Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 43

43

After the filming of [Forever Green].

Lee Min-ki focused on one thing.

‘I lack input.’

It was about accumulating input.

He watched movies, dramas, and went to see musicals.

If necessary, he even requested on-site tours.

Absolute input.

This was the part Lee Min-ki felt most regretful about while filming [Forever Green].

‘Seeing things after your perspective has broadened is completely different from seeing them before.’

Anyone can watch, analyze, and admire someone else’s acting.

But what about the next step?

Reflecting the acting that you’ve crammed into your head back onto yourself.

Lee Min-ki was spending time training to overcome this step.

Of course, he wasn’t just lazing around.

“Please take good care of me today!”

“……Min-ki, your vocalization seems to be getting better and better.”

“Was my voice too loud?”

“No. It’s good to be energetic.”

He also didn’t forget to visit CEO Yoo Gyu-eon’s shopping mall to work as a fashion model.

Modeling work was also a good learning experience in that it involved being aware of other people’s gazes and learning attitude (demeanor), and JC Entertainment respected the actor’s will in this regard.

It was also fun.

“These clothes are nice too, aren’t they?”

Moreover, it had been even more so lately.

“How should I put it? It feels like the clothes fit me perfectly.”

Lee Min-ki, wearing the clothes he had received, changed poses in front of the mirror several times, examining the details.

And he repeatedly exclaimed in admiration.

‘I used to feel like I was wearing someone else’s clothes, but now it feels like I’m wearing clothes that fit me.’

It felt as if he was wearing a custom-made suit.

Surprised, he kept wondering about the reason, and CEO Yoo Gyu-eon said with a satisfied expression.

“I’m always thinking about clothes that fit Min-ki’s body type.”

“My body type?”

“Yes, there’s no need to mention it specifically, but even similar styles of clothes can become completely different depending on the body type of the person wearing them.”

CEO Yoo Gyu-eon slowly scanned Lee Min-ki from top to bottom as he spoke.

“If I were to point out Min-ki’s characteristics, let’s see. Basically, you have a small head and broad shoulders. Your posture is upright. Your overall proportions are good.”

“Haha…… You’re flattering me too much.”

“But compared to professional models, you do have weaknesses. For example, your average height.”

For a moment, his heart stung.

But it was true.

His height was around 178cm, which was not particularly outstanding in this industry where models exceeding 180cm were abundant.

“If we were to consider the height of your legs, the angle of your pelvis, and even the length of your neck in detail, you’re still far from a professional model.”

The shortcomings continued one by one.

“The posing and the colors of your face are also factors. Models with overly defined features can actually overshadow the colors of the clothes, which can be dangerous at times.”

These were words that resonated even more because he was usually a good person.

Just as Lee Min-ki’s self-esteem was about to plummet to the size of a single leaf due to the relentless, dagger-like criticisms.

“But.”

Words completely contrary to what he had said earlier popped out of CEO Yoo Gyu-eon’s mouth.

“That’s Min-ki’s strength.”

It was the beginning of a twist.

“Min-ki isn’t just someone with a good physique, but a realistically handsome physique that one might expect to see. But when you actually look for it, it’s hard to find. You’re walking a tightrope between a moderately decent physique and a very outstanding physique.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Yes, I think it’s even better than having alien-like proportions as a ready-made clothes model.”

That’s a relief.

It seemed to be a compliment.

One leaf of self-esteem that had almost fallen from Lee Min-ki’s inner self was glued back on with super glue.

“That’s why I’ve been constantly thinking about what clothes would suit Min-ki.”

CEO Yoo Gyu-eon continued, walking back and forth in the corner of the shopping mall office.

“I adjusted the neck collar to suit your small head, and I tweaked the shoulder line little by little to accentuate your broad shoulders. It was strange because even when I adjusted the measurements, they would be off after a while.”

“Ahem.”

It was thanks to his dedication to exercise.

Under Director Kwon Jun-yong’s insane management, he had been doing latissimus dorsi (back muscle) and deltoid (shoulder muscle) exercises until his bones were grinding away.

[I heard it’s hard to broaden your shoulders.]

[Yeah, it doesn’t broaden no matter how hard you try.]

[I saw on the internet that there are quite a few people who don’t get any results even if they try.]

[That’s because they’re not trying hard enough to die. If you try hard enough to die, it broadens.]

