Chapter 19

As I reflect on my memories, I clearly remember that such a clause was included in the appearance contract.

The clause stating that even after all the filming of the movie is complete, as a cast member, I must cooperate as much as possible for movie promotions.

However, at the time I signed the contract for the role of Kim Jiji, all I could think about was acting.

At some point, I had come to firmly believe that my only duty as a child actor was to portray Kim Jiji in front of the camera.

So, after successfully wrapping up the last shoot, I thought I would return to kindergarten to play hospital games with my classmates or continue my original routine of taking singing classes from Daulby, who had just returned from a successful overseas tour.

“Um, Ha Eun. I received a call from Makeup Future…”

“Huh?”

It wasn’t until Ju Jung-yun informed me that I had to attend the film’s press conference that I realized an actor’s workplace isn’t just the shooting set.

Thus, as time passed, the day of the press conference for the next-door neighbor’s film finally arrived.

“…My daughter should have been a model, not an actress.”

I headed to the makeup shop early in the morning for the first time in a long while, adorned in a way that matched the image associated with the word “actress.”

In stark contrast to the simple appearance of Kim Jiji.

A white blouse and a navy skirt.

Voluminous hair.

A face perfectly described as elegant.

It was understandable why my mother’s camera shutter click wouldn’t stop just moments ago.

However, perhaps it was because the power of makeup, which typically created a modest appearance, had this time enhanced my looks.

‘…Will they not recognize me?’

There was quite a gap compared to my appearance over the past few months as Kim Jiji.

It would be understandable if Director Kwon Jong-hyuk and Kang Seon-woo mistook me for someone else.

Still, it felt awkward.

It seemed I needed a bit more time to accept that the girl reflected in front of me in the full-length mirror was indeed me without any hesitation.

Anyway, there were only about two hours left until the press conference for the next-door neighbor’s film.

So, I headed to the venue, Apgujeong OGV.

Even as I arrived at the underground parking lot of OGV and walked to the elevator connected to the building above.

As I exited the elevator and made my way to the predetermined location I had received via text earlier, I couldn’t stop thinking about what Director Kwon Jong-hyuk and Kang Seon-woo would say upon seeing me transformed.

So maybe that’s why.

‘…Why are there so many people?’

I was slightly taken aback by the crowd that filled the interior of OGV, resembling a theme park on Children’s Day.

Fortunately, I didn’t face any issues thanks to staff members who had been waiting for me and guided me to the waiting room.

“Hmm, it seems Kang Seon-woo is indeed Kang Seon-woo… So crowded.”

From the staff who was leading me to the waiting room, I belatedly realized why so many people had come to OGV so early in the morning.

It was five minutes later that I encountered the person who was the reason for the multitude that gathered at OGV.

“Hello, Ha Eun. It’s been a while~.”

“…Hello.”

The person who recognized me instantly, effortlessly dismissing my previous worries, was Kang Seon-woo, the other lead actor in the next-door neighbor’s film, literally a star actor.

He had been enjoying immense popularity even before appearing in the next-door neighbor’s film, so it was only natural for people to flock to see the face of such a renowned actor.

However, the Kang Seon-woo I had known from the sets was just a good-natured person with great acting skills, nothing more, nothing less.

I knew in my mind that he was a great person, but since we had engaged in conversations comfortably in the same space up until today, I hadn’t really grasped the extent of Kang Seon-woo’s stature.

“Um, Ha Eun, do you have something on your face?”

“No… It’s nothing.”

It was the same familiar gaze, familiar expression, and familiar voice as always.

Yet, for some reason, just moments ago, I had clearly felt the weight of Kang Seon-woo’s fame.

Involuntarily, I found myself glancing at him from the corner of my eye.

The rehearsal for the press conference began about ten minutes later.

Until the moment the press conference host started practicing answering the questions they had prepared, there was no issue.

I was somewhat worried about the fact that during the actual press conference, we would also have to take questions from reporters.

“Ha Eun, they will probably only ask you briefly about how you felt during the filming and what it was like to meet Kang Seon-woo for the first time.”

According to one of the younger staff members helping with the rehearsal, the questions likely wouldn’t be too difficult or awkward.

To be honest, asking a seven-year-old deep questions would be strange anyway.

Most importantly, I figured there was no point in getting nervous this early, so I decided to stay relaxed.

If it got too difficult to answer, I had been informed that it was okay to toss questions to Kang Seon-woo.

After a brief rehearsal concluded, I returned to the waiting room to find snacks like cake on the table.

“Hey, Ha Eun. Don’t your classmates ask about the next-door neighbor’s film?”

“Well, um… it’s likely because it’s a movie rated for adults, but I heard the parents didn’t even let us watch the trailer.”

“Oh, I see. From the parents’ perspective, that makes sense.”

During the ten minutes left before the press conference, I tasted the sweet and sour cakes and shared light conversations with Kang Seon-woo about how we had been doing.

“Kang Seon-woo, Ha Eun. It’s time to move~.”

