II - The script
Excitement got into Seokjin when he opened his eyes in the morning. He checked out his cell phone and an annoyed huff left his lips when he saw what time it was. He woke up surprisingly early, he was almost certain that they didn't send him the script yet. He woke up grudgingly, and went to the kitchen to make something for breakfast.
He was sitting on the couch with the notebook in his lap all morning; he checked out if he got an email every five minutes. He knew well that he acted childish, but he didn't care.
For distraction, he surfed on the internet. He didn't want to watch a movie nor a series; he just couldn't truly enjoy them as an actor. He always watched it with a critical perspective; the act itself, the scenery, the concepts of the scenes, the script... he was worse than a film critique.
He found a website where he could read manga and webtoon or watch anime, they left the links at the end of the blogs so he could watch it if he got interested.
One manga caught his attention, Seokjin really liked it. It was about a young boy who wanted to start college and he gets a tutor, a handsome writer. In the story it turns out that his tutor is in love with the boy's brother but it's only one-sided. As things happen to the boy he moves in with his own tutor, and the 'teacher-student' relationship turns into something really different.
They left a link to the manga itself; when Seokjin clicked at it he found out that they made an anime as well. He clicked the other link happily, quickly read the blog where they wrote positive feedback, so he didn't hesitate to start the first episode. He started wondering if he could use it as some kind of inspiration for his role in the not-so-distant future.
The theme was similar, and maybe the characters weren't real humans, but that didn't mean he couldn't get some tips and hints from it. One episode followed the other; the only reason he put his notebook next to himself because of his growling, empty stomach.
He quickly made a sandwich and just sat back when he heard the sound he waited all morning for, he got a new email. He put his untouched meal onto the table and grabbed his notebook, putting it into his lap again to open the browser. He clicked on the mail and opened the attached document with trembling fingers. As he read the written lines his interest grew, he really liked the plot, falling in love with it almost immediately.
He will play a psychologist, who will only live for his job. A father will find him and ask desperately to cure his son from homosexuality. As the doctor only lives for his job and tries to be at home as less as possible he accepts the offer.
After a while the doctor finds out that the young boy - who's sickness is 'being gay' in his father's eyes - has a more serious problem: he's got depression. The doctor tries everything he's capable of to cure the boy, but after a while he can't control his emotions.
The boy's background seemed interesting as well, Seokjin was really curious about how the other actor will play his role. It's gonna be hard, but he trusted the director to choose the right person for the job.
He grabbed his cell phone and dialed the number he had called yesterday. They answered the call almost immediately.
"Good afternoon! Sorry for sending the script so late, but I had to talk with your future coworker. So, do you like it? Have you got any tips or ideas for the plot?" The director spoke quite quickly, he sounded excited.
"Good afternoon, Sir! It's okay, you didn't say when you will send it to me exactly. And at the moment no, I don't have any idea, but I'll let you know when I'll have." Seokjin told him with a calm voice.
"Alright, take your time, I'm open-minded; I think as you'll be one of the main characters, I should listen to your advice." The man on the other side of the call noted. It surprised the actor, it wasn't usual.
"I'm grateful for that, Sir. I wish I've worked with directors who're as open-minded as you. My life would have been much easier." Seokjin heard a quiet laugh from the other side, and he felt how his own lips curled up into a smile.
"I can imagine! When I heard that you'd like to leave this industry, I got so sad. Such a great person and an incredibly talented young man you are, it's such a shame you want to leave so soon. I feel extremely lucky that beside this you accepted my request for this role." Seokjin's cheeks get red by the compliment.
"I felt like it would be a mistake if I'd let this opportunity slide out of my hands. But after this one, yes, I'll leave the world of acting." He knew he's gonna miss it, but sadly the bad side of this industry slowly started eating him alive, and he didn't want that to happen.
"I'll try my best to make you feel comfortable and not overwork you or your soon-to-be colleague. I only ask you to give your best, nothing more." The director said.
