Handsome since birth, road to stardom chapter 46

* * *

Lee Jin-hwan’s eyes shook.

‘Ha, that was the key line.’

The main character boy says this line, marking his growth.

And in the final scene, he says it again as he closes his eyes.

‘This movie is about the growth of a boy.’

Director Lee Jin-hwan covered his mouth. Mom asked,

“Director?”

“Oh, sorry. It seems like a coincidence, but it feels like fate. How can this be?”

You’re surprised.

‘I understand.’

But what do you think of me? I can really nail that role.

‘Even if it’s a child role at first, I’ll make it unforgettable.’

I smiled and winked.

Director Lee Jin-hwan fumbled around urgently before finally speaking to Director Heo.

“Do you have a business card, Director?”

“I do. Why?”

“Could you lend me one?”

Director Heo handed over his card without hesitation.

The young director hurriedly scribbled his number on it and handed it to my mom.

“Contact me later at this number. I really want to cast this child in a movie.”

“Oh? But Kongja is still very young.”

“But I think it has to be him. I can’t say much now since nothing is finalized, but please answer when I call this number later.”

Mom, deep in thought, nodded her head.

“Okay.”

“Please, I’m counting on you.”

The director was so excited that his legs were trembling. Mom tilted her head quizzically and walked past, carrying me.

‘Wow, secured a movie role.’

If everything goes well, I’ll be in it.

‘There may be limitations due to my age, but it doesn’t matter.’

In Chungmuro, making a mark was extremely important. (Chungmuro is the nickname for A-list actors and actress.)

Mom moved on to greet the next guest. I welcomed the guest with a smile.

The more I thought about it, the more fruitful this first birthday party seemed.

* * *

“Please welcome Kongja, who is celebrating his first birthday today! Let’s give a big round of applause!”

The host’s presentation was quite typical. I looked at the camera recording for the DVD and smiled broadly.

‘Even though it’s just a first birthday party.’

Still, maybe because there was a camera and an audience, I felt a bit excited.

“Oh my, what a cute baby. I’ve never seen such an adorable baby before.”

As expected, thank you for the compliment.
I stared intently at the host. The woman, skilled in hosting first birthday parties, was wearing a cute mask.

‘Is that a cartoon character mask?’

It seemed like a tool to capture the child’s attention.

‘You must be having a hard time, it must be stuffy.’

I giggled and clapped my hands. The masked host laughed and said,

“This baby laughs so well. Oh, how lovely.”

Laughter echoed around me. This time, I smiled brightly at the audience.

‘Thank you all for coming.’

As you leave, please drop a coin or two.
The host announced,

“Now, it’s time for the highlight of the first birthday party. It’s time for the doljabi!”

People clapped. Soon, a small tray was brought out. The items on the luxurious cloth were typical.

‘Thread, a judge’s gavel, a stethoscope, a pen…’

Oh boy.

‘Shouldn’t the doljabi items evolve a bit?’

Why isn’t there anything for an actor?

Mom patted my shoulder and said,

“What will our Kongja pick?”

There’s nothing here for me to choose, Mom.

‘But I have to pick something, right?’

I tried to think of the closest thing to an actor.

That’s when I noticed the host’s mask more than ever.

A grin spread across my face.

‘Right. That’s the way.’

First, I grabbed both sides of the cloth with my hands.

“Oh, oh my! Baby!”

The host tried to make me let go, but I shook my head and said,

“Everything, all!”

“What?”

I wriggled my hands, moved the items to the center, and tied up the cloth.

Then I pulled the entire bundle towards me.

A moment of silence fell. I smiled and said,

“All! All!”

The host was too flustered to speak.

That’s when Mom burst out laughing.

“Hahaha!”

“Oh, ma’am?”

“Give him the whole bundle. It seems he wants everything.”

Laughter erupted around me.

I could feel people laughing as they looked at me.

I waved at the camera.

Mom adjusted her hold on me and asked,

“But Kongja, if you had to pick just one, what would it be?”

I was waiting for that question.

I pointed at the host.

“That!”

The host asked in confusion,

“Huh? Me?”

“Kongja, you can’t pick her.”

No! It’s not the person!

I desperately pointed at the mask.

“That, that!”

Thankfully, Mom understood right away.

“The mask!”

“Yes! That!”

The host quickly took off the mask and handed it to me.

I held it up to my face and said,

“This is the best!”

“Really?”

The host continued with a smile.

“It seems he likes this animation character.”

No.

I shook my head and alternated putting the mask on and taking it off.

Mom murmured softly.

“Persona.”

I beamed.

‘As expected of my mom.’

She got it right away.

‘It’s a term used for actors.’

It has various meanings when you delve into it, but it originates from the Latin of ‘Mask’.

‘This is my path.’

An actor.

‘I don’t need thread or a stethoscope.’

Putting on a mask is something everyone tries at least once.

This is it.

Mom stroked my cheek.

“Wow, our Kongja.”

I kissed her hand.

“It seems I brought an amazing angel with me.”

No big deal, Mom.

‘This is just the beginning.’

Mom murmured softly.

“My angel, you instantly blew away all my worries. As expected, it wasn’t just a hunch.”

What does that mean?

I looked back slightly, and Mom smiled.

When I tilted my head, she gently stroked my cheek.

The host resumed the birthday celebration.

I wiggled my legs once and refocused on the party.

Thus, my first birthday party continued.

* * *

“Did Auntie An also come?”

“I enjoyed the vacation. Thanks to you, I had a good rest. How was Kongja’s first birthday party?”

“I’ll show you when the DVD comes out. It was fun. More people came than I expected.”

Ma Soo-jung stroked the cheek of the sleeping Kongja once. The soft touch made her smile naturally.
On the way home, her angel had fallen asleep.

“But what is that?”

Auntie An opened a case lid. Inside was a luxurious doljanchi ring (a Korean tradition that celebrates the first birthday of a baby).

“Who gave this?”

* * *

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