CH21

The year 2009 was cursed for Koreans.

It was because the holidays were arranged in such a way that both office workers and students would exclaim in frustration upon looking at their calendars, due to the lack of holidays.

The weekends included March 1st Movement Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and the Lunar New Year holidays that started on a Sunday.

This lineup alone was infuriating, but the Chuseok holidays, spanning from Friday to Sunday, served as the tragic finale.

Regardless of people lamenting, "Hey, give me back my public holidays," broadcasters struggled to attract viewers during these holidays.

Especially over the weekend, when the competition for viewership ratings was already fierce, with pilot programs aiming for regular slots, Chuseok special movies, and special episodes of existing variety shows.

A survival arena was set for the fittest, and every broadcaster was fervent in their promotions.

– All top idols gathered! Chuseok special Sweet Girl!

– What are the special movies this Chuseok by each broadcaster?!

Naturally, Producer Seong-won also joined this lineup.

– The challenge campaign that toured the nation! Now heading to the USA?!

– Chuseok special challenge campaign. A Hollywood child actor appears!

People's reactions to these enticing articles were mixed.

– Was expecting a Hollywood child actor, but why black hair?

└Oh? That's the kid. The one who gave a Corn dog to Ben Roberts.

└Giving a Corn dog and debuting in Hollywood! Really?

– Wow! Was wondering what he was up to, and he debuted as a child actor?!

└Child actor what. He's probably just an extra.

└Even if he's an extra, he's doing better than you writing this kind of stuff.

– Maybe the Corn dog giving photo was to promote the child actor?

└Are you kidding? What does Ben gain from doing that?

└Ben is notorious for disliking child actors. He would never do that.

With half of the people happy about the news of the child becoming an actor and the other half belittling the significance of being a temporary issue, the clearly divided reactions naturally led to noise marketing. 

However, as time passed, the production team grew more anxious.

"Mr. PD, there are more negative reactions."

"Ah, really, what sin did a mere elementary school kid commit to be attacked like this?"

It was considered fortunate that Ian was not Korean, as the internet was writhing with sinister malice.

"It's okay. The atmosphere will change drastically once Chuseok comes."

"Right, the shots did turn out well, didn't they?"

The production team was confident that public opinion would flip once the special aired, as it turned out to be entertaining enough even for the anxious director to acknowledge.

However, the production team's expectations were wrong. 

There was something that beat the Chuseok holidays.

– From the first episode of "Invisible Children", it was a hit!

– Who's an extra? The controversial Hollywood child actor revealed!

– Presence beyond his age! Noah's role received rave reviews!

The news that crossed the Pacific quickly turned public opinion around, and this result was immediately reflected during the Chuseok holidays.

– The winner of the Chuseok holiday! The challenge campaign's viewership rate was 24.3%!

Although weekend dramas, the weekend's strongest contenders, maintained a close second with nearly 30% viewership, the challenge campaign was clearly the winner.

With the success of "Invisible Children" and the rapid rise in interest in Korea, the attention it received was on a different level from the previous two events.

Thanks to this, Dylan, who was forced into a vacation, sighed deeply.

"Really, journalists are so extreme in every country."

"I'm sorry about this."

"Oh, no! It's fine for me. I got to take a break from work!"

Dylan waved his hands in shock. It wasn't something Ian had to apologize for, and Chloe's fierce glare from behind was terrifying.

There was a sense of determination as if she would tear him apart if he spoke nonsense.

Chloe, who warned Dylan with her eyes, patted Ian's head.

"Now that it's come to this, we really need to find our own place. I feel like we're causing too much trouble for the neighbors."

Ian's house was an old townhouse sharing walls, and the visitors were causing a nuisance to the neighbors.

Considering that they had to move out of their original home to live with Sophia, moving was essential.

"But I'm not sure if it's right to buy a house at times like these. Maybe we should just rent."

The 2008 financial crisis started with the collapse of the U.S. real estate bubble, and its effects are still ongoing.

The seemingly bottomless drop in house prices was enough to cause anxiety.

"I asked Ayla, and she said if it's not a house you plan to sell after a few years, buying might be okay."

"Really?"

It seemed that the advice heard by stars with money was different.

House prices tend to stay low for a long time once they drop, so there might be a bit more to fall, but in the long term, now was definitely an opportunity.

"She wished we would move to Beverly Hills, like her."

"That's an expensive neighborhood. Not every house is a mansion, so it's possible, but do we really need to move there?"

Dylan felt a lot had changed, even as he spoke.

It wasn't long ago that he was struggling with rent, and now he's mentioning Beverly Hills because of his bestselling condo.

Chloe looked at Ian and said,

"Forgot? Ian's going to be in middle school next year."

In the U.S., it's common to have 5 years of elementary school, 3 years of middle school, and 4 years of high school.

Considering the new school year starts in September, there's less than a year left until middle school. 

For school districts, it's hard to find a better place than Beverly Hills.

"Mom, I don't really need to go to a good school. I can do well anywhere."

Ian's confident response made Chloe smile gently.

"I know that. But it's not just about a good school; I'm thinking about your safety too."

At the mention of safety, Ian fell silent.

A well-known Asian child actor was just the right target for getting involved in crimes.

"It's not like he can walk around with a gun like when he was homeless."

Beverly Hills, with its many celebrities, was a good choice in terms of safety.

