Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 90

Episode 90

‘Lee Min-ki, you son of a bitch. Lee Min-ki, you bastard. Lee Min-ki, you son of a bitch. Lee Min-ki, you bastard. Lee Min-ki, you son of a bitch. Lee Min-ki, you bastard. Lee Min-ki, you son of a bitch. Lee Min-ki, you bastard.’

CEO Hwang In-gu ground his teeth, pacing around the office in angry strides.

If it were any other day at Daon Entertainment, someone would have been around to read his mood, but not this time.

Why?

[I’m resigning.]

In the aftermath of the scandal, the majority of the staff had left Daon.

They left without proper handover, making a clean break.

Among them, one figure stood out.

‘Kim Jong-hyuk, you son of a bitch! I fed and raised a nobody, and he bites the hand that feeds him?’

It was none other than Director Kim Jong-hyuk.

He had apparently been receiving scouting offers from other companies and took his close aides with him all at once.

*I knew he had complaints, but to stab me in the back like this.*

Of course, Director Kim Jong-hyuk’s side of the story should be considered as well.

It was CEO Hwang In-gu himself who had thoroughly stripped him of his personnel authority and used him like a puppet.

‘Come to think of it, that bastard liked Lee Min-ki to an unusual degree.’

CEO Hwang In-gu stopped walking, recalling the past.

‘He insisted on hiring Lee Min-ki, and when I refused, he’s been holding a grudge ever since?’

That was one of the reasons.

Kim Jong-hyuk had begged and pleaded to hire someone who turned out to be the best rookie, but CEO Hwang In-gu dismissed it, citing personal preferences, so resentment was bound to remain in his heart.

But.

‘A guy who knows the industry as well as he does is pulling such petty tricks?’

It was all the same to CEO Hwang In-gu.

*Is the entertainment business a joke? If you get jealous every time a rookie you passed on succeeds elsewhere, you can’t survive.*

‘Lee Min-ki, Lee Min-ki, Lee Min-ki. Why is everything connected to you?’

His head was boiling.

The trouble with Kim Ji-hwan was because of Lee Min-ki.

Director Kim Jong-hyuk leaving was because of Lee Min-ki.

The strained relationship with the pharmaceutical company, Ivreum, which he had struggled to establish, was probably because of Lee Min-ki.

Most of all.

‘Lee Min-ki, that bastard, to be a whistleblower.’

It was Lee Min-ki who struck at Daon’s vital point.

Of course, it was all CEO Hwang In-gu’s fault from head to toe.

If he had listened to Director Kim Jong-hyuk even once, this wouldn’t have happened.

No, if he hadn’t sent those thugs to teach him a lesson, it would have been fine.

No, not even that.

If he hadn’t tried to exploit Kim Do-ha’s weaknesses, this wouldn’t have happened.

No, there’s more.

It was about how he had lived his life.

‘Gu In-mo, did that son of a bitch stab me in the back?’

JC’s Gu In-mo was suspicious.

Why were things that should only be suspicions turning into concrete evidence?

‘No, there’s a possibility that Kim Do-ha, that bug, betrayed me.’

Nothing would be strange.

No matter who in the world he suspected of betraying him, it would be perfectly natural.

‘Joo Hyun-woo? Lee Do-kyung? Im Jin-wook? Yoo Sung-bin? Kwak Sung-ho?’

There was no end.

With all the misdeeds he had accumulated, even if he suspected everyone, he couldn’t find an answer.

Historically, there’s a reason why dictators suffer from distrust of humanity.

Even someone like Hwang In-gu had so many skeletons in his closet that it wouldn’t be strange if his whole body turned into a cactus.

“……Kheuheuheuk.”

CEO Hwang In-gu, unable to withstand the heat rising deep within his skull, collapsed to the floor.

‘Should I stab Lee Min-ki? No, there’s still a lot I haven’t used.’

Even in this situation, there was a reason why they couldn’t bring themselves to attack Lee Min-ki in the media.

