Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 118

Yes.

Lee Min-ki’s fingertip pointed to the SNS screen on his phone.

The number displayed there was almost transcendental.

[3.12 million]

It could put up a good fight against the population of Busan.

And it was still increasing in real-time.

‘This is actually happening.’

Lee Min-ki himself, who had proposed the bet, pressed his temples, unable to believe the result.

Pressing the temples stimulates the tear glands, creating an effect like natural eye drops.

‘It looks the same even when I look again.’

That meant it was ineffective for someone who didn’t need eye drops.

“Heh.”

Lee Min-ki let out a small groan.

When he first made the bet with Director Seo Jeong-woo, their goal was only 1 million followers in 3 months.

The 3 million was a long shot they thought would fail, so they bet against it.

It was to stimulate luck.

But what had happened since the bet started?

Like a snowball rolling down the Himalayas, it greedily increased in size, and as if determined to swallow the world, it eventually became an avalanche and tripled that number.

‘It’s clear that luck is a big factor in betting.’

It goes this far.

Damn strong.

After confirming that the stakes increase the outcome, he even felt a slight fear of his own luck.

It made him want to keep betting.

‘Is this the gambler’s mentality?’

No.

Hold back, you inner gambler.

‘Remember your real job!’

As Lee Min-ki was fighting a fierce battle with his inner dark impulses, Director Seo Jeong-woo clapped his hands and said,

“As expected, you are amazing, Actor Lee. You are by far the most outstanding celebrity I have ever seen.”

“Hmm.”

“Acting, fashion, marketing. I am impressed. Did you know? These days, trainees all say you are their role model. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call you the constellation of rookie actors.”

Lee Min-ki regained his composure at Director Seo Jeong-woo’s exaggerated compliments.

Seeing that, Director Seo Jeong-woo smiled and continued,

“Anyway, with 3.12 million followers, you would be in the top 50 male celebrities in Korea.”

Saying it like that makes it feel a bit ambiguous whether it’s a lot or a little.

As Lee Min-ki was surprised by the number 3 million and realizing the gap between that and his objective ranking, Director Seo Jeong-woo said,

“You’re probably thinking it’s mediocre.”

He’s like a ghost.

“Well, yes, that’s right.”

As Lee Min-ki was about to nod, Director Seo Jeong-woo sat next to him and took out his phone.

“But as you can see, most of the top ranks are celebrities or so-called world stars.”

That was definitely true.

Looking at the names shining on the screen, two-thirds were idols [K-pop singers], and the rest were people who had set records overseas.

“Does that mean I’m at a disadvantage because I’m a full-time actor specializing in domestic activities?”

“That’s how it is now, but on the other hand, you could say you’re at the highest level among purely domestic rookies.”

The best.

Lee Min-ki was filled with strange emotions at the thought that he had reached a point where that word didn’t sound strange anymore.

‘Is it okay to rise this quickly?’

It felt like just yesterday that he saw Kim Ji-hwan or Kim Tae-yang not as competitors, but as the sun in the sky, but the world had changed in the blink of an eye.

He had only filmed a few works.

If [Fashion & Fashion] is released here, how far will it go?

“If you advance overseas soon… you should aim for the best among mid-career actors, not rookies. It’s a celebration for the Korean entertainment industry.”

Director Seo Jeong-woo muttered as if he was genuinely happy.

Even though he lost the bet, he didn’t seem to have any internal damage, but rather felt refreshed.

In fact, it was a natural thing.

‘It’s a shame I missed the chance to force any work on the actor, but what I gained instead is huge.’

The 3 million followers themselves.

In modern media society, an actor’s SNS [Social Networking Service] is like a huge billboard in itself.

That’s right.

It’s a billboard with a whopping 3 million viewers.

Could he not generate the revenue from one or two ordinary works with a billboard of this size?

‘Moreover, the actor performs well in fashion, so if we get a few advertisements in that area, he’ll quickly become a Korean Wave [Hallyu] star.’

Director Seo Jeong-woo smiled happily.

As if the company’s success was his own success.

In fact, that was also true.

It was an open secret, but Director Seo Jeong-woo had shares in JC Company.

CEO Gu In-mo was the largest shareholder and ran it like a private company. After that, there was an investment company.

But the next in line was Director Seo Jeong-woo.

In other words, the more JC Company thrived, the more his wealth grew.

‘The actor will be very successful in the future, so I should sell it off soon.’

It wasn’t for nothing that he had been catering to Lee Min-ki’s tastes lately.

It’s also fun to see people.

“Actor, let’s shoot a fashion advertisement soon.”

“Actually, CEO Yoo Gyu-eon asked for a collaboration, saying he’s launching the Terminus collection overseas soon.”

“Haha, Gyu-eon… I mean, CEO Yoo Gyu-eon is very lucky.”

It’s also interesting that people who are favorably involved with Lee Min-ki all seem to be successful.

As he was smiling, Lee Min-ki shrugged and opened his mouth.

“I’ve almost become CEO Yoo Gyu-eon’s exclusive model these days. Even this outfit.”

Lee Min-ki pulled on the collar of the shirt he was wearing as if adjusting his clothes.

The black letters [Terminus] written inside were clearly visible.

That’s right.

Recently, Yoo Gyu-eon had been in charge of almost all of Lee Min-ki’s outfits for external activities.

