Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 12

12

A few days later.

The audition schedule for Daon Entertainment, which had lasted for about four days, came to an end.

It was an eventful audition.

The biggest characteristic of this audition was the absence of the CEO.

But it’s not like he didn’t participate at all.

“Haaam.”

As the CEO, the final decision-making power for the audition was entrusted to him.

“Kkeueueung.”

A man who looked endlessly young to be a CEO.

No, a man who didn’t feel any gravitas.

CEO Hwang In-gu, slumped crookedly on his desk, groaned for a long time from a headache and said.

“Ugh… my head is throbbing. Director Kim, do you have any hangover relief drinks left?”

He was asking for a hangover relief drink.

He had been drinking all night last night.

He spent over a thousand dollars on alcohol in a single day, so it would be strange if he didn’t have a headache.

‘To think this kind of person is the CEO.’

The smell of alcohol wafted from afar.

Director Kim Jong-hyuk, feeling a lack of respect, sighed briefly and said.

“I’ll go buy some.”

“These things should be stocked in the pantry in advance. Do I have to say this? Ah, I’m not talking to Director Kim. I’m talking to the staff below.”

“I’ll be careful.”

“Thank you for your hard work as always.”

Director Kim Jong-hyuk felt miserable at the sight of the pathetic CEO.

‘To think I have to entrust the final decision to someone suffering from a hangover.’

It was regrettable.

But he had stayed up for days preparing for this day.

While CEO Hwang In-gu spent the night drinking, he stayed up making materials to persuade CEO Hwang In-gu.

‘But he has a good sense. Let’s trust him.’

It was true that CEO Hwang In-gu’s usual behavior was pathetic.

But he also had his strengths.

A sense.

A sense that could be called animalistic.

He knew who to pick to make money for the company. CEO Hwang In-gu’s choices had never failed greatly so far.

Picking.

If it was skill, it was skill, and if it was luck, it was luck.

But Director Kim Jong-hyuk believed it was skill and opened his mouth.

“I’ve compiled a list of notable participants from the regular auditions held over the past few days.”

From the 1,000 participants who shone with passion during the four-day audition, he filtered out those who stood out.

80% were skilled enough.

And 20% were still lacking but had shining potential.

In addition, he planned to বিশেষভাবে [specially] emphasize the one person who could be considered the gem of this audition.

‘Was it Group 4, Number 17? His name was Lee Min-ki, I think.’

It was Lee Min-ki.

In Director Kim Jong-hyuk’s opinion, if he had to pick only one person from this audition, it would undoubtedly be him.

‘His basics are perfect, and his acting already has its own color. I can put him in the field right away without having to touch him much. First, slowly from minor roles in dramas… no, it’s enough to send him to supporting roles in movies right away.’

He was confident.

Lee Min-ki was a rare gem among the talents pouring out every year.

In terms of jewels, he was gold (金) [gold, symbolizing value and potential].

His minimum skill was guaranteed, and his potential was endlessly broad depending on how he was handled.

‘Even if the CEO seems indifferent, he’s still the CEO of an agency. He’ll pick him once he sees him. All I have to do is show him.’

He was confident.

Director Kim Jong-hyuk said with a voice filled with certainty beyond probability.

“I’ve organized them in order, so please check them and let me know what you think. There’s a good rookie in this audition, and this friend is outstanding.”

At those words, CEO Hwang In-gu replied casually without even looking.

“Okay, thank you. Let’s take a look slowly.”

“……!”

Director Kim Jong-hyuk’s eyes widened at that answer.

“Really?”

“Why are you so surprised? How long does that take?”

His voice was nonchalant.

But that was enough to fill Director Kim Jong-hyuk with joy.

‘Okay.’

From now on, he could drive him to judge with his eyes and ears.

“First, you can start with these candidates here.”

“Okay, okay. There aren’t many.”

“You can look forward to it.”

That’s what he thought as he finished watching one video.

“Hmm.”

CEO Hwang In-gu nodded and said.

“He’s good.”

“Yes, that’s…”

“But I’m sorry, what should I do?”

The next moment.

CEO Hwang In-gu pressed his eyes with his fingers and said.

“I’ve already picked someone to 뽑을 [pick] this time.”

“Yes?”

He had already picked someone.

What was he talking about?

