hill also greeted Lee Min-joon and Seo Eun-hye, and shook hands with Ahn Da-ho and Seo Eun-chan, who had worked hard.

“Thank you for having us.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“It’s all thanks to my nephew’s good connections.”

Everyone laughed at Seo Eun-chan’s words.

They didn’t expect that the job that started with Seo-jun’s recommendation would grow so big.

But there was still a bigger job left. 

The real storm would come after the release.

They laughed as if they had given up, thinking of the phone calls and messages that would pour in.

Now that they had finished supporting the two Hollywood actors, Cocoa Entertainment’s second team planned to enjoy a long paid vacation until the release of Escape, after finishing their work at the Blue Dragon Film Awards.

Evan Block smiled and said to Seo Eun-chan, who was laughing.

“I look forward to working with you again.”

“…Yes?”

Seo Eun-chan tilted his head as he watched Evan Block and Rachel Hill get into the black-tinted car.

[Title: Evan Block, Rachel Hill look-alike foreigners in spring.]

I work part-time at a convenience store in a residential area, and I see foreigners who look like Evan Block and Rachel Hill in spring.

There are not many foreigners here, so I was surprised at first (I don’t speak English haha) but they both spoke Korean well. 

I thought it might be Evan Block if only the guy spoke well, but the girl also spoke well… so I guess not.

They seemed to come for a few days, but now they don’t come anymore. Who were they?

-What were they wearing?

=: They wore baseball caps with hoodies over them, masks, and just training pants. I never saw their faces clearly.

=…Both of them?

=: Yes

=Their outfits are too… I also wear like that when I go to the convenience store in front of my house haha

=They don’t seem like 22. Maybe they are just foreigners living in that neighborhood?

-Maybe they came from another region to visit Seoul for a while? Like Airbnb or something.

=That makes sense. Foreigners all look similar haha

-What did they buy?

=: Various things. They seemed to explore the convenience store every time they came and bought different things.

The post had a crazy number of views because of the title ‘Evan Block and Rachel Hill’, but soon lost interest from people because of the ‘shabby outfits’ and ‘fluent Korean’. 

A few months later, the witness account of the two Hollywood actors became buried.

***

Clunk clunk.

The car rattled on the unpaved road.

“They’re filming in this mountain?”

“Isn’t it too far?”

“They said it’s close for an outdoor set.”

Ju-hee was grumbling as she headed to the Escape set with her parents. 

The navigation showed that the set was getting closer. 

Ju-hee’s dad tapped his fingers on the steering wheel.

“I wonder if there’s a proper parking lot here.”

“Yeah… Oh? There’s a new road from here?”

The unpaved road ended and a neatly paved road appeared. 

The still vivid asphalt showed that it had not been long since the construction was done.

The car followed the clean road to the set. 

The road was neat, but so was the parking lot. 

The spacious and clean parking lot had several large vehicles parked, but there were still plenty of spaces left.

“It feels like we came to a tourist spot. It’s so neat and well done.”

“It feels like we need to buy tickets or something.”

If it weren’t for the staff moving their luggage, it would have felt like that. Ju-hee got out of the car and looked around, then spotted her friend under a tree avoiding the sun.

“Jae-han!”

“Ju-hee! You’re here?”

“Why are you outside instead of inside?”

“I felt a bit claustrophobic because I was nervous.”

“I see. These are my mom and dad. And this is Kang Jae-han, my classmate!”

“Nice to meet you. You’re the one who filmed with her?”

“Yes. Did you come alone?”

“No. My mom dropped me off. She had something to do, so she left right away.”

“Then do you want to go back with us later?”

Ju-hee’s mom asked, and Jae-han smiled and said.

“It’s okay. I have a friend who will give me a ride.”

“You have another friend who’s filming with you?”

“There’s Han Ji-ho in the next class.”

‘There’s one more person, but…’

Ju-hee smiled mischievously, imagining her parents’ surprised faces.

Without knowing their daughter’s thoughts, Ju-hee’s parents looked around the set. 

