I Will Live As An Actor

Chapter 16

A small wooden boat left Namhang, bobbing gently as it cut through the waves. Under the warm sunlight, the sea gleamed like a jewel. The gentle rocking might have been nothing more than a newborn babys wobble compared to the torrential currents boatmen usually faced, but it seemed that the film crew wasnt so used to it. The AD had already lost his breakfast several times and could barely stand on deck. In contrast, camera director Kim Deukhyeongs eyes sparkled with excitement more than ever.

PD Yoo, this is an amazing shot! How did you find such a place?

Sunbae, how would I know about these waters? Its all thanks to the boat owner. When the production assistant mentioned Yeongguks name at Namhang Market, everyone offered to help us find the way. If it werent for Yeongguk, we wouldve had difficulty finding a good location.

Ah, that boy is quite a lucky charm!

At the bow of the boat, a young boy stood unfazed by the swaying of the waves as if his feet were magnetic. Seagulls soared around him, and a heron flew past though they were far from the shore. The scene was so magical that it could have been plucked straight out of a movie.

Scene number 57, a brief life on the ocean!

The crew of around ten people hurriedly began filming. As the clapperboard snapped, the wooden boat momentarily came to a halt. A teary-eyed mother wearing worn-out shoes approached her son.

Jin, pay your respects to your father.

What father? Mom, you cant even see whats right before you! These are just disgusting, fishy ocean waves!

Jin

The gaunt mother painfully made her way to the deck and poured soju onto the blue waters. Her son watched her with a look of pure dissatisfaction. What was so great about the ocean that had robbed them of his father and her husband? Yet, the mother fought back her emotions, her voice strained.

My dear husband, were here. You must have been so lonely all by yourself. I wanted to come more often, but life got in the way. Our Jin has grown up so much. Hes really a good boy, just like you. It would have been wonderful if you could see him

Unable to contain her emotions any longer, tears streamed down his mothers face. Her hand holding the soju bottle shook violently, and tears welled under her hollow cheeks. At that moment, her son Jin grabbed her shoulder.

Are you going to spill it? Whats with this display?

Jin

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Give it to me. Ill do it!

Snatching the soju bottle from his mothers wrinkled hands and splashing it into the sea, Jins eyes were also filled with unending tears. On the outside, he resented his father, but deep down, he longed for him more than anyone else. Seagulls cried at the sight of their tears.

Father

As his mother leaned against the rails for a break, Jin stood alone at the bow, looking down at sea. Unchangingly blue, the ocean seemed to know his feelings. He silently took a small apple from his pocket and threw it with all his might.

I miss you, he whispered.

At that moment, a seagull changed course, as if responding to his call.

* * *

The filming was just wrapping up when the boat owner, his face tanned dark, came over. It was their first time getting a good look at him. They only heard that theyd hired a boat owner who knew the waters well, but he had kept his hat pulled low and stayed in the wheelhouse the entire timeuntil now.

Yeongguk! You dont even pretend to be happy to see me!

Old man, I cant stand fake laughter! I didnt know you changed the boats name to Silver. Anyway, I heard youve been driving the boat without going fishing. Dont tell me you missed the right tide?

No way! I injured my finger while pulling up a fishing net, so I took a break. Right around that time, someone from Seoul came by looking for help navigating on a filming gig and mentioned your name. So, I said Id do it. Its all thanks to you, Yeongguk!

Youre not charging them for just taking people out on the sea, right?

Tsk, so quick-witted! Anyway, now that the shoot is over, go to the net and bring me a live fish! After all, these city folks from Seoul should taste fresh fish before leaving. They should at least be able to say they saw the sea!

Whos going to prepare the fish? Boss, didnt you say you hurt your hand?

Youre pretty good at it too, kid! Ive seen you help your mother clean fish at Namhang Market!

Well, he did have a knack for it from his past life. He was already an expert in cleaning fish and had done it several times, even filling in for his mother at Namhang Market. His mother first stopped him, saying it was dangerous, but she couldnt help but be impressed by his skill.

He caught a fish in the net and immediately began preparing the sashimi. The film crews eyes widened at the sight.

Yeongguk, you know how to fillet fish too?

PD, what can a kid who grew up in Namhang not do regarding sea-related tasks? Dont just swallow your saliva, have a bite! Everyone else, come and try it too! As the captain said, you should have some while its still fresh to really experience the sea!

Fortunately, the small boat could only accommodate a limited number of crew members. The PD tasted a piece of sashimi and couldnt help but exclaim.

Wow, this is amazing!

