Become a Star - Chapter 108

“It’s true, and what do you mean unnie is going through hardships? The place she’s living at is better than my dorm….” Kim Tae-Hwa said.

“Oh my! How could you two be so different despite being twins? Your sister always talks nicely and is affectionate, but you’re so cold, and what did you say? The place she’s living at is better? Do you think she should live in a place like yours when she’s making music? Also, did I tell you to live in a dorm? You should just live at a nice place too,” her mother said.

Blaming her sister out of anger when she voluntarily chose to move into a dorm had Kim Tae-Hwa’s mother scoffing at Kim Tae-Hwa for being ridiculous.

“Excluding my tuition and living expenses, I send the rest of the money to you, so how can I live in a better place?” Kim Tae-Hwa asked.

At this point, Woo-Jin felt dumbfounded. As a third-person listening in on the conversation, he was speechless after hearing the mother had come all this way just to complain how Kim Tae-Hwa didn’t send back a lot of money this month. Then she even told her to live in a nice place?

“Are you trying to show off that you have money?” her mother asked.

“I’m telling you that I’m in a tough situation, not trying to show off,” Kim Tae-Hwa answered.

When her mother’s voice gradually sounded sharper, Kim Tae-Hwa mumbled quietly as she hunched her shoulders.

“Who told you to go to college? We told you before that we couldn’t support you since Tae-In wanted to study the violin. We even suggested that you attend a college in Gyeonggi-Do so you can continue staying at home, but you moved to Seoul to attend the University of Korea out of pure selfishness, so you do things on your own! This is my first time seeing a child trying to suck out every last bit from her parents! You should’ve listened and become a government official. Even if you graduate from a famous college, kids these days end up in civil service anyway, so why are you wasting time like this? Had you become a government official, all of us, including Tae-In, would’ve been happy,” her mother explained.

Woo-Jin noticed how Kim Tae-Hwa clenched her fist while listening to her mother’s complaints with her head down. She controlled her emotions by clenching and loosening her fist a few times, but in the end, she couldn’t endure it anymore and spoke to her mother in a repressed voice.

“If we’re in a difficult situation because of Tae-In’s study abroad expenses, then why not ask Tae-Hyuk to get a part-time job too? He’s a college student now, so he can….”

But even after gathering the courage to comment, she watched her mother’s reaction, which caused her voice to become quieter.

“What? You want the little boy to do what?” Kim Tae-Hwa’s mother asked.

“I got a part-time job at his age and helped the family while earning my own living expenses,” she told her.

“What are you talking about? You never did that. Here you go again with your nonsense. Anyways, you should get that mythomania fixed first. Do you think I’m doing this because I hate you? I’m doing this so that you can grow up to be a better person,” her mother explained.

Even though Woo-Jin didn’t know a lot about Kim Tae-Hwa, he at least knew that she didn’t have mythomania, and during this time, the sound of her mother telling her to stop lying filled the parking lot. Kim Tae-Hwa’s mother was pretty experienced in crushing a person’s self-esteem.

“I went through so much pain giving birth to all of you, so all of you are precious to me,” she said.

Her mother suddenly changed the subject and started comforting her daughter by telling her about her twin sister’s hardships as she had to compete against her wealthy friends. She also mentioned how her brother was still too young and immature to get a part-time job.

“I’m doing this because I trust you, and since we’re old, we can’t rely on anyone. Your sister will probably live abroad for the rest of her life, and I heard that when you get married, the husband lives with his wife’s parents, so I’m sure Tae-Hyuk will do that when he gets married later. So you’re the only person we can rely on, and the only reason why I was so mad today was that you didn’t pick up my call,” her mother explained.

After her mother finished talking, Kim Tae-Hwa quietly apologized.

“Make sure to pick up my phone calls next time, and I’ll let it slide this month. Starting next month, you have to send the same amount you did in the previous months. We have plans as well, and if you suddenly send less than what you normally send, how are we supposed to make up for the deficit?” her mother said.

“I understand,” Kim Tae-Hwa said.

“That’s my good daughter,” her mother told her.

Her violent energy was no longer present, and she patted her daughter’s back while hugging her. As she fixed Kim Tae-Hwa’s messy hair, she even asked kindly if it hurt a lot earlier. This extreme change in the mood caused Woo-Jin to have goosebumps.