They had been here a few times thanks to Ju-hee, but it always felt new. 

It felt even more so because it was a zombie movie set.

Then, someone spoke to them.

“Hello. I’m Han Ji-ho’s mother, the child actor.”

“Oh. Hello.”

“I heard you’re in the same school as Ji-ho.”

Han Ji-ho’s mother started the conversation, and the guardians of the child actors gathered in one place. 

The guardians talked about the articles about Escape, the lack of publicity, and the reliable lead actors.

“They’re here? These are the kids I filmed with for the commercial last time.”

“Nice to meet you.”

The five child actors also greeted each other.

Bang!

Then, Jae-han, Ju-hee, and Ji-ho’s phones rang at the same time. 

The three kids’ eyes sparkled as they looked at their phones.

“They’re here!”

“Huh? Who’s here?”

It seemed that they had contacted the inside as well, as people who were inside the building started to come out to the parking lot.

When Choi Dae-man, the director, and Park Jae-min, the assistant director, came out, the staff who were moving their luggage looked at them. 

The guardians made a fuss.

“Ji-ho! Isn’t that the director? I think I saw him in an article?”

“Ju-hee! Don’t you have to greet him?”

“Not yet.”

“Huh?”

“They’re coming!”

Everyone was looking at Choi Dae-man, the director, but there were people who were looking at the entrance of the road. 

They were the people who knew who was coming now.

Then, a black car appeared at the entrance of the road. 

The large car was black-tinted, and it looked expensive even at a glance.

A car that people of a certain profession often drive around.

“Isn’t that a celebrity car? Who’s coming today?”

“Yeah. It looks really expensive.”

The staff and guardians whispered as the car smoothly parked on one side of the parking lot.

Choi Dae-man and Park Jae-min headed there. Everyone looked at them with curious expressions as Choi Dae-man opened his mouth.

“I’ll introduce them first.”

The car door opened and someone showed up.

Ju-hee and Jae-han waved their hands with bright smiles at their friend’s appearance. 

Ji-ho, who had heard about Seo-jun’s appearance yesterday, explained to the other child actors who were stunned by his appearance.

The staff who were moving the luggage, the staff who were looking out the window, Juhee’s parents and guardians, they all stared blankly at the actor who got out of the car.

Director Choi Dae-man opened his mouth with a smile.

“This is the lead actor of Escape, Lee Seo-jun.”

“Hello, I’m Lee Seo-jun. I look forward to working with you!”

!!!

A silent shock swept through the set.

The lead actor of Escape? Lee Seo-jun?

“…Juhee, did you have another lead actor?”

“Yes. There’s a role called Go Ju-won that Seo-jun is playing.”

“My daughter… you knew?”

They only blamed their daughter for hiding this fact for a brief moment.

They were still stunned by the appearance of the superstar from an unexpected place. 

They finally realized what Juhee said and cheered silently.

If we just post that Lee Seo-jun is in this movie, it will be a hit!

Should we do that? I think one post on the cafe would be enough!

Photos. Let’s take photos too!

The guardians, who were full of enthusiasm to promote the movie, were told by Director Choi Dae-man about the promotion plan and asked to be careful not to leak anything about Seo-jun. 

He also told the staff who were still in a daze.

The guardians were disappointed by Director Choi Dae-man’s words, but they were not worried about the box office at all. 

Rather, they looked around with sharp eyes, afraid that someone might reveal the secret.

We have to keep it a secret. That way it will be more successful!

Yes! That’s how Spring Play became a hit.

They were well aware of the story of Spring Play, a children’s play that had Lee Da-jin in it. 

And they also knew how sweet the reward was for keeping Na Jin’s secret.

I hope we can be like Lee Da-jin!

Lee Da-jin, who has been active as an acting actress since then. 

The most successful actor among the child actors, except for Seo-jun. 

And behind that was Spring Play, a children’s play that hid Na Jin’s secret.

Dreaming of becoming the second Lee Da-jin, the guardians zipped their mouths.

***

After the introduction, Seo-jun headed to Jaehan and Juhee who were waving their hands eagerly.