Director Kim Jong-hyuk flinched at the unexpected words, and CEO Hwang In-gu continued.

“Who was it? We have an investment company called Ibrium. You know that pharmaceutical company, right?”

“Yes, the one where the CEO brags about his son often.”

It was the moment he agreed.

CEO Hwang In-gu smiled brightly and said.

“That’s right, that CEO’s son wants to try the entertainment industry, it seems.”

“……”

“I’ve seen his face a few times. He’s handsome. I don’t know about his acting, but his visuals are good enough to be an actor if he’s styled. He has the vibe.”

Kim Ji-hwan.

Considering that he would be well-received by the public in the near future and establish himself as a mid-level actor, it wasn’t entirely a wrong choice.

But Director Kim Jong-hyuk didn’t know that fact.

Even if he did, he couldn’t let go of Lee Min-ki.

He had no choice but to be horrified.

‘No, this can’t happen.’

It was the moment his face was filled with disbelief.

CEO Hwang In-gu said with a playful smile.

“He kept 붙어 [stuck to] me at the 술자리 [drinking party], so I said I understood.”

“Just a moment, CEO.”

“Just know that. I’ll give you the detailed list later. That son of his seems to have some potential.”

“Just a moment, even if that person is 괜찮 [okay], this participant’s 역량 [capability] is 탁월 [outstanding].”

“He’s a man.”

“That’s right, but……”

He wondered what Lee Min-ki’s gender had to do with it.

CEO Hwang In-gu chuckled and opened his mouth.

“You know how it is? We usually pick one man and one woman at our auditions. It can’t be helped.”

It was an absurd reason.

Director Kim Jong-hyuk, momentarily speechless, said urgently.

“But, this 신인 [rookie] is really good.”

“He’s that good?”

CEO Hwang In-gu turned around in his chair and asked.

“Enough to make an exception?”

“Yes.”

It was slowly the end.

Director Kim Jong-hyuk answered with a sense of 사명감 [sense of duty].

“If given enough time and opportunity, he may one day grow into Daon’s 대표 배우 [representative actor].”

대표 배우 [representative actor].

It was too heavy a word to utter while picking a 신인 [rookie].

But Director Kim Jong-hyuk was 진심 [sincere].

Because Lee Min-ki was one of the most 완성된 [complete] 신인 [rookie] he had ever seen in the industry.

“I’m confident. If you just approve it, I’ll make him into something no matter what.”

Let’s just pick him first.

Didn’t they say 낙장불입 [no take-backs]?

At least he could prevent him from going to another company.

‘I can put in the time.’

It was the moment he shouted with just that much in mind.

Was Director Kim Jong-hyuk’s persuasion worth it? CEO Hwang In-gu turned around again as if he was interested and said.

“That’s good. Then he’ll do well even if he goes somewhere other than Daon.”

“……”

It was a completely irresponsible remark.

Director Kim Jong-hyuk, 직감 [sensing] the end of the 설득 [persuasion] from that one word, opened his mouth blankly.

“CEO, just one more time.”

“He’s good, Director, you’re right. He’s definitely good. But he’s not our Daon style.”

It was an excessively subjective answer.

스타일 [style].

A word that was too subjective to discuss the objective ability of a 신인 [rookie].

At those words, Director Kim Jong-hyuk finally 깨달았다 [realized].

He was 틀렸다 [wrong].

There was no 답 [answer] to this.

It was a situation where he would 거절 [reject] no matter what reason he gave.

To 넘겨버리겠다 [hand over] another company without even 확인조차 [even checking] the 원석 [raw gem].

‘What if he 터뜨리면 대박 [becomes a huge hit] at another company?’

He was 속이 탔다 [burning inside].

He was 아둔 [foolish] to the point of 무책임 [irresponsibility].

He had 안 봤다면 몰라 [wouldn’t mind if he hadn’t seen him], but he had 보지 않았나 [hadn’t he seen him]?

But even in front of such a person, Director Kim Jong-hyuk had no choice but to 깨물고 꽉 [bite down hard] once and nod his head.

“……I understand.”

He was the 대표 [CEO] anyway.

Whether it was 죽이 됐든 밥이 됐든 [whether it turns out good or bad], Daon was his company.

* * *

A few days after Daon Enter’s audition.

Squeak.

The door of Jam Acting School opened, and a man appeared inside.

