Chapter 42: André Verber

The next day dawned, and we immediately started packing.

We moved to a hotel a bit farther from the previous one.

The new hotel was adjacent to the beach.

The kids seem to like it more, so that’s a relief.

Though it was far from where I had to meet someone soon, it was fortunate that the kids preferred it.

“Uncle might be late today. So, have fun with the manager Chrissy sent.”

At my words, Yuri nodded.

“Okay! Then, before you go, tell me your body measurements!”

“…Are you really going to buy clothes?”

“Of course! At least we need to style you!”

At Yuri’s insistence, I had nothing to say and just nodded.

I handed my card to Hye-yeon.

Don’t let them buy anything too expensive.

‘Okay! But I don’t know the dollar exchange rate…’

‘…Anything over $100 is a no.’

‘Oh! Got it!’

Some might say a rich guy like me shouldn’t buy such cheap clothes.

But I rarely go out anyway, and in our rural area, do I even need fancy ones?

It was better to spend that money on good food.

Suits are enough for me anyway.

Of course, I did have some clothes.

I owned outfits for important events like premieres or press conferences.

“Anyway, I’ll be back.”

“Will you have dinner with us?”

“Probably… not.”

It took a lot of time to get from the previous hotel to here.

I’d likely only return late in the evening.

“Really…?”

“Sorry. I’ll try to come back as soon as possible, though.”

“No, it’s fine! You don’t need to apologize, Uncle! We came along while you’re working!”

At Hye-yeon’s words, I smiled and said, “Then I’ll head out.”

“Uncle! Bring Melona when you come back!”

“Haha! Got it.”

I wasn’t sure if they sold Melona here, but I agreed anyway.

If not, I could get some melon-flavored dessert.

Alright… Let’s go.

André Verber.

Born in France, often called the cradle of art, he had always pondered deeply about what art truly was.

What is art?

Art praised by others?

Art acclaimed by critics?

Art loved by the public?

After much contemplation in his twenties, André reached a conclusion.

There’s no right answer in art. In fact… art is evil.

André concluded that art was the devil.

Sometimes it tempts people with sweet fruit, other times with incomprehensible flavors.

Even a simple line becomes art, and people confuse it with their own reason, ultimately succumbing to the devil’s temptation.

Then I should become the devil too.

André started with independent films to make his name known.

But strangely, all his works had a dark, sticky atmosphere.

Swamp of Death, Brothers, Bridge of Evil, A Century Later, Miracle of 24 Days, and so on.

They were all films about survival, war, and despair.

It doesn’t matter.

André’s philosophy on art was singular.

The devil.

Something you can’t reject even if you want to, can’t understand even if you try, can’t hate even if you despise it.

That was André’s view of art.

Among such artists, there was one writer André cherished the most.

This writer’s works… they’re so lovable.

It was Adele Louis’s works.

Each one drenched in sticky tragedy.

Not all were purely tragic, but the tragedy embedded in them never faded.

Yet, he kept watching.

Drawn into the torment he couldn’t escape, like the devil’s seductive touch, Director André found himself ensnared.

But he liked that torment.

It’s good… so good…

André’s favorite work was Leech.

The way humans cling like leeches, relying on something to achieve their goals, then flee once satisfied.

So realistic, yet so disgustingly sticky, it made Director André unconsciously grip his lower body.

This writer’s works aren’t good for blood pressure.

But what could he do?

He was human too, and it was pleasure, after all.

I want to meet him…!

He wanted to direct Leech.

Desperately so.

But he couldn’t.

Damn. If only my name carried more weight…

His lack of fame was the issue.

The reality was slightly different.

At the time, Yongsu Kwon had watched all of André’s films and reached a conclusion.

That André’s direction didn’t align with his own works.

But Papa was different.

Since André used hope appropriately, it seemed to fit, so he entrusted Papa to him.

Unaware of this, Director André worked to boost his reputation.

Finally…

Later, he secured the rights to Papa and met Adele Louis.

But he was soon disappointed.

Damn, we couldn’t talk more…

They hadn’t had enough conversation.

He wanted more dialogue, but somehow Adele Louis seemed to avoid him.