“You both came early?”

“I was so nervous that I woke up too early.”

“Me too. My mom and dad didn’t sleep well either.”

Seo-jun and Jaehan laughed at Juhee’s words.

“Oh, Jaehan. Dahyo hyung said he can drop you off at your house on his way. Do you want him to drop you off at your house?”

“Thanks. That would be nice.”

“It would have been nice if we came together too….”

“Think about the eyes that swarmed when Seo-jun got out of the car earlier. I was shaking too.”

“Really?”

“Didn’t you see? They all looked at Seo-jun only.”

Seo-jun tilted his head at Juhee’s words.

“Hmm. I’m always like that, so I don’t know?”

This superstar…!

Jaehan and Juhee poked Seo-jun’s ribs at his cheeky words. 

Seo-jun and the kids burst into laughter.

The kids who saw them laughed and grabbed Jiho’s arm. 

They were happy but also scared to act with Lee Seo-jun, a Hollywood actor.

“Jiho.”

“Yeah?”

“I think I forgot all my lines because I’m nervous.”

Jiho nodded sympathetically at his friend’s words. He felt the same way when he first acted with Seo-jun. 

Practice was the best thing to do in this situation.

“Then shall we go practice together?”

“Can we?”

“Seo-jun, can we practice together for a bit before filming?”

“Yeah!”

Seo-jun nodded his head readily at Jiho’s words.

“Assistant director!”

Park Jae-min, who was about to follow Director Choi Dae-man into the building, turned his head at Seo-jun’s call and approached him with a curious look.

He called the assistant director! The kids’ eyes widened.

“Seo-jun, what is it?”

“Do you have an empty room where we can practice our script with our friends?”

Park Jae-min thought for a moment and told him about an empty room. 

He also told him about the place where the staff were using as a lounge.

“There are snacks and drinks too. You can eat as much as you want. If you practice hard and make a good movie, we’ll be happier.”

“Thank you.”

Park Jae-min smiled warmly at Seo-jun’s thanks and looked at the kids.

The kids swallowed nervously.

“Seo-jun’s friends? There are some actors from Yeoul Arts Middle School, right?”

“Yes. I’m Yang Juhee!”

“Kang, Kang Jaehan!”

“Han Jiho!”

The three kids bowed at the mention of Yeoul Arts Middle School. 

Seo-jun introduced the other child actors from different schools. 

Park Jae-min listened to the kids’ confident introductions and opened his mouth.

“If you’re Seo-jun’s friends, your acting must be amazing… Ouch!”

“Hello! Director!”

Thanks to Director Choi Dae-man’s smash and Seo-jun’s loud greeting, the kids didn’t hear what the assistant director was about to say.

‘Nice timing! Director!’

‘Sorry. This kid has no filter.’

The director and the actor exchanged a brief eye contact and laughed. 

They introduced the child actors to the director. 

The kids saw Seo-jun, who was chatting with the director like a friend, as a real top actor.

“By the way, Kim Jukyung is also Seo-jun’s friend, right?”

“Yes. She applied for this audition but failed.”

“I guess it’s because the disaster situation is similar. She looked too much like Han Geul-im.”

Seo-jun nodded his head. He thought so too.

“But she’s good at acting, so she’ll pass other works.”

“Yes. I’ll tell her.”

“Okay. You can relax until filming.”

Director Choi Dae-man smiled at the tense child actors and dragged Park Jae-min into the building. 

Park Jae-min, who was rolling his eyes, closed his mouth at the fierce look of Director Choi Dae-man.

“Be careful what you say. Seo-jun is Seo-jun, and kids are kids. Do you think actors like Seo-jun are common?”

Park Jae-min nodded his head gloomily. He was short-sighted.

“Tell the other staff to be careful too. Kids get hurt by a light word at this age. Do you want them to quit acting forever because of your words?”

“Ugh. Sorry.”

“Not to me. Be nice to the kids.”

“I got it.”

Park Jae-min nodded his head at Director Choi Dae-man’s words.