A man with 건들건들한 [swaggering] body movements that didn’t suit his age and clothes that seemed to be worn roughly. But for some reason, his unusual body line stood out.

“You’ve come.”

It was trainer Kim Ah-sung.

“Yes, 원장님 [Director].”

He sat down comfortably as if the 원장실 [Director’s office] was his own 안방 [living room] and just stayed still.

As if waiting for the other person to speak.

In the end, it was Director Park who spoke first.

“How did it go? The audition results.”

“Ah, that.”

Kim Ah-sung pulled his lips tightly for a moment and said.

“That’s right, I got the results this morning.”

The results of Daon Enter’s audition were officially announced.

As it was conducted on a small scale, the announcement came out in an instant, and Director Park paid attention to the results.

The bet that trainer Kim Ah-sung and he had been 진행했던 [conducting] for over a month.

The results are coming out now.

“So, what’s the result?”

At Director Park’s 재촉 [urging], trainer Kim Ah-sung laughed as if he was 뜸을 [stalling] and said.

“He failed.”

“……Who between student Lee Min-ki and student Yoo Seon-ah?”

“Both of them.”

That’s right.

The two of them 시원하게 탈락했다 [failed spectacularly] at this Daon Enter.

Cleanly, without even a little bit of 여지 [room for doubt].

“Hoo, I won.”

“That’s how it is. Congratulations, 원장님 [Director].”

Kim Ah-sung 이죽거렸다 [sneered] as always.

But Director Park 중얼거렸다 [muttered] with a 씁쓸한 [bitter] look as if there was something 걸리는 [bothering him].

“I don’t know if I should be 좋아해야 [happy about] this.”

“Why, you should be 좋아하셔야지 [happy]. You won the 내기 [bet], didn’t you?”

“That’s true, but.”

Director Park 깜빡이더니 [blinked] his eyes a few times and said.

“Anyway, the student 떨어졌잖습니까 [failed].”

“……”

“Knowing that he’s 열심히 [working hard], it’s not 도리 [right thing to do] as an 교육자 [educator] to be 기뻐하는 [happy].”

Last month.

Director Park 관찰했다 [observed] Lee Min-ki’s 연기 [acting] continuously.

He 담았다 [captured] in his two eyes without 빼놓지 [missing] a single day how he was 발전하는 [improving] and what kind of 연기 [acting] he was 준비하는 [preparing].

And he 내렸다 [came to] a 결론 [conclusion].

Lee Min-ki was 진심으로 노력하고 [sincerely trying], and he was 결코 무시당해 마땅한 사람이 아니라는 것을 [not someone who deserved to be ignored].

“……I didn’t expect you to say that, 원장님 [Director].”

“I also have an eye for people. Student Lee Min-ki has 분명 달라졌고 [definitely changed], and he 열심히 [works hard].”

He had 노력했다 [tried] enough to 뒤집을 [reverse] the 평가 [evaluation] of Director Park, who he had 내심 깔봤던 [secretly looked down on].

But that’s why Director Park didn’t understand trainer Kim Ah-sung’s 반응 [reaction].

“It may be a 실례가 될 질문 [rude question], but is it okay if I ask you something?”

“Tell me.”

Kim Ah-sung with a 표정 [expression] as if it wasn’t 대수롭지 [a big deal].

Director Park 가만히 바라보더니 [stared] his eyes and opened his mouth.

“Trainer, this 일 [matter] is 대수롭지 [not a big deal] than you thought?”

“……”

“I thought you had 애착 [attachment].”

“Well, what.”

Kim Ah-sung 돌리며 시선을 [averting his gaze] to the 책상 [desk] and 긁적이더니 [scratching] his 뺨 [cheek] and said.

“I didn’t like Daon Enter in the first place.”

That’s right.

Kim Ah-sung 진심으로 품고 [sincerely held] 반감 [antipathy] about the 기획사 [agency] called Daon Enter.

“It’s a place you can’t 좋아할 수가 [like] if you know the 돌아가는 사정 [situation]. I didn’t 애써 말리지 [try to stop] him because he wanted to go, but I would have 뜯어말렸 [stopped him] if I had the 기회 [chance].”

“Are you 진심으로 하시는 말씀 [being serious]?”

“I don’t 거짓말 [lie] with other people’s 미래 [future].”

