I’m Not That Obsessive

Chapter 12

I expected all kinds of private information to be exposed given how intense the paparazzi are in America, but surprisingly, there wasn’t much information about Mitchell. I mean more detailed and personal information than this.

Here, paparazzi would even take helicopters to a celebrity’s private island to take photos. For someone like Mitchell, you’d expect to find details about which restaurant he ate at and what menu he ordered on any given day, so I was puzzled by the lack of paparazzi coverage.

It’s a bit disappointing, but not really important. I’m more interested in knowing who he is now rather than who he was in the past.

I only wanted to make his present revolve around me.

“Oh.”

Then I found Mitchell’s photoshoot pictures. It was an underwear ad I’d never seen before, with him wearing only triangle briefs. Judging by his long hair, it seemed to be from quite a while ago. For the past few years, Mitchell had been maintaining a naturally short, slicked-back hairstyle.

“His body looks even better now?”

Having seen Mitchell’s body, and half-naked at that, it was easy to distinguish between his past and present. The image of his well-muscled body floated around in my head.

“Hmm.”

I immediately closed the internet window and went to the photo gallery. I found Mitchell’s locked video and pressed play.

There was no shame on his face despite being naked. His broad chest led naturally down to an intimidating manhood that would be threatening even to another man.

“With that… Phew, it’s deadly. It’s nothing short of torture.”

I naturally recalled the man panting beneath Mitchell.

‘For someone being tortured, those moans seemed rather pleasurable… Did he really enjoy it? Maybe I should try…’

As curiosity darted to an unexpected place, I hastily shook my head.

Meanwhile, the sound of water from the bathroom stopped. Mitchell showered in the living room bathroom instead of the one in his bedroom. And he did it with the door wide open.

He must be done. I immediately put down my phone. I straightened up from my prone position and looked around. I spotted the script on the table and reached for it.

“Racing Instinct,” huh? The genre was easy to guess just from the title. So he’s filming an action movie.

As I was skimming through it, Mitchell came out of the bathroom. Wearing a white robe, he turned his head towards me. As soon as our eyes met, his head turned the other way. As if he was just checking if I was there or not.

“Your upcoming movie looks interesting. The script seems good too.”

I casually struck up a conversation. It wasn’t just lip service, but sincere. I was now realizing emotions I hadn’t particularly felt when I was actually acting.

How much I loved acting.

The unique energy of the film set, the moments of immersion in the role, the satisfaction when the hard-earned results were praised and talked about by people.

It all became a distant memory. My eyes grew hot at the thought that I might never feel that again. I honestly envied Mitchell.

“Why? You want to do it too?”

“…Huh?”

Mitchell suddenly spoke to me as I was lost in my own sentiments.

“Do… what? You’re saying… strange things.”

It’s embarrassing that I had expectations for that brief moment. I put down the script with a hollow laugh.

Given that the movie shooting is starting next week, it means casting is already complete, so there’s no way there are any roles left.

Even ignoring that, an actor can’t just arbitrarily insert a role, as he’s neither the production company nor the director.

Of course, someone in Mitchell’s position might be able to, but why me in the first place? I never even mentioned that I used to act. What does he think I am?

No matter how I thought about it, it didn’t make sense. As I was shaking my head, a thought suddenly wedged its way in.

“Do you know me?”

“Who are you supposed to be?”

“……”

I closed my mouth at Mitchell’s blunt question. Harsh words were about to spill from my protruding lips but stopped.

As the conversation broke off, Mitchell immediately went into the bedroom. When he came out after drying his hair, he sat across from me as usual and picked up the script. Dressed in casual clothes, Mitchell focused on work as always.

What a severe workaholic.

I stretched out behind the sofa while making this brief observation about him. It was essentially openly observing Mitchell sitting across from me, but Mitchell was too engrossed in the script to pay any attention to me.

Or so I thought.

“If you have any thoughts, say them quickly.”

The conversation I thought had ended sprang up again.

“There’s one role left.”

This bastard really seemed to be trying to insert me into his movie.

***

‘He has a weak mentality.’

Mitchell summed up Geon-woo in one phrase: ‘He has a weak mentality.’

He had learned about all the incidents that had happened to Geon-woo. Being scammed in Korea, backstabbed by an acquaintance, and getting entangled in various incidents and accidents.

A series of events perfect for sending a celebrity plummeting to rock bottom had happened to Geon-woo in succession.