“I’ll be leaving now, so go back to work,” her mother told her.

Kim Tae-Hwa’s mother displayed the face of the most kind-hearted mother and left the parking lot while waving her hand. After seeing her mother off, who didn’t look back once, Kim Tae-Hwa remained in the same spot and then hugged herself.

“It’s cold,” she said.

The cold weather in early March was still chilly for her.

Since Kim Tae-Hwa’s mother left, Woo-Jin thought she probably wouldn’t get hurt anymore, so he quietly left the scene. He couldn’t really comfort her since it was her family affair, nor could he badmouth her mother. More than that, he felt like he eavesdropped on something he shouldn’t have and felt terrible towards Kim Tae-Hwa. In their previous conversation, he told Kim Tae-Hwa not to overstep her boundaries. But here, he was now doing the same, and it made him extremely uncomfortable.

After texting Hyun-Min that everything was fine, Woo-Jin sighed. He now understood why Kim Tae-Hwa looked dark and lacked confidence, and he pitied her. Unfortunately, she had high expectations and hope from her parents, who didn’t love her. He realized this when he watched Kim Tae-Hwa meekly submitting once her mother treated her a bit kindly. He was frustrated by how she couldn’t give up what she should be giving up and wasn’t walking with confidence wherever she went.

He suddenly recalled Director Yoon Seon’s words.

‘And I want to tell this to the other Prince Myeong-Hwans that are living in this world. To enjoy the spring that comes into their lives and that it’s not their fault for not being loved, but rather, the fault is on the people that don’t love them.’

Kim Tae-Hwa was already living in spring, and no matter where she went, she wouldn’t get that kind of treatment. The inferiority complex that she wasn’t loved by her family crushed her self-esteem.

For the first time, Woo-Jin called Director Yoon Seon first.

“Tell me, can a person’s life really change through one movie?”

When Woo-Jin asked, Director Yoon Seon answered immediately without any hesitation.

— That’s why I make movies and the reason why I’m working hard.

***

Not many people visited a photo exhibition at a small art museum. Since the museum opened the small exhibition and not a famous photographer, only the usual visitors went to see it. Because of that, Woo-Jin could freely enjoy the photos since he was at a place that didn’t have a lot of people.

Woo-Jin visited this place on an impulse. When he looked at the culture promotion section on the newspaper corner, he was moved by the title printed there. He didn’t visit because he knew the photographer or was interested in photography. However, the title, ‘The People I Love’ and the explanation underneath piqued his interest.

It was supposedly a collection of the photographer’s loved ones and strangers living in unfamiliar cities. He understood the former but became curious whether the latter part of the collection really comprised the people the photographer loved. In what perspective was the photographer looking at them to be included among the people they loved.

That small curiosity was why Woo-Jin visited the museum and why he intentionally didn’t look at the exhibition pamphlet. Instead, when he entered the gallery, Woo-Jin followed the arrangements of the photos and slowly walked while admiring the work. He knew that the models in the pictures earlier were the photographer’s family. There were different pictures where old and wrinkled faces were looking at the photographer with affection and trust, a woman in her mid-30s that looked back with a smile while changing flowerpots, and a young girl looked as if she was asking, ‘What are you doing?’ while holding a puppy.

The earlier photos clearly showed the exhibition’s theme because of the emotional exchange between the photographer and the models. Just by looking at them, it was obvious that they trusted and loved each other.

And the photos that he saw next were the ones that made Woo-Jin curious: an old couple they met on the country road, people of an unknown city walking fast with their backs against the morning sun, hikers they had met on the mountain path, and the backs of the people that were looking at the sunrise.

Woo-Jin was certain that the photographer and those people didn’t know each other. Either they didn’t notice the camera or were wary of the camera and expressed their fear towards a stranger. However, the same people either smiled awkwardly or waved their hands later. While the photographer was taking such two pictures, Woo-Jin was able to imagine how the photographer spent their time with these people.

There was a common misconception about the word love. The photographer was expressing this great and intense emotion that humans possessed through different perspectives. Although everyone’s emotional weight was different, it seemed like the photographer wanted to show that the love for mankind was also basically a form of love. Their warm gaze towards strangers made them look loveable, and even though they weren’t interacting with each other, the people in the photos were loved depending on how the photographer felt.

