The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Chapter 154

‘When can I go home?’

It had been ten days since I arrived in France, and this was the only thought occupying my mind.

I knew I shouldn’t complain, but my brain just wasn’t cooperating.

―Are you feeling okay? Do you like the food?

“Yeah. I’ve been eating Korean food for all three meals thanks to room service.”

―Still, since you’re in France, you should try escargot at least once.

I chuckled at Noh Bi-hyuk’s laughing voice.

“You can’t even eat sea snails, what are you talking about escargot?”

―…….

Remembering the time he ignored the sea snail noodles that were served as part of our school lunch, he went silent for a moment.

―So, when are you leaving? When are you coming back? I’m so bored, I could die.

I stifled a laugh at his attempt to change the subject.

“I’m leaving tomorrow. Just hang in there a bit longer. Have you been getting along with Seo Ji-oh?”

―Don’t even get me started. He’s completely different when you’re not around. He was always smiling when you were here, but now he doesn’t even look at me. He’s like a total psychopath.

Noh Bi-hyuk grumbled about how annoying Seo Ji-oh was for a while.

After listening to him for a bit more, I hung up the phone.

“Are you ready, sir?”

“Yes.”

“You made the right choice calling. You look much more relaxed than before.”

“…? Really?”

I looked in the mirror after hearing Jin-bae hyung’s words, but I looked the same to me.

I stood up, rubbing my slightly itchy ear from listening to Noh Bi-hyuk’s nonstop chatter for the past ten minutes.

“Anyway, thanks for giving me time to make the call. Shall we go now?”

“Yes, Director Yoon is waiting in the lobby.”

Today was the day of the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival.

We were on our way to attend the closing ceremony’s red carpet event.

Given that the Cannes Film Festival only invited award winners to the closing ceremony, our attendance meant that “Twins” would win some kind of award.

Director Yoon kept joking about me winning Best Actor, but all I wanted was to go home.

‘Just one more day. Then I can go home.’

With that thought, I managed to smile on the red carpet.

Amid the chaos, I followed Director Yoon closely and sat in our assigned seats.

Every time an award presenter called out a winner’s name, thunderous applause erupted.

Most of the people receiving the awards were unfamiliar to me.

Since I mostly watched Korean films and dramas, I knew very little about foreign actors.

Still, I clapped enthusiastically, secretly wishing for the ceremony to end quickly.

And then, when a somewhat familiar name was called as the winner of the Best Actor award.

I stood up and clapped as if it were someone else’s business.

“Congratulations! What did I tell you!”

“…?”

I had only stood up because everyone else did, but suddenly Director Yoon hugged me.

I wondered why he was doing this when I noticed the camera zooming in on my face, and realized something was off.

What the…

“Go up there and receive your award.”

Still not fully understanding the situation, Director Yoon pushed me forward.

People I didn’t know shook my hand and congratulated me.

In a daze, I followed the directions given to me, and before I knew it, I was on stage.

“…….”

What’s going on?

I just blinked dumbly.

The presenter handed me a trophy and a flower, which I took dumbly.

‘Get a grip.’

But how could I get a grip if I didn’t understand the situation?

Did I really win the Best Actor award? Really?

The trophy had some words in a foreign language on it.

‘Prix d’interprétation masculine.’

……What does this mean?

I couldn’t just stand there, so I opened my mouth.

“Hello, I’m Lee Yeon-jae.”

I introduced myself in a daze, and my interpreter was suddenly beside me.

The man with the microphone translated my words.

A thousand thoughts raced through my mind in that short moment. I closed my eyes briefly.

‘What should I say?’

I didn’t expect to win an award? I don’t know if I deserve this? Why did they give me this award? Oh, please get a grip.

My head felt like it was going to explode from all the chaotic thoughts.

‘Hah.’

I let out a short breath and opened my eyes again.

The interpreter was returning to his seat, appearing in slow motion.

I tried my best to keep my eyes open wide and stood in front of the microphone.

“First, I’d like to thank everyone who helped bring this film to the world.”

I thanked the production company representative, my fellow actors, the staff, Director Yoon, my agency, Jin-bae hyung, and the fans.

The interpreter seemed to anticipate my words and translated smoothly.

As time passed, my mind calmed down.

I didn’t need to worry about what to say.

‘I just need to say what I have to say.’

Whatever this award was, it wasn’t given to me because I was great.

It was simply an opportunity to publicly thank the people who made me look good.

‘There’s one more person I need to mention in that sense.’

I stood in front of the microphone again and looked straight into the camera.

“There is an actor who helped me bring these two characters to life. Senior Nam In-hoo, thank you very much. This award… we received it together.”

I deliberately pronounced each syllable clearly, hoping the interpreter would capture Nam In-hoo’s name correctly.

It seemed the few days we spent working together weren’t in vain, as the interpreter perfectly conveyed my intention with a smile.