Thus, just like we practiced in the rehearsal, I held hands with Kang Seon-woo.

We walked toward the conference room, where numerous reporters and eager viewers for the next-door neighbor’s film were waiting.

***

“This is the next-door neighbor’s press conference; it’s not a personal fan meeting for Kang Seon-woo…”

Among the posters featuring only Kang Seon-woo from the next-door neighbor’s film, and a sparse display of his personal photo collections, entertainment reporter Heo Ju-eun couldn’t help but click her tongue.

Of course, Heo Ju-eun agreed that Kang Seon-woo was an impeccable star actor.

However, watching all those people who had come solely to see Kang Seon-woo without paying any attention to the next-door neighbor’s film, she felt anything but good.

This perspective stemmed from Heo Ju-eun’s experiences as an entertainment reporter.

Whenever a star with a strong fanbase like Kang Seon-woo showed up at places like a press conference, she had seen numerous problems arise due to the enthusiastic fans more than once.

‘I wonder if they’ll shout every time he speaks.’

She couldn’t help but have a preconceived notion about the people who appeared to be Kang Seon-woo’s fans.

Of course, once anyone disrupted the press conference, they would be promptly asked to leave.

But it would be better for both Kang Seon-woo and Heo Ju-eun if such disturbances didn’t occur in the first place.

Regardless, as a reporter, Heo Ju-eun thought that if she could write an article that caught people’s attention through this press conference for the next-door neighbor’s film, that would be good enough for her.

Having prepared various things for several days leading up to the press conference, she secured a seat in the front row as part of that effort.

“Alright, now let’s meet the two main actors of the next-door neighbor’s film. Please welcome Kang Seon-woo and Ha Eun.”

As the two lead actors of the next-door neighbor’s film finally took the stage amidst a flood of camera flashes from the entrance.

‘…She looks nothing like the Kim Jiji from the trailer.’

Heo Ju-eun couldn’t help but admire Ha Eun’s beautiful appearance, which she could not think of as the same person in the next-door neighbor’s film.

Until the host began to direct various questions to Director Kwon Jong-hyuk and Kang Seon-woo, everything was quite tranquil and without much noise.

“Then, Ha Eun, what kind of performance did you aim for in this next-door neighbor’s film?”

Finally, Ha Eun was posed a question from the host, and judging by her clear and articulate response without stuttering, it seemed like this would be a proper press conference in a while.

However, about twenty minutes later, during the Q&A session for the reporters.

“As you know, Ha Eun, the next-door neighbor’s film is rated for adults. Did your parents have any objections to you appearing in such a film with mature themes?”

As the unrelated question echoed from a reporter behind Heo Ju-eun, things began to feel strange.

Then, a few other reporters followed suit, asking questions targeted only at Ha Eun that lacked substance.

‘…Did they receive directives to do this collectively? What’s going on?’

Strictly speaking, there were many more reporters asking reasonable questions than those raising odd queries.

Yet, there are always those few reporters who, regardless of the severity of the issues, would seize any opportunity to twist the words of a famous celebrity into something sensational.

And for such reporters, innocent child actors like Ha Eun were the best targets.

“Was acting as Kim Jiji emotionally difficult for you? I understand this is your first time appearing in a film, Ha Eun.”

The question, disguised as a simple query on Ha Eun’s first filming experience, was anything but.

On a closer look, if she answered that it wasn’t difficult, it would imply that the depth of her performance in the next-door neighbor’s film was shallow.

If she said it was difficult, it would provide grounds for allegations that young Ha Eun had been emotionally abused during the 19-rated film production.

Noticing it, Director Kwon Jong-hyuk and Kang Seon-woo were preparing to lift their microphones.

“Excuse me, could you clarify what you mean by the difficult acting you mentioned?”

The innocent-looking Ha Eun opened her mouth and asked the reporter instead.

The reporter, slightly flustered, answered,

“While performing, it feels like my head and heart are heavy. I don’t know why, but I have trouble breathing. I think it’s an acting I wouldn’t want to do again.”

An answer so abstract that it had no specificity at all.

After all, it was the response of someone who couldn’t deeply understand acting, so it didn’t warrant much attention.

“Then, is good acting the kind that feels comfortable and can be repeated many times?”

Ha Eun turned the abstract response into another question for the reporter, effectively causing him to lose his words.

As silence continued from the reporter, Ha Eun slowly smiled.

“Feeling that acting is challenging means that I’ve given my all to the performance, doesn’t it?”

With her graceful appearance, she crafted a dignified smile.

“So, I believe it’s fortunate that I could perform the role of Kim Jiji so passionately.”

She sealed the reporter’s mouth shut even tighter.

When she turned her gaze to another reporter who spoke up next, there was not a trace of wavering in her demeanor, which was far from that of a child.

At almost the same time, click.

Heo Ju-eun’s camera, which had finally secured the subject of the article, was raised at that moment.

It captured Ha Eun’s image, responding to the reporter’s questions, unchanged in her composure.

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