With its wealthy population, the city had abundant finances and could afford to operate a police force armed with good equipment.

"I'll discuss the house issue a bit more with Ayla and then decide."

"I feel so sorry to be a burden on someone who is already busy."

"I said that too, but Ayla insisted that if we're going to find a new house, we must consult with her. We're really grateful for that."

If Ayla was helping, there was nothing to worry about. 

With her connections, at least they wouldn't end up in a losing contract.

As the conversation about the house wrapped up, Dylan asked as if he just remembered something.

"By the way, what was that dubbing story?"

"It was an offer to try out for an animation dubbing audition."

Apart from the fact that Ben had asked, it wasn't a surprising offer.

"Using an Asian child actor is harder than using a voice actor who doesn't show his face."

Of course, being a good actor doesn't necessarily mean being a good voice actor. 

Acting through voice alone is a different kind of work.

Moreover, proposing an audition to Ian, whose abilities hadn't been fully verified yet, was quite a bold move.

"Really? Do you know what it's about yet?"

"They didn't say. But since they contacted me after watching YouTube, there might be a scene where I'm singing."

"Is it okay with the drama shooting? At least until the next season, it's confirmed."

"We can adjust the schedule. There's a break anyway."

American dramas usually have two major breaks during the year.

The breaks are from June to August when the regular season ends and the next season is prepared, and from November to January, during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year.

If necessary, they could make the most of these periods.

"And it's too early to get excited about an audition that hasn't even yielded results yet. I should go and see how the audition goes first."

Of course, there was no intention of missing out on the given opportunity.

***

Ian's first impression of the animation director who offered the audition was singular.

"Ben, this person's taste is quite consistent."

Even down to the blonde and blue eyes.

A woman with a similar appearance to Ayla greeted him warmly with a smile.

"I asked just in case, but I never imagined we'd actually meet. It's nice to meet you, I'm Melody Bliss."

"I'm Ian Pryce."

Melody took out a long piece of paper and a pen she had set aside.

"Could I get your autograph?"

What was spread out was a poster of "Invisible Children", specifically one featuring Ian alone.

After he skillfully signed it, she smiled happily.

"I've been really enjoying watching the drama these days. I really wanted to get this if you came. I hope it wasn't too rude?"

"If you like me, I'm happy."

Melody, who had carefully kept a signed poster, asked Ian.

"Have you ever been to a recording studio? You don't seem as unfamiliar as I thought you would be."

"It's because I often do ADR recordings for dramas. Though, I must say, the equipment here seems more complicated. Is this also a place for recording music?"

Inside the recording booth, there seemed to be something like instrument stands.

Impressed by Ian's observant eye, Melody nodded.

"Yes, because we also need to check your singing ability. That's why you were invited to this studio. Shall we do a little warm-up?"

"Warm-up?"

"Just sing 'Ten Little Indians' once inside."

Ian sighed inwardly at the mention of 'Ten Little Indians.'

It was a song that children at school annoyingly begged him to sing, and he had considered deleting the video regardless of the view count multiple times.

'I was worried about the backlash, so I never went through with it.'

Anyway, as expected, Ian went into the recording booth, sang the nursery rhyme, and came out.

Melody, who was wearing headphones next to the engineer, had a bright expression.

"See! It sounds so much better with good quality!"

"Really?"

"Of course. Want to listen? It's much different than when it's recorded on a camcorder."

Listening to it, the difference in sound quality was indeed significant. 

It resonated with what Rachel had described as having a "hole" in it.

After lightening the mood, Melody handed Ian a script.

"This is the script for the upcoming animation."

"Celestial Dragon? Is this about dragons from the East?"

"Yeah, it's still a working title for now."

Ian checked the script.

A single egg falls into Dragon Village, inhabited by dragons.

The creature that hatches from it is different from the four-legged dragons; it has a long, serpentine body like a dragon.

'It starts off like the ugly duckling.'

The beginning of the story was about dragons discriminating against the dragon for its different appearance and the dragons who willingly become friends with it.

The middle part starts with the weakening of the barrier between the sea and the sky, leading to humans invading, and the dragon, upon discovering the secret of its birth, achieving peace.

"It's like a hero's epic that starts with the ugly duckling story."

"If you put it simply, yes."

Ian remembered there being an animation like this.

It was quite popular with its cute dragon and dragon characters.

"How about it? Does it look interesting?"

"It looks good. So, what role will I be playing?"

"It's not confirmed, but the role I'd like you to play is Raul, the dragon who bullies the protagonist."

Ian quickly skimmed through Raul's role.

He was a character who had bickered and fought with the protagonist since childhood but eventually sacrificed himself for the protagonist, showing redemption.

"Are you worried because he's a villain at the beginning?"

"I'm a little disappointed that there isn't much screen time, but I like it. But why did you think of me for the role of Raul?"

"The biggest reason we chose you for Raul's role is actually because of this song."

At Melody's cue, the engineer played a song.

Between the lively beats, playful lyrics hopped and skipped around.

It was an addictive song that strangely lingered on the lips.

"I'd like you to sing this. If possible, for the dubbing in other countries too."

More addictive than 'Ten Little Indians.'

This was what Melody hoped for from Ian.

TL/n - 

You can read 

Hollywood Actor (up to Chapter 50+)

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