‘I have nothing more to say.’

I hesitated for a moment, wondering how to end my speech, and then remembered a phrase I had practiced out of boredom a few days ago.

Before I could think, I brought the microphone to my lips.

“(Then have a good night.)”

As I stepped back with a smile, the interpreter looked at me in surprise.

I bowed slightly and stepped off the stage.

“Wow?? Do you speak French??”

I shook my head at the interpreter who hurriedly followed me.

“Of course not. I just memorized a few basic phrases.”

“No, but your pronunciation… Did you take lessons?”

When I said I had just practiced on my own, I got a suspicious look. But it was true.

‘How could I self-learn French?’

Some people might be able to do that, but I certainly wasn’t one of them.

When I was studying English, I got curious and briefly looked at French, but it was impossible for a human to learn.

I just memorized a few sentences out of stubbornness. I never expected to use them like this.

“Without anyone teaching you, your pronunciation was that perfect?”

Why was this person overreacting?

“It was short.”

“It’s not about the length, it’s how you pronounced it―.”

“Interpreter. Can we talk about this later?”

I calmed down the overly excited person. Why was he like this?

Returning to my seat with the trophy in my arms, Director Yoon welcomed me.

At the same time, he whispered very quietly so no one else could hear.

“What did you say up there? Bon soir? That’s French, right?”

“Yes. It means good night.”

“You clever kid. When did you learn French?”

Learned? I told you, I just memorized a few phrases.

‘I should have just said thank you.’

I regretted going with the flow. I regretted it even more when the interpreter bombarded me with questions after the ceremony.

“Seriously, sir. I’m not just saying this for no reason. I think you should learn French properly. Your pronunciation was perfect. I majored in French, so I don’t say that lightly.”

“Okay, okay. I made a mistake. Can we stop now?”

Jin-bae hyung finally managed to get the interpreter away from me.

“Sir! I’ll teach you properly!”

Even as he was dragged away by other staff, the interpreter shouted.

I chuckled and whispered, watching his retreating figure.

Bonne soirée.

* * *

On the way back to the hotel room.

I stared blankly at the trophy in my hand in the elevator.

“I really won an award.”

Does this even make sense?

It still didn’t feel real.

Rather than feeling happy or delighted, I was just dazed.

Looking at the trophy like it was a cloud I was holding, Jin-bae hyung quietly responded.

“……I think today is the happiest day of my life.”

Hearing his voice slightly wet with tears, I quickly lifted my head.

It wasn’t a mistake; his gentle eyes were genuinely filled with tears. What?

“Why, why are you crying?”

“I know this award doesn’t mean much to you. But, I just feel so overwhelmed…. I’m sorry. I’m overreacting too much….”

Seeing him holding back his tears, worried that it might burden me, was both ridiculous and touching.

It was a bit funny, but I was more surprised, so I quickly tried to comfort him.

“What are you saying? Of course, it means something to me.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“What does it mean to you?”

Hesitating for a moment at his moist eyes, I answered stupidly.

“Because it makes you happy…?”

“…….”

It didn’t seem like a bad answer, but it must have been.

Seeing his hurt eyes, as if I had insulted the trophy, I couldn’t help but sigh.

‘Anyone would think he gave birth to the trophy.’

It was ridiculous

, but I comforted him to stop crying.

‘But it’s true that it doesn’t mean much to me.’

He was right. I had received an award, but I didn’t feel any particular sentiment.

It was just… an award.

“Are you sure you don’t want to attend the after party?”

“I’m not interested. Oh, you can go by yourself. I’ll just stay in my room quietly.”

“No way. If you’re not going, I’m not going.”

I laughed at Jin-bae hyung, who was acting as if he had given birth to me instead of the trophy.

Anyway, receiving an award wasn’t a bad thing.

Refusing Director Yoon’s suggestion to network at the party wasn’t related to my feelings.

It was more about my physical condition.

‘I’m so exhausted.’

Being in front of the camera and surrounded by people all day had left my whole body aching.

But if I could get on a plane right now, I would endure the discomfort.

That’s how much I wanted to go back to Korea.

The desire to go home was so strong that I was indifferent to receiving the award.

Still, did I have to listen to this?

“(Hey. You arrogant punk.)”

I turned around slowly at the voice in the hotel hallway.

“(Is that all your reaction to winning that award? Seriously? I thought you’d act cool and laugh it off in private, but that’s really all your reaction is? Are you kidding me?)”

“…….”

Who is this now?

A blonde boy with blue eyes was glaring at me with an angry face.

Couldn’t I have one quiet day? I was genuinely tired.

“(Why can’t you speak? Can’t you speak English at all? Can’t you even understand this?)”

“Hey.”

I interrupted his rapid-fire speech. Too noisy.

“If you want to talk, speak slowly.”

“(…?)”

I can’t understand if you speak that fast.