"I promise, I will, Sir!"
"Oh, and before I forget. Could you meet with me and your partner tomorrow morning? I'd like you two to meet and discuss the script and some other topics which I'll mention later. Is it okay for you?" Seokjin got surprised; not because the director asked him for a meeting, but how he asked it. He was so kind, polite, and not commanding like so many other directors he had worked before.
"Yes, Sir, I'd be happy to meet with both of you in person! When and where would we meet?" The young actor felt excited, this whole thing was so refreshing to him, he felt it in his bones that this would be so different, nothing like he had ever done before.
"I'll text you the time and the address of the place later. Have a nice afternoon, Seokjin-ssi!" The director said in a happy tone.
"Alright. Goodbye, Sir!" Seokjin said, smiling as he ended the call.
He was still smiling when he touched another number on the screen of his phone, he wanted to tell one of his best friends about the news. After a few moments he heard the voice of his friend.
"Hello, Jin hyung!" Jimin was slightly panting, he was probably in the practice room.
"Hello, Jiminie! I'm sorry for interrupting, I'll call you later- " Seokjin tried to speak, he felt guilty; he should've known that the younger was probably practicing at this hour.
"Hyung, it's totally fine, you can call me anytime you want." The dancer reassured him. They were friends for so long, and he really meant what he said.
"Okay, okay, I get it, Jiminie." The elder chuckled.
"You better be! So, what's the reason you called?" Jimin knew well his hyung, he always called when something had happened to him, let it be a good or a bad thing. He really hoped it was a good thing this time.
"Uhm, remember I said at the last interview that I'll quit acting?" Seokjin started, and somehow he became nervous.
"Yep. Why? Did you change your mind?" The younger asked.
"Well, yes and no."
"Hyung, what do you mean by that?"
Seokjin bit his bottom lip and took a deep breath before he spoke up again.
"I still want to leave this industry, but I got an email from a director who wants to make a series and he wants me for one of the main roles, and Jimin-ah, I had to say yes for this." He rattled off with one breath.
"Woah, slow down, hyung. So, you're saying before you truly quit acting, you accepted one last role, right?" The dancer's tone was calming, patient.
"Yes" He nodded even though he knew the latter didn't see it.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for you, but are you sure about this?" Seokjin heard how worried his dongsaeng was; he knew about his struggles.
"Yes, I'm sure, I don't think I've ever wanted a role this much before." He confessed. It felt like faith, like this role was made for him. He heard a quiet sigh from the other side of the phone.
"Okay, okay, I believe you. But please, if you ever feel like you don't want to continue, then don't force yourself, okay?" Seokjin was so grateful for his friend, he felt like he didn't even deserve Jimin.
"I promise, if something's gonna go wrong, I'll quit immediately." The actor said with a soft smile on his face. He loved his dongsaeng so much.
"I hope so. Take care, hyung, love you!" Jimin said, and Seokjin was sure that the dancer smiled, he could hear it through his voice.
"Love you too, Jimin-ah! You should be careful as well!" The elder knew how hardworking Jimin was, he always pushed himself to his limits. He earned a cute little laugh by his comment.
"You know me too well, hyungie, aigoo. I will. Bye!" The dancer said after he stopped laughing.
"Bye, Jiminie!" Seokjin said and ended the call.
He felt relieved after his small conversation with Jimin. He was nervous because he knew how much his dongsaeng always worried about him. But the dancer understood his decision and supported him, and he was so grateful for it.
His other best friend came up in his mind; and his nervousness came back immediately. If Jimin was protective, then Namjoon…
He was a whole another story.
Seokjin made his decision: he will call him later. Maybe before dinner. He knew it was inevitable, but why rush it? He will tell him about this... but he needed to collect some courage and reasoning why he had accepted this role.
Because Namjoon needed proper answers, he wouldn't accept it so easily like Jimin did.