Director Park 지그시 들여다보았다 [stared intently at] trainer Kim Ah-sung’s eyes.

The 눈빛 [eyes] that was 평소 장난기 가득 [usually full of playfulness] was 한없이 진지 [infinitely serious] without even 미동 [flickering] as much as now.

It was 진실 [truth].

He was a 장난기가 가득한 사람 [playful person], but he wasn’t a 사람 who 뱉는 거짓말 [person who tells lies].

He was 아쉽기마저 [even regretful] that Lee Min-ki happened to 지망한다는 [aspire to] that place.

‘The 대표 [CEO] is 어지간한 양반이지 [quite something].’

Trainer Kim Ah-sung’s 정보력 [information network] is 진짜배기 [the real deal] as much as the 커리어 [career] he has 쌓아온 [built up] in the 업계 [industry].

He has 가르친 제자만 [taught students alone] 세 자릿수가 한참 넘어서다 보니 [far exceeding three digits], he heard much more stories than what 도는 외부에서 [circulates from the outside].

Moreover, he was 한 수 위 [a step above] than the 대표 [CEO] of 어지간한 기획사 [most agencies] when it comes to auditions.

Of course, he knew well about Daon Enter as well.

“You know the 소문 [rumor], right? Daon is 대표 [CEO] 새…… is not, but the 대표 놈’s [CEO’s] 힘 [power] is 강하다는 거 [strong].”

“I’ve only heard 대략적으로 [roughly], but.”

“까놓고 말해서 [to put it bluntly], that’s 사실이걸랑요 [the truth]. Daon is 대표 놀이터 [CEO’s playground]. It’s nothing more and nothing less than that.”

“Is it that 정도 [level]?”

Kim Ah-sung 담담이 말을 이었다 [continued speaking calmly] to Director Park, who was 짓는 [making] a 놀란 표정 [surprised expression].

“I heard that he 호형호제 [fraternizes] with 별 깡패 같은 놈들 [gangster-like guys]? I also heard stories that he 맨날 클럽에 죽치고 술 마시면서 [always hangs out at clubs drinking] 강요 접대 [forces entertainment] to 소속 연예인 [affiliated celebrities] or 휘둘렀다는 빠따 [wielded a bat].”

Director Park’s 표정이 심각해졌다 [expression became serious] at the 말 [words] that was 쏟아지는 [pouring out] like 촌철살인 [biting remarks].

“That wasn’t a 루머 [rumor].”

“I have a 지인 [acquaintance] who is a 피해자 [victim]. In the first place, the 오디션 [audition] there is also a 소꿉놀이 [child’s play] where they pick people who fit the 사장’s [president’s] 입맛 [taste]. I don’t even know why the 심사위원들 [judges] are there.”

“으음 [hmm], I’m hearing too many stories today that I don’t think I should be 듣는데 [hearing].”

It was a story that only 아는 사람만 알 [people in the know know] as Director Park, who is a 나름대로 잘나가는 학원 원장 [relatively successful academy director].

But Kim Ah-sung said as if it wasn’t 대수롭지 [a big deal].

“Well, isn’t it 오프 더 레코드 [off the record]? They say you can 욕 [curse] even the 대통령 [president] in a 없는 자리 [private setting], so there’s no reason not to 깔 [criticize] one 깡패놈 [gangster].”

It’s also true that he was 화가 난 모처럼 [angry for once].

Kim Ah-sung said as if 감추듯 [hiding] the 속 [feelings] that was 끓는 모처럼 [boiling for once], shrugging his shoulders.

“Still, looking at how the company 굴러가는 [operates], he’s probably not a 마냥 무능한 사람 [completely incompetent person]. He likes 배우 [actors], so he probably has an eye for 배우 [actors]. He’s probably lucky too. But 굳이 [necessarily]? It’s not a place where a 능력 있는 사람 [capable person] would 굳이 찾아갈 [necessarily seek out], that’s all.”

There was a reason why he didn’t 막지 [stop] this even though he knew this fact.

He didn’t have the 의리 [loyalty] to 막 [stop] the 선택 [choice] of a student who was 스쳐 지나가는 잠깐 [passing by briefly], and he wasn’t the 성격 [personality] to 간섭 [interfere] by 굳이 나서며 [necessarily stepping in] other people’s 행동 [actions].