First.

Too many people were involved.

Imagine if it became known that Daon had stirred up trouble by messing with one measly actor.

He would immediately be kidnapped, buried in concrete, and found in the West Sea [a common euphemism for disposing of a body].

And second.

The extent of the evidence Lee Min-ki possessed was unknown.

‘Hiding his cards? What is he aiming for?’

There were many sensitive cards.

Cards that couldn’t be ignored.

Leaving them untouched without revealing them was not much different from leaving room for something.

Of course, from Lee Min-ki’s perspective, he was filtering things out, considering the impact on the victims.

In the process of digging into sensitive areas, he could inadvertently cause secondary harm to the victims.

It was simply that.

But.

‘He’s aiming for something.’

This was something CEO Hwang In-gu couldn’t even imagine.

To him, other people’s wounds were not something to be hidden but to be exploited.

An unrewarded favor was merely the domain of a fool.

His way of thinking was so different that he couldn’t help but drift further away from the truth.

In the end.

There was nothing CEO Hwang In-gu could do in this situation.

Except count the number of lawsuits that would pour in from investors like holiday gifts.

“Uwaaaaaak! Lee Min-ki, you XXXXX!!”

Ppagagak!

CEO Hwang In-gu swung a baseball bat engraved with the Lotte Giants logo, continuing to smash the office furniture.

Still muttering nasty curses under his breath.

‘Lee Min-ki…… remember this well, killing you is nothing.’

Of course, only in his delusions.

* * *

While Daon’s office was in chaos, JC’s office was as quiet as a community center in heaven.

Director Seo Jung-woo said with a gentle smile.

“Actor Lee.”

“Yes.”

“Why did you hide it?”

“Well, that’s…”

“You must tell us honestly.”

“……”

Lee Min-ki was being interrogated.

So, what was this interrogation about?

“Going to clubs is fine. Hanging out with women is fine. But you should at least inform us of the specific situation so we can respond to the media.”

It was about Lee Min-ki hiding things.

More than anything else, it was a big deal that he had been vague about the leaked photos.

Then, an explanation came late, so JC couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.

“I was honestly worried that you had committed a sex crime. I thought that’s why you were trying to hide the situation.”

Director Seo Jung-woo continued in a soft but sharp voice.

Next to him.

“Come on, Min-ki doesn’t have that kind of nerve.”

Trainer Kim Ah-sung chuckled, rustling a bag of snacks.

“Trainer, please excuse yourself.”

“I’ve taught Min-ki, and I know he’s crazy about acting. He likes acting more than women. He’ll probably marry acting.”

“I said excuse yourself.”

“Min-ki is the one who’s fallen for acting.”

It’s a headache.

Director Seo Jung-woo, unable to withstand Trainer Kim Ah-sung’s trolling, sighed deeply.

“So, do you have anything to say?”

“Well, that’s…”

Lee Min-ki finally opened his mouth.

*Either way, he was involved in the incident, so he had to say something.*

‘Compared to the real mastermind being exposed, it’s better to end it here.’

Lee Min-ki cleared his throat and said.

“I thought I’d get in trouble if a rookie actor was caught going to a club.”

“We won’t scold you. It’s not like the days when a thirty-two-year-old idol had a public hearing for dating, and Min-ki isn’t even an idol in the first place.”

Softly and gently.

That’s why it stings more.

At this point, he felt like he had said everything he needed to say, and he was wondering what kind of nagging would come next.

“It may feel bitter for me to say this, but it’s all because I’m worried about you…….”

Bang!

The office door opened abruptly, and an employee rushed in, shouting.

“Actress So-yoo’s dating scandal broke out!”

“Yes?”

“The article just came out, and it’s a mess! She went to Jeju Island with a male actor who is 14 years older and was caught holding hands…… She’s not answering her phone either.”

“Where is she? I’m going right now.”

Lee Min-ki, feeling somewhat bewildered by the sudden change in reaction, asked back.