His face showed that he was craving some soju. The other crew members also felt the same way. They each took a thick piece of sashimi, and their fatigue seemed to disappear as they enjoyed the fresh taste. Of course, there was one exception.

Mom, arent you going to have some? Oh, youre not eating because youre watching your weight, right? My mistake.

Hey, the shoot is over. Stop calling me Mom! Just give me some. I want to eat too!

I knew youd say that, so I saved the best part for you. Here, let me give you a piece. Say ah.

No one could resist the charming kids offer. Park Suyeong pretended to lose and opened her mouth wide for the sashimi. Her eyes sparkled as soon as the fish entered her mouth, and she was clearly enjoying the fresh taste. After all, it was the fishs peak season. Inland, one could never find such fresh sashimi. And, of course, even the pickiest of eaters would crave more with just a piece of the fish at that time of the year.

Try this too. Its sea urchin roe you cant just scoop it up with a spoon like this on land.

Kid, I know how to eat it. You dont need to feed me like that!

Im only feeding you because youre my mom. Just eat it.

He encouraged her again, and she pretended to give in as she took a spoonful of the sea urchin roe. The sour taste of the sauce and the sweetness of the sea urchin roe filled her mouth, evoking the feeling of having the sea in her mouth.

How is it?

Park Suyeong nodded briefly.

* * *

The captain cooked a modest seafood ramen for the ten-member film crew. The steaming soup and savory taste left everyone speechless. The AD, who had suffered badly from seasickness, seemed to have fully recovered and finished a bowl immediately. The PD still yearned for soju, but what could he do? Hed have to console himself at a seafood restaurant on land.

Captain, have you known Yeongguk since a long time ago?

Indeed. As you know, PD Yoo, Yeongguk is quite famous at Namhang. Hes quite a celebrity in Yeongdo. But when I see Yeongguk, I just cant help but feel bad, so I kept my distance.

Why do you feel bad?

Yeongguks father and I were very close. We would go fishing together, rain or shine, and even drink and shout at Namhang. But then his father got caught in a strong current and drowned. After that, it felt like it was all my fault, so I couldnt face Yeongguk properly for years.

With a strong and dignified appearance, the tanned captain had a hunched posture. It seemed his emotions were overwhelming as he thought of his old friend.

Im sorry for my poor manners, he apologized.

No, its fine.

Yeongguk is quite a good actor, isnt he?

Of course, you saw it yourself. Ive seen many child actors at the broadcasting station, but no one like Yeongguk.

Its not just for show. The child actor struggled with the demanding filming schedule because of the physical challenges. And to make matters worse, he was the primary child actor. Despite the difficult lines he had to memorize, he didnt make a single mistake. Far from looking exhausted as the shoot drew to a close, he actually boosted the energy of the staff and fellow actors.

Of course. Hes got a heart as big as his fathers, you know. He might still be young, but hes got an adults mind. He works hard so his mother doesnt have to suffer and tries to do all the tough tasks himself. When I think about it now, my friend really raised a great son. When she set up a stall at Namhang with the other guys we worked with, I wasnt sure if shed be able to handle such a big responsibility, but my worries were unfounded. Just look at him, doing his role so well. Its really something.

Sturdy, calloused hands clasped Yoo Myeonghans hand.

Thank you so much for the ceremony earlier at the sea.

Yoo Myeonghan recalled the event before the shoot. It happened after they wrapped up the shooting sketch and the team loaded equipment onto a small boat.

PD, can I scatter soju in this scene and throw an apple at the end?

An apple?

I think its something Hajins father would have liked.

The child had a clear vision of the world within the script, as if he saw it as his own living room. Yoo Myeonghan felt the boys words were persuasive, and the visual actually matched perfectly once they filmed it. As if they had found a lost puzzle piece. It was then.

His father, I mean, my friend, really loved ceremonies like that. It was even more important back then because living without it was unbearable. Its a blessing to even find the body because if it didnt wash away to the shore, itd be lost forever. Nowadays, going out to sea and scattering their favorite food like that is all we can do. Im really grateful. My friend out there in the sea must be delighted too. He finally got a delicious apple after so long.

Tears welled up in the eyes of the middle-aged boatman, his cheeks reddening. Unbeknownst to him, Yoo Myeonghan also felt warmth in his chest. There were countless stories in Namhang, like a drawbridge opening and closing, just hidden away deep inside peoples hearts. The child must be the same. But the child wasnt afraid of the sea, nor did he avoid it. He knew that its better to let it out instead of hiding his sadness.

He should be happy to see such a grown-up son.

The boy was sitting alone at the bow of the boat. The sea, scattering blue rays of light, gently swayed as if greeting the young boy.