Of course, in America where Mitchell works, these wouldn’t be considered hugely significant incidents. One could quickly bounce back if they pulled themselves together. They might even use it as interesting material to discuss on talk shows with the host.

But Geon-woo chose to hide away in America for over a year.

If it weren’t for a Korean movie Mitchell had seen long ago, and if he didn’t have a keen eye, he might never have realized Geon-woo had been an actor.

While he was unsure, seeing Geon-woo being photographed by ordinary people confirmed it. Upon searching:

Bae Geon-woo, a Korean film actor.

He learned that Geon-woo was once the most popular movie star in Korea.

Mitchell couldn’t forget how he felt when he saw Geon-woo’s face in a Korean film. It gave him goosebumps all over.

The Bae Geon-woo on camera was a completely different person. Mitchell, who had only intended to casually check, ended up staying up all night watching every movie Geon-woo had been in.

It was the true face of the unemployed man who lazed about every day, sprawling on the lawn or couch, just drinking.

His acting spectrum was excellent too. Seeing Geon-woo shine like a star in movies, traversing various roles, Mitchell felt his talent was too precious to waste. He wanted to act alongside him. His English pronunciation wasn’t bad either, enough to work in Hollywood.

Even setting aside professional reasons, Mitchell couldn’t help but be interested in Geon-woo. It was strange how he agreed to manage the house without questioning anything when suddenly asked. 

It was normal to at least try to get some money if accepting such an offer, but he even refused that, naturally piquing Mitchell’s interest.

Of course, the real interest might have started when he encountered Geon-woo’s naked body.

The claim about having a spare role was true. Given that rough action scenes make up more than half of the movie’s content, actors often get injured. An actor who had insisted on not using a stunt double ended up with a fractured bone during practice.

It was that actor’s role. A villain appearing towards the end of the movie. Although the screen time isn’t much, Mitchell offered Geon-woo a role that fights on somewhat equal footing with himself.

Since it’s towards the end, there shouldn’t be a problem if he starts preparing now. Mitchell thought casting Geon-woo could bring a fresh atmosphere to the movie. He immediately recommended Geon-woo to the director.

“Nice to meet you.”

Under these circumstances, Robert, the director of “Racing Instinct”, met the famous Korean actor. Mitchell’s drive instantly awakened Geon-woo from his leisurely lifestyle.

“Let’s work well together from now on.”

Robert decided on the casting as soon as he saw Geon-woo. Even saying he decided upon seeing him is late. To be precise, he was inclined as soon as he heard the name from Mitchell.

Robert, a renowned director in commercial films, had also dabbled in various art films, independent films, and even Asian films. He knew some Korean actors too. Geon-woo was among them.

Most of the movies Geon-woo starred in were only successful in Korea. Yet, Robert remembered his name because of his acting.

He had found it impressive and thought he’d like to work with him if given the chance, and Mitchell had provided that connection.

Robert incorporated Geon-woo into the film without a moment’s hesitation. His only regret was that the role was small.

What was disguised as an audition immediately proceeded to contract negotiations. Since Geon-woo didn’t have an agency, there was no need for complicated procedures.

“Is there any problem?”

It’s a movie everyone wants to be in. Robert took pride in his film and his name. However, the Korean actor who had joined late seemed somewhat uncomfortable.

“Ah, no. I’ll… work hard.”

He would smile, then turn serious, brighten up again, and suddenly look like he was about to cry.

He had mentioned various issues in Korea, perhaps this was the aftermath. Robert might have been imagining things when he thought Geon-woo’s shoulders had slumped. He didn’t pay much attention to it.

He was just satisfied that he could cast an even better actor than expected for the role he had been worried about due to the sudden vacancy from an actor’s injury. Although Geon-woo has the youthful look typical of Asians, his atmosphere completely changes when he speaks or makes expressions. A face both plain and stimulating. He had an aura that drew people’s attention and immersed them. In short, he was an actor who looked good on camera.

Moreover, with Bae Geon-woo joining, it would greatly promote the movie in the Asian film market, including Korea. It would inevitably attract more attention as the comeback work of an actor who had disappeared.

The film was already expected to be a hit even before shooting began.

Robert watched with a pleased smile as Geon-woo and Mitchell were just leaving the office. Suddenly, a small curiosity struck him.

“By the way, how do you two know each other?”

Well, it probably doesn’t matter either way.