“Not bad,” Woo-Jin commented.

The last photo was a scene of a fire where a child was rescued by a firefighter, and after discovering someone, they were smiling brightly. That was when Director Yoon Seon approached Woo-Jin and spoke.

“The child must’ve been staring at their parents, right?”

“Probably. It’s a relief that the child didn’t get injured badly and their parents are safe,” the director answered.

As they didn’t know the truth outside of the photo, people read the story within and guessed it was a happy ending, seeing the houses in the background hadn’t collapsed. The photo caused viewers to worry and feel relief for the people inside the picture, and even if it wasn’t love, it was a moment where they felt a small amount of affection.

Before they knew it, the photographer changed the title from ‘The People I Love’ to ‘The People We Love.’

“I was surprised that you wanted to meet at a place like this, but thanks to you, I found a great photographer. You have good taste,” Director Yoon Seon said.

“It’s nothing. This is my first time attending a photo exhibition. I picked it because of the title, so I can’t really accept your compliment as it was sheer coincidence,” Woo-Jin said.

“Then, you have a good eye,” the director complimented.

Woo-Jin couldn’t help but laugh because it felt like he was pressuring him to pick his movie since he had a good eye. The director must’ve also appreciated the exhibition because he also purchased a photograph when Woo-Jin bought one. The exhibition staff recognized Woo-Jin and tried to give it for free, but he insisted on paying for it. However, he didn’t decline when the people around him asked for his autograph and to take pictures with him.

“Should we go for a walk?” the director asked.

As soon as they exited the museum, Director Yoon Seon suggested walking around. The art museum was located where the cultural street was developed, and murals and small props decorated the streets, so there was a lot to look at. Also, the weather was rarely this nice and warm, so Woo-Jin gladly accepted his suggestion. It wasn’t crowded since it was a weekday afternoon, so it was enough for Woo-Jin to freely enjoy the walk just by wearing a hat and sunglasses.

While they walked in silence, Woo-Jin was the first one to talk.

“For what reason did you pick me for the Prince Myeong-Hwan role, Director Yoon?”

“You’re the actor that I wanted,” he answered.

“For example?” Woo-Jin asked.

When Woo-Jin asked, Director Yoon Seon looked as if he was caught off guard, so he tried to buy some time by looking around but ended up sighing. Since he wasn’t a good liar, he decided to be honest.

“Your acting and looks were acceptable. What I was concerned about was whether you had the vibe that’s suitable for a historical movie and whether you’ll be able to express Prince Myeong-Hwan’s abilities properly without being awkward. So despite other people’s suggestions, I’d kept you as my second choice,” the director answered.

In the end, Director Yoon acknowledged the information written in the article a few days ago and spoke while scratching his neck awkwardly.

“There’s only one thing that a director expects from an actor. It’s how realistically the actor can portray the character that we created! So even though I sent you the casting proposal before I knew that you were Hanryang Doryeong, at that time, I honestly thought that it wouldn’t matter even if you declined,” the director said.

Director Yoon Seon reflected on his emotions and joy when Hanryang Doryeong’s identity was revealed and confessed truthfully. He found Hanryang Doryeong to possess the elements needed for Prince Myeong-Hwan and said he wanted Chae Woo-Jin because of his ability to act out the prince.

“No matter how much material I collect and how close to the truth I get about Prince Myeong-Hwan of Red Enemy, he can’t be 100 percent perfect. I acknowledge that my fantasy and expectations may twist the truth, but since this isn’t a documentary, it’s not a bad idea to slightly glamor him up a bit, right? I wanted an actor that could express my Prince Myeong-Hwan the best, and I found that expectation in you,” Director Yoon Seon told him.

Prince Myeong-Hwan of Red Enemy was a historical figure and, in the end, was a role and character. Since he had already committed to it, Director Yoon couldn’t give up his desire to make the prince even more perfect. Even though he was a historical figure, the director stressed that the prince in the movie was a fictional character and expressed the same opinion that Hyun-Min had.

If he simply wanted a good actor who could act out Prince Myeong-Hwan, Red Enemy would have been released long ago. But since he wanted more than that, he claimed that it had to be Chae Woo-Jin.