‘Daon is 감지덕지기도 [grateful] to 지망생들에게 [aspirants] even if it’s 이러니저러니 해도 [one way or another].’

He thought that if Lee Min-ki wanted to go to Daon, he could just 가면 [go].

But there’s something he 보고 느낀 [saw and felt] 지난 시간 [last time].

Lee Min-ki’s 실력 [skill] is 진짜다 [real].

He also has 재능 [talent]. But more than that, what should I call Lee Min-ki, 그래 [yes]. 집념 [tenacity].

Such a 집념 [tenacity] that could be called 필사적 [desperate].

‘There aren’t many people who 열심히 [work hard] that much even in the 현업 [industry].’

He does his best even in very 사소한 연기 [trivial acting].

He’s in the 기세 [spirit] as if he’s going to do this 연기 [acting] and die even if he dies tomorrow.

He was 이끌렸다 [drawn] to that.

At first, he approached it for 단순 재미 [simple fun], but at some point, he 진심으로 바라보게 되었다 [sincerely began to see] the person called Lee Min-ki.

Was it because of that?

From some moment, he felt 안타깝게 [sorry] that he was 지망한다는 [aspiring to] Daon, and in the end, he felt 외려 속이 시원하기까지 [rather relieved] when he saw the results.

‘It’s 당장은 [immediately] a 꼴 물러나는 한 걸음 [step back], but there are many places to 전진할 열 걸음 [move forward ten steps] even if it’s not 굳이 [necessarily] Daon.’

Kim Ah-sung knew how to 점칠 [predict] the 사람 [person] who would 성공할 [succeed] while looking at the 업계 [industry].

Freedom will come to Lee Min-ki soon too.

“Well, let’s just 넘어가고 [move on] this because that’s how it happened.”

Kim Ah-sung 피식 웃고는 [smirked] said.

“I have to 지켜야겠네요 [keep] the 약속 [promise].”

“약속 [promise]?”

Director Park 짓은 [made] a 어리둥절한 표정 [puzzled expression], and trainer Kim Ah-sung said as if 밷듯 툭 [spitting out].

“Didn’t we 내기 [bet]? If student 민기 [Min-ki] 붙으면 [passes] Daon, the 원장님 [Director] gives 전액 장학금 [full scholarship], and if he 떨어지면 [fails], I 해드리기로 [agreed to do] something. The 비공개 오디션 [private audition] that opens at the 학원 [academy].”

“Ah.”

Director Park 뱉었다 [exclaimed] a 짧게 탄성 [short exclamation].

That’s right, we made such a 약속 [promise].

‘I had 까맣게 잊고 어쩌다 보니까 [completely forgotten somehow].’

If I had to say a reason, it would be because Director Park was also 응원하고 [cheering on] Lee Min-ki without knowing it.

Because there are 좀처럼 [rarely] no people who will 가정 [assume] when the 응원하는 [cheering] person 실패했을 [failed].

“Well, that’s how it is.”

Kim Ah-sung 중얼거리더니 [muttered] as if 환기 주의 [drawing attention], 일어서며 [getting up] from his 자리 [seat] and said.

“I’ll 잡아보고 [check] the 일정 [schedule] regarding the 비공개 오디션 [private audition] and tell you again soon. 됐지요 [okay]?”

“Yes, I understand.”

That’s how the two people’s 짧은 대화 [short conversation] ended.

One person was 차올랐고 [filled] with new 기대감 [expectations], and the other person 느꼈다 안타까움 [felt regret].

The former was trainer Kim Ah-sung.

The latter was Director Park.

They were two people whose 생각이 완전히 바뀐 [thoughts completely changed] in just a month.

* * *

Jam Acting School 연습실 [practice room].

There were two students there from 이른 아침 [early morning].

“He’s not here.”

“I know. 쓰읍 [tsk], this situation is 돌아가는데 이상하게 좀 [going a bit strangely]?”

Yoo Seon-ah and Kim Tak.

The two people who had become 나름대로 죽이 맞게 [quite compatible] after 마주하다 [facing each other] for over a month.

They were 나누고 대화 [having a conversation] now with one person as the 주제 [topic].

“Min-ki is 늦네요 [late] today?”

It meant that Lee Min-ki was 지각했다 [late].