Even though it only increased by 1mm at a time, the difference was significant because everyone’s shoulders were so similar.

The effect of his head appearing smaller and his shoulders appearing broader was also a factor.

“So, for the past few months, I’ve been constantly thinking about what clothes would suit Min-ki.”

CEO Yoo Gyu-eon said, taking out a hanger from the closet.

“I think I’ve slowly found my own answer these days.”

In his hand, as he said that, was a piece of clothing.

‘That’s.’

It was a coat.

A coat with a clean line extending straight from the top in a light gray color.

A unique point was that there weren’t many decorations.

“Min-ki, do you know how to cook?”

“Just enough for self-sufficient cooking.”

“I see. When it comes to cooking, there’s a saying. The better the ingredients you use, the more you tend to emphasize the taste of the ingredients themselves rather than embellishing the flavor with trivial tricks. Seasonings and side dishes too.”

He held the coat and gradually walked towards Lee Min-ki as he spoke.

“It’s a minimalist look. Except for the bare minimum of necessary details, I boldly removed everything else to emphasize Min-ki’s physique.”

Minimalist look.

It meant a fashion that maximized the beauty of simplicity.

It looked neat at first glance, so anyone could wear it without difficulty, but it was a fashion that required a natural physique to truly bring out the taste of the fashion itself.

Among them, it was a minimalist look perfectly tailored to Lee Min-ki’s body type.

“It’s a prototype. Take a look slowly.”

Lee Min-ki, who received the coat from CEO Yoo Gyu-eon, admired the luxurious fabric and muttered.

“Wow…… The level of completion is outstanding. All the clothes you’ve made so far have been good, but this one feels really different.”

“Because I made it with effort.”

CEO Yoo Gyu-eon happily accepted Lee Min-ki’s praise of the clothes as praise for his own ability.

In fact, that was also true.

However, Lee Min-ki asked back as if he was wondering about one thing.

“CEO, didn’t you originally not make coats?”

At those words, CEO Yoo Gyu-eon nodded.

“Yes, I didn’t.”

That was exactly right.

CEO Yoo Gyu-eon had made various kinds of clothes, but he hadn’t touched coats in particular.

To be precise, he did make them.

He just didn’t sell them.

CEO Yoo Gyu-eon calmly explained the reason.

“Coats cost a lot to make. Since you wear them for a long time once you buy them, small-scale production is essential due to low sales volume. Since you can’t make a lot, you sell less. So it inevitably becomes expensive. In terms of sales price, it’s dozens of times more expensive than a T-shirt, but the labor costs are also that much higher.”

It was a product with a high risk.

Like a high-tech tree unit in an RTS game [Real-Time Strategy game].

Once you 뽑으면 [ppop-eu-myeon – Korean for ‘ 뽑다 (ppopda)’ which means to pick, select, or draw] it has good performance, but if you 뽑아 놓고 [ppoba nohgo – Korean for ‘뽑아 놓다 (ppoba nohda)’ which means to have picked, selected, or drawn something and left it] and it fails, the loss is also great.

“So, if I were to make one, I had to find someone who could wear it well first.”

CEO Yoo Gyu-eon said that, looking at Lee Min-ki.

“…….”

After standing there blankly for a moment.

Lee Min-ki finally realized what CEO Yoo Gyu-eon was trying to say.

‘He’s been constantly looking for a model that fits his clothes.’

That’s me.

CEO Yoo Gyu-eon must have met many professional models, but he passed them over and chose me.

It was burdensome, but at the same time, it was also pleasing.

Wasn’t it a sign that he was being recognized as more than just a temporary model?

That’s why he could say it sincerely.

“Thank you.”

Thank you for recognizing me.

“I’m the one who’s thankful.”

At this moment, Lee Min-ki thought he was lucky.

He had met a talented designer and solved his living expenses, and he had gained another opportunity to move forward as a ready-made clothes model.

He couldn’t help but say he was lucky.

But if you look deeper, they were both lucky to have each other.

CEO Yoo Gyu-eon’s luck was meeting someone named Lee Min-ki.

Luck is reciprocal.

If he had tried to use and discard him, this kind of luck would not have come to him either.

“Since we’re on the topic, why don’t you try it on?”

“……Ahem. Yes, just a moment.”

It was in the midst of a slightly awkward atmosphere passing by.

Vroom――

Lee Min-ki’s phone rang fiercely.