More! More! More! More! More! I want to talk! I want to enter his mind! Dive into his brain! Know everything—his thoughts, his workspace, even where he eats!

If he were a woman, he would have proposed marriage on the spot.

But he was already married.

How old is my daughter these days?

He even considered making Adele Louis his son-in-law.

His daughter was beautiful, so he was confident.

Thus, André eagerly awaited the day he could meet Adele Louis again.

The dinner is set!

Director André called his daughter right away, but unfortunately, she had a boyfriend.

Left with regret, André had no choice but to go to dinner alone.

“It’s been a while, Director.”

Thus, Director André finally met Adele Louis after what felt like ages.

Though it had only been two months.

“Oh my God!”

As soon as he saw Adele Louis, Director André hugged him tightly.

Smack! Smack!

He greeted him with kisses on the cheeks.

“It’s been too long! My love!”

“…”

Director André welcomed Adele Louis with a smile.

The European cheek kiss greeting.

I’d experienced it a few times during fan meetings in Europe.

What can I even say about this…

Fans varied.

Italian fans all did it, and especially French female fans did it often to me.

The problem was that André’s cheek kiss was a bit intense.

A middle-aged man with a bushy beard left my cheek slimy with saliva, which felt gross.

Still, it was better than last time.

The first meeting’s intense kiss from a middle-aged man had really shaken me.

“Are you okay, Writer-nim?”

“Yes. It’s… fine.”

When Director André wasn’t looking, I quickly wiped my cheek with a napkin.

Like last time, he had this boisterous yet honest personality.

I don’t dislike it… but it’s burdensome.

I appreciated his straightforward affection, but it was still overwhelming.

Director André beamed and said, “I reserved a Korean restaurant for you, who loves Korean food! Haha!”

“Really?”

I’d eaten Korean food for lunch yesterday and even in Canada.

Even so, it was thoughtful of him to consider me, so I was grateful.

“Have you tried Korean food before, Director André?”

“Of course! Korean restaurants are popping up in Paris these days! I went a few times because my daughter likes K-pop! Haha!”

“Oh. What’s your favorite dish then?”

At that, Director André chuckled and said, “Yang-nom chicken.”

He said it in awkward Korean, laughing.

At Director André’s words, I gave an awkward smile.

Is chicken even Korean food?

Chicken in Canada is tasty enough.

There were various franchise spots, but few sold seasoned chicken.

Having never tried it in Korea, I was curious about the taste of yangnyeom chicken.

Since I’m here, maybe try it with the kids?

LA has plenty of Korean spots, and Korean chicken franchises have expanded here, so it might be worth a visit.

“But this place is a BBQ spot— is that okay?”

“It’s fine. I’m great at grilling meat. Just trust me, my love!”

“…I’m a guy, you know?”

“What does it matter? I love your works—man or woman, who cares? Haha!”

It seems to matter.

“Let’s order first.”

Since today’s meal was just for chatting, it wasn’t formal.

At a four-person table sat me, Loony, Director André, and his manager.

“You pick.”

“Then…”

I ordered four portions of pork belly and two of pork neck.

We were all guys, and fairly built, so it felt like it might not be enough.

“Oh, did you see the script I sent?”

“Yes, I read it all. It was the final version, cleanly revised.”

As we waited for the order, we talked while the meat was prepared.

“What do you think? Any shortcomings? Was it okay?”

“Yes, well… It didn’t stray from my work, which was good. But finding an actor who can properly convey it might be tough.”

“That’s why I suggested we do casting together.”

“Yeah.”

In Yongsu Kwon’s view, Director André was skilled at using human emotions.

He had many works featuring instincts shown in crises.

This time, it’s about hiding emotions.

This time, the character has to conceal their feelings.

Not just emotions.

Personality, character, conflict, desires.

Everything must be hidden.

That’s why the connection between director and actor is key.

Director André was right.

That’s why I decided to join the casting sessions.

To find an actor who truly understood the emotions I felt while writing, I’d need to be there.

“But… Personally, I’d like to scout a rookie actor for this audition.”

“…A rookie?”

A rookie in a work requiring solid acting?

I stared at Director André, dumbfounded.