Chapter 3

The situation developed faster than expected. Just a week after the movie investment was finalized, Li Tingxiang, who had just returned to the country, called the Jin Yingxi couple, hoping that Wood could quickly head to Seoul. It turned out that after the movie investment was confirmed, due to the impact of Li Tingxiang's two successful films from last year, the location, staff, equipment, supporting actors, and the other lead actor who had already been cast all fell into place quickly. Therefore, Wood had to set off for Korea immediately.

"Wood, no, from now on, you must remember to call yourself Jin Zhongming. When you get to Korea, remember to call me. Senior Li Tingxiang will pick you up at the airport and take you to your grandparents' house. Don't be naughty there. In about half a year, when Thanksgiving comes, we and Uncle Li's family will move back to Seoul. You can stay there and wait for us," Jin Zhongming's mother, Quan Zhenshu, said while packing his clothes and giving him detailed instructions.

"That's right, Zhongming," Jin Yingxi tried to change her way of addressing him. "When you get to Seoul, just settle down. We'll be there soon. Sica and Seulgi will also be there soon, and Beck will go too. I heard the movie starts shooting in three days. You must take it seriously; it will be a significant experience for your future life. Just think of it as a summer camp."

"Ah..." Wood sighed deeply. Honestly, although he always considered himself an adult, the thought of going to Korea alone and staying there for half a year before reuniting with his family made him feel quite melancholic.

"Can Beck come with you?" Wood was a bit worried.

"Don't worry, the quarantine process is quick," Quan Zhenshu answered seriously.

"Have you arranged your work there yet?"

"Don't worry, it's being arranged, and there shouldn't be any major issues."

"Where will Sica and Seulgi stay when they return? Will they be close to us?"

"Very close, don't worry, we'll still be neighbors."

"That's good." Jin Zhongming nodded. He wanted to say something but didn't know what, so he changed the subject and blurted out, "This movie will definitely be a big hit!"

Stepping outside, Sica and Princess Seulgi were at the door, and the Zheng couple chatted with the Jin Yingxi couple, giving the children some space. Jin Zhongming walked up, picked up little Seulgi, kissed her cheek gently, and asked, "Is our Princess Seulgi here to see off her oppa?"

"Wood, are you going to Korea for a summer camp? Will you miss me at the summer camp?" Princess Seulgi must have been prompted by her parents.

"Seulgi is so smart. I am going to Korea for a summer camp. Don't worry, how could I forget our little princess? I'll take you out to play during Thanksgiving." Jin Zhongming's words made little Seulgi happy, and she clapped her hands to show her agreement. So, Jin Zhongming gently put the little girl down.

"Wood, you're going to Korea to shoot a movie, right?" Compared to 5-year-old Seulgi, 10-year-old Sica seemed much more carefree. Upon hearing that Jin Zhongming was going back to Korea to shoot a movie, she excitedly made a list, asking Jin Zhongming to bring back signatures from Korean stars and to return to Los Angeles before her mid-term exams to help her with her studies. Well, there are mid-term and final exams in the U.S. too, but compared to Asian parents, parents of other ethnicities seem to pay less attention to them. Considering the girl's level, Jin Zhongming could only mourn silently in his heart.

Two hours later, as Jin Zhongming was about to be handed over to the flight attendant who would take care of him, he held Jin Yingxi's hand and pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket, handing it to his father. It was a lottery ticket. Wood told his poor father that this ticket, which bets on the Spurs winning the championship, could be used as his private stash. Jin Yingxi was so moved that he shed tears on the spot.

At this time, the new millennium had not yet arrived, and there were no tablets or smartphones with decent games on the plane. So, Jin Zhongming read the newspaper for a while and then fell asleep until he woke up naturally. Upon waking, looking out the window at the clouds, Jin Zhongming couldn't help but follow the direction of the plane, extending his gaze all the way to China. Twelve years were enough to make him forget some things, but there were also things that twelve years couldn't erase. But there was nothing he could do; the people and things there were probably different now.

Thus, in a daze, Jin Zhongming finally set foot on the land of Seoul. It wasn't his first time in Korea or Seoul, but this was the first time he felt so moved.

To pick up Jin Zhongming, not only was Li Tingxiang there, but also her bearded fiancé, Zhang Enhao. Li Tingxiang was a thoughtful person and could tell at a glance that the little guy was in low spirits. So, on the way, she didn't talk much about the movie; she just gave him the script and instructed him to read it carefully. She said that Zhang Enhao would pick him up the morning after next to take him to the film set.

Jin Zhongming's grandfather was a high-ranking civil servant who had worked in the Korean Ministry of Finance for most of his life. He had been a section chief for 10 years and was promoted to a fourth-level civil servant at the age of 56, a year ago. Most civil servants retire around the age of 52, but those who reach the level of a fifth-level civil servant, such as a bureau chief or a section chief in a central department, usually retire around the age of 60, as they are considered leaders. From a young age, Jin Zhongming had always found his grandfather to be very authoritative, but no matter how authoritative he was, he wouldn't show it to his grandson. He had been very happy to hear that his son's family was moving back to Seoul, and he was even happier that his grandson had arrived early. However, he was a bit upset to learn that Jin Zhongming would be leaving to shoot a movie the morning after next. Jin Zhongming once thought his grandfather was prejudiced against the acting profession. This was his ignorance, as he had been reborn and was just a normal Chinese otaku in his previous life, with only a superficial understanding of Korean affairs. This life, having grown up in the U.S., he only knew about Korean customs and language. If it weren't for his connection to Song Xi, he might not have recognized the two little girls at all.

In fact, even in the Korean entertainment industry, there are different levels. Generally, the highest status in the Korean entertainment industry is held by film directors, followed by TV directors, film actors, TV actors, musicians, and idols (like Sica and Seulgi in Jin Zhongming's memory). At the bottom are the comedy entertainers. Film is considered an art form, and successful Korean film directors can even become the Minister of Culture. Film and TV actors are seen as slightly above average jobs and are considered to have some status in a country where face is everything. Idols, while the most popular among teenagers and the most desired career choice, are seen as slightly below the average social status by older generations. Comedy entertainers are even worse, and many of them come from poorer backgrounds. Of course, Jin Zhongming knew that as time progressed, these status differences would become less pronounced, and the popularity of stars would help bridge the gap. In a few years, with the rise of the Korean Wave, idols would start crossing over, blurring the lines between these professions. He also knew that after 2013, a comedy entertainer named Liu Zaishi, with his broad-minded and detached attitude, would almost single-handedly dismantle these status differences, staging a remarkable comeback from the bottom of the entertainment industry.

So, to clarify, Jin Zhongming's grandfather wasn't upset because he was going to become a child actor in a movie. It was because he heard that the movie would be shot in the mountains of Gyeongsangbuk-do for one or two months. His grandson had just arrived and was about to go to the mountains to endure hardship, which made him very unhappy. However, upon hearing that the contract had already been signed and that the movie seemed to have his son's investment, he reluctantly gave in.