“Ah, just a moment.”

When Lee Min-ki took out his phone and answered the call, the call that came this time was also unexpected.

It was a call from Manager Park Han-mo.

“A press screening?”

[Forever Green].

He was told to attend the press screening of the work that had finished filming a while ago.

But this was a surprising offer for Lee Min-ki.

‘I’m a rookie, though?’

Usually, it was customary for only the director, lead actors, and well-known supporting actors to attend the press screening stage.

It was rare to have a complete rookie actor attend the event.

This was because the face of the actor who participated in the press screening would soon be on the media and become the face of the movie.

There was no particular reason to dilute the promotional power by putting forward a rookie.

That’s why he couldn’t help but be even happier.

“Thank you! I’ll definitely go!”

Lee Min-ki was repeatedly expressing his gratitude to Manager Park Han-mo over the phone.

“Yes?”

The words that followed were even more difficult to understand.

– There’s no particular dress code, but it would be good to dress neatly if possible. Like a suit or a coat? If you don’t have one, it might be a good opportunity to look for a custom-made one. I’ll look for some good sponsors.

He was told to dress well.

But.

‘I have one?’

Coincidentally, Lee Min-ki had something that could be called a custom-made outfit.

And it was right in front of him.

A prototype that a very talented designer had personally made over several months, understanding his body type.

Lee Min-ki felt a chill down his spine at the coincidence, as if God had meticulously planned it, and said.

“Um, Manager, could you possibly come over here for a moment right now?”

-Yes?

“I have one. A custom-made coat.”

* * *

Next week.

The full-scale press screening of [Forever Green] was held at COEX [Convention & Exhibition Center, a large venue often used for events in South Korea].

A press screening was a place to say, “We’re going to release something like this soon, so come and watch it and give us your evaluation.”

You could say they were spreading sources to the press.

To put it bluntly, it was opened to have them take good pictures and write promotional articles.

“Hoo.”

Joo Hana, who had unexpectedly been invited to attend, smoothed her pounding chest.

It was inevitable that she would be nervous because there were so many people.

“Are you nervous?”

Actor Kang Do-won glanced at her and said.

“Ah, no. I’m okay.”

At Joo Hana’s words, who was trying not to show it, Actor Kang Do-won turned his head.

Perhaps it was because of his natural face, but he was heavy.

The moment she felt like his gaze was looking at her with disdain, she unconsciously shrank back.

“Everyone’s like that when they’re a rookie, so don’t worry about it. Just enjoy it.”

Actor Kang Do-won said nonchalantly.

“Be conscious not to tuck your chin in when the camera flashes, and be careful not to flare your nostrils.”

“Ah.”

It was warm advice.

But for some reason, it was funny that the words “flaring your nostrils” came out of the mouth of a senior actor.

With a small laugh, the tension in Joo Hana’s heart was relieved a little.

“Thank you!”

“You don’t have to thank me.”

Kang Do-won was the type of person who was considerate of those around him, even though his expression and tone were stiff.

Meanwhile, one person soon came to Joo Hana’s mind.

‘By the way, I wonder when Min-ki will be here.’

She was personally looking forward to seeing Lee Min-ki.

That person had an unusually seasoned feel for a rookie, so would he show that composure even at an event like this?

‘I’m getting curious for no reason.’

It was in the midst of that.

“Who is that person?”

“Wow.”

For a moment, she heard a commotion in the distance, and then a person appeared, cutting through the crowd.

“……!”

At the sight of the person who appeared at the end, Joo Hana widened her already large eyes even more.

“You’re here first.”

“…….”

“Hana?”

“…….”

“Hana.”

“Ah, yes, nec……!”

She stuttered in surprise and accidentally bit her tongue.

It was terribly embarrassing.

But it was unavoidable.

Don’t you have times like that sometimes?

When you see someone with excessively good visuals, your brain malfunctions for a moment.

The fact that the lighting pouring out from behind Lee Min-ki emphasized his silhouette and created a masterpiece reminiscent of the Renaissance also played a part.

‘The fit of his clothes is crazy.’

Lee Min-ki lightly turned his gaze, whether he knew that or not, and muttered.

“Oh, I guess it’s because Actor Kang Do-won and Actor Choi Yu-chang are here. I feel gazes from all directions.”

No, it’s because of you.

It’s you, you.

You.

Joo Hana barely swallowed the words that came up to her chin.