“Director, you said it’s okay to date. Actress So-yoo is the same age as me….”

“She’s from an idol background.”

“……”

Ah, that’s right.

*I just found out that she’s from an idol background.*

Director Seo Jung-woo, you seem to be speaking logically, but you’re actually saying whatever comes out of your mouth.

‘Oh well, whatever.’

Since he was tired of hearing more nagging, Lee Min-ki decided to go along with it.

“Go ahead.”

“Let’s continue our conversation when I get back.”

With that, Director Seo Jung-woo hurriedly left the office.

It’s a mess.

Just when he was wondering what else could be said and was about to get up to prepare for a new project and practice acting or exercise.

“Min-ki.”

Trainer Kim Ah-sung chuckled and called him.

“Yes?”

“Don’t do that kind of thing in the future.”

“Was lying a bit bad?”

It was the moment he was about to make another excuse.

Trainer Kim Ah-sung waved his hand as if he was annoyed and said.

“No, I’m telling you not to do dangerous things. Like going around reporting things. If you’re going to do something, at least consult with the company. What are you doing on your own? What if you get stabbed? I’ve told you several times that CEO Hwang In-gu is a psychopath. Min-ki, are you filming a spy movie?”

Nagging in a different direction from Director Seo Jung-woo poured out.

Lee Min-ki’s body stiffened like a stone at the words that followed like a deadly strike.

His pupils trembled like an aspen leaf.

“Teacher, how did you know that?”

“I told you, I know a lot of people. There are ways.”

“……You know a lot of people?”

Trainer Kim Ah-sung shook his head and said.

“No, it’s just a joke among some people. Most people treat it as a rumor. Who would believe that a rookie actor blew up a company by reporting it? But Min-ki, who knows? What happens when rumors are repeated?”

“……It’s a fact.”

“No smoke without fire.”

“There’s no fire.”

“If you fix your shoelaces in a melon field?”

“He’s the culprit.”

“That’s right, be careful if you know.”

Trainer Kim Ah-sung smirked and got up.

“I’ll keep it a secret from Seon-ah and Tak, but if something like this happens in the future, at least tell me. Aigo, how can I live with this frustration.”

He said that and left the office.

After Director Seo Jung-woo and Trainer Kim Ah-sung left, Lee Min-ki, who was left alone, let out a small hollow laugh.

‘Am I being played right now?’

*I’m sure it was said that it was only known as a rumor.*

They verified it as a fact.

But it wasn’t a bad feeling.

It’s not bad to have a reliable accomplice.

* * *

The incident was roughly settled.

With over 20 celebrities and over 10 police officials being brought before the law.

In Yeouido [the financial district of Seoul, also where the National Assembly is located], they were even trying to create a new law.

[‘Kim Do-ha Law’ Legislative Notice]

Of course, as is always the case with such crimes, it would take a long time for proper results to come out.

But at least the [Kim Do-ha Scandal] from the previous life and the [Kim Do-ha Scandal] from this life would be very different.

‘I feel relieved.’

Lee Min-ki stretched out largely.

‘I didn’t say it, but I’ve been so stressed out that I thought I was going to die.’

The mental stress had been so great.

Being targeted by thugs on the street.

Being dragged to a criminal club.

Collecting evidence and reporting it.

Every day felt like walking on thin ice, so even someone with a strong heart would age overnight.

‘Seeing that I’m still alive after all this, my luck has gotten better.’

Lee Min-ki touched his neck.

In the past, I don’t know if this would have been fully attached to my upper body.

But this unusual behavior is roughly over.

Lee Min-ki decided.

‘From now on, I shouldn’t look elsewhere and focus only on acting and live safely.’

To focus only on acting.

Because there had been so much work, it felt like it had been three years since filming *Cafe del Dia*.

Now, every day will be a continuous day.

I, Lee Min-ki, will walk straight to the destination on the path of acting.

I will entrust the security of Korea entirely to the police!

As he made that decision, Lee Min-ki was about to read the script again.