Of course, all custom-made.

“This outfit feels good.”

“Yes, because the event is also a big event. There’s also a separate photoshoot afterwards.”

“Where is Manager Park Han-mo?”

“He’s waiting downstairs.”

“Good. Go and come back.”

“Have a healthy day today.”

“Healthy… good. May you also have a long life, Actor.”

With that, Lee Min-ki shared a greeting that was both a greeting and not quite a greeting, and went down to the first floor.

Via the stairs, not the elevator.

[Member, I feel like your exercise is decreasing lately. I can’t tolerate that if you keep doing that.]

[But Director, I’ve been too busy filming.]

[So let’s at least walk. Okay?]

It was Director Kwon Jun-yong’s instruction.

If he couldn’t make time to exercise separately, he should squeeze his daily life and turn it into exercise.

He didn’t really know what it meant, but he did it because he was told to.

‘Still, it’s convenient that he comes to the company gym and gives me PT [Personal Training].’

That was also not intentional, but one of the lucky encounters he had.

Step by step.

That’s how it was when he came down to the first floor.

“Manager!”

At Lee Min-ki’s voice, Manager Park Han-mo, who was sitting on a chair waiting, got up and said,

“We’ll be late for the premiere. Let’s go quickly.”

[Fashion & Fashion] press screening.

The moment to face the results of his hard work was approaching.

“And, it would be good to straighten out the wrinkles in your pants a bit.”

“Ah, yes!”

Going up and down the stairs is good, but this is the problem.

* * *

Lotte Cinema Konkuk University.

Screen 8, which was rented to be used as the [Fashion & Fashion] press screening venue.

The atmosphere there was unlike a typical screening venue, which was cheerful as if people had come to play, but rather resembled a battlefield.

It’s hot.

The eyes are sharp.

It wouldn’t be strange if the reporters lined up like a market were to draw their swords and fight each other right away.

Why are these people, who are usually like brothers, like this?

Why aren’t they even greeting each other?

The reason for that, of course, was Lee Min-ki.

‘These days, Lee Min-ki is Tier 1 [top-ranked].’

He had consecutive hits, fashion was a hit, and SNS was a hit.

In addition, he recently showed off his friendship with a Billboard star.

Moreover, he’s even fresh.

Being fresh to the public as an actor is a huge advantage, but is there another big shot who has grown this much in such a short period of time?

Even a fool knows.

‘Lee Min-ki is the trend.’

Lee Min-ki’s current work may dominate an era in the Korean media industry.

The flaw in the jade is Hwang Eui-seong.

“Well, because it’s Hwang Eui-seong’s work, it’s inevitable.”

One reporter carefully opened his mouth.

“Yes, it’s hard to expect it to be a hit.”

“Exactly.”

“Because it’s Hwang Eui-seong. The work will be good, though.”

Yes.

It was Director Hwang Eui-seong’s chronic disease.

In terms of pure artistry, he was second to none in Korea, but in terms of box office success, his name value was disappointing.

And that was a lot.

“It seems like Lee Min-ki should go to a well-known work and sell it as a trend.”

“That’s right. He could even aim for the title of a 10 million [viewer] actor.”

Reporters who had made friends in similar film industry coverage threw a word each as if evaluating Lee Min-ki.

In fact, a 10 million actor is not something that is made by trying to make it.

First of all, the movie has to be a hit.

But on the other hand, the more popular a movie is, the more likely it is to hire good actors.

The more investment a work receives, the more it prefers luxury actors.

“Huh, why Hwang Eui-seong of all people.”

In this sense, Director Hwang Eui-seong was an obstacle to Lee Min-ki in the eyes of reporters.

They didn’t want Lee Min-ki to make art films.

They wanted him to be evaluated by the public as a commercial film and rise to stardom.

“Tsk.”

“His acting skills are good, too.”

“No, because his acting skills are good, Hwang Eui-seong snatched him up.”

“Do you know that when I tried to cover him before, he turned me away, saying he was filming?”

It also happened that Hwang Eui-seong was disliked by reporters.

Because he was uncooperative with coverage.

Of course, there is no reason to kindly welcome them if they suddenly visit without a reservation.

But that’s what they had been taking for granted under the name of reporters.

“Hwang Eui-seong is outdated now.”

“Lee Min-ki is a waste.”

“They say he’s making it with fashion material, but how can an outdated person revive trendy material like fashion?”

“If it’s the Dongdaemun market [large wholesale and retail district in Seoul] in the 1980s, I don’t know.”

“Hahaha, that was a bit funny.”

“Lee Min-ki doesn’t have a good eye for works.”

That’s how it was, in the midst of a more competitive story about the people who made the work than the work itself.

“He’s here.”

One reporter opened his mouth.

At that moment.

Everyone’s mouths stopped for a moment as if they had become pursed, and they raised their heads and looked in one direction like meerkats in the savanna.

In front of the movie theater exit and entrance.

A place where the lights are as soft as moonlight on the fog.

A man stood there wearing a beige coat with a silky texture.

‘……!’

‘There was a reason why he became a fashion model.’

It was Lee Min-ki.

He smiled softly and said.

“I’m actor Lee Min-ki. It’s been a while since I greeted you after Cafe del Dia.”

The next word.

It was a word that anyone who heard it couldn’t help but raise expectations.

“I have prepared the best movie of my career.”