“What, are you already preparing for a new project again?”

Someone next to him exclaimed as if they couldn’t believe it.

“Wow, you’re a superhuman. How does Min-ki do this? He’s not human.”

It was Kim Tak.

Lee Min-ki, who had become accustomed to this unique fuss, smiled and said.

“Why? I’ve rested enough. It’s been over a month since filming *Cafe del Dia*, so I should start preparing for a new project.”

“Is that the project?”

“Yes, I have a feeling. This will be a masterpiece.”

“No matter how good the project is, starting right after resting for only a month is ugh.”

As Lee Min-ki was about to protest, Yoo Seon-ah nodded next to him and said.

“That’s right. Even doing one project a year is considered diligent, but Min-ki is doing several times more than others?”

“Because there are many projects I want to do.”

“But you don’t film many commercials. Others film six or seven commercials for one project.”

“……Because there aren’t many projects I want to film in that area.”

Lee Min-ki cleared his throat.

‘Come to think of it, I’ve really been working hard.’

I’ve been filming without any rest.

But why?

I don’t particularly feel like resting.

Maybe I’ve been thirsty as much as I’ve rested for a long time.

“Because someone like Min-ki is working so hard, it’s becoming difficult for seedlings like us to enter. It’s already a red ocean [a hyper-competitive market].”

As Yoo Seon-ah complained and tried to slump to the floor, Trainer Kim Ah-sung, who was sitting next to her and dropping snack crumbs, chuckled.

“Oh my, how much difference is there between Seon-ah and Min-ki’s trainee life? Why are you so aggressive today? It’s not like Seon-ah.”

“What’s like me?”

“You know. Bright, refreshing, and positive. Like a protagonist in a shonen manga [a genre of Japanese comics aimed at a young male audience].”

Certainly, Yoo Seon-ah’s character was originally like that.

She seemed like she wouldn’t give in to any setbacks, shake it off with a shout, and then sprint at full speed.

But recently, it’s like she’s changed a bit.

If I had to say it, yeah.

‘She’s become more human.’

As Lee Min-ki smiled, Yoo Seon-ah continued.

“Why, aren’t you envious when there’s someone successful among your peers? If someone like Min-ki is next to you, you get nervous about where your time has gone.”

“Hey, who doesn’t know that? I know too. More than that, didn’t you originally see Min-ki as a role model?”

“No, from now on, I’ve decided to see Min-ki as a rival.”

“……Rival? Rival?”

Trainer Kim Ah-sung muttered the suddenly popped-out word.

The atmosphere fell into silence.

“…….”

In the silence, Yoo Seon-ah’s cheeks turned as red as carrots.

It’s not that she’s embarrassed to declare herself a rival, but she’s probably just burdened by the gazes around her.

At that sight, Kim Ah-sung chuckled and said.

“Min-ki, is that what she said?”

“Um, I guess so.”

What should I say?

Lee Min-ki combined the IQs of his left and right brains, racking his brain that was over 100 but not over 180, and opened his mouth.

“I’d be happy to have a rival. Whether it’s Tak or Seon-ah.”

That’s right.

Welcome.

If the number of competitors increases, I’ll work harder too.

But more than that.

“You can see a lot of interesting acting, right?”

That was in terms of the acting of new actors.

I’m tired of watching the same works over and over again.

I don’t even want a new project, I just want to see new acting.

“So, hurry up and debut and make good projects…….”

Lee Min-ki was about to say something when.

[This is breaking news.]

A very interesting comment flowed from the mouth of the announcer on the TV screen.

[The CEO of the entertainment agency 3Y, Yong Do-guk, was arrested by the police while preparing for a business trip abroad after receiving a decisive tip.]

So, as the announcer said, the CEO of 3Y, one of the main culprits of this Kim Do-ha scandal, was caught on the spot.

Here, 3Y is one of the agencies that Kim Do-ha belongs to.

“What, isn’t that where Seon-ah was preparing for an audition?”

As Kim Ah-sung said.