Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 123

The results were in.

Just a day after the audition.

Lee Min-ki, who had received advance notice of his acceptance or rejection before the official announcement, murmured quietly.

“So, it turned out this way.”

“Yes, it did,” Director Seo Jeong-woo said.

“It seems selecting purely based on skill leads to these results.”

Three people were chosen, all familiar to Lee Min-ki.

Lee Min-ki slowly repeated their names.

“Mr. Tak, Ms. Seon-ah, and Mr. Ji-hwan.”

Indeed.

Exactly the three people he had recommended were the final successful candidates of the JC audition.

All audition applicants scouted by JC were eliminated.

In particular, Eun Gi-joo seemed to have been cut off from the start, as if he wasn’t even worth considering.

‘I like the results, but it feels like I gave them special treatment.’

What was this strange feeling?

As his mind became complicated, Director Seo Jeong-woo spoke.

“This outcome wasn’t specifically influenced by your position, Actor Lee. Our JC auditions aren’t that sloppy.”

“Oh, how does it work then?”

“That’s a secret.”

Just as he felt a bit disappointed, Director Seo Jeong-woo trailed off and added.

“However, since you’ll be with JC for the foreseeable future, Actor Lee, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to tell you.”

Lee Min-ki chuckled softly as he smiled.

‘For the foreseeable future, huh?’

Were they trying to recruit him here too?

As he noticed the subtle hints in their conversation, Director Seo Jeong-woo continued.

“There are a total of five decision-makers for auditions at JC, including CEO Gu In-mo and myself.”

“Does that include trainer Kim Ah-seong?”

“She’s an external advisor. She can offer opinions, but she’s not a member with final decision-making power.”

‘He’s subtly drawing a line.’

Director Seo Jeong-woo continued.

“This audition was the same. We considered your opinion, Actor Lee, but the final decision was made unanimously by all five of us.”

“Does it have to be unanimous to pass?”

“Yes, it was the same when we scouted you, Actor Lee. Even if the CEO approves, it’s over if even one of the other members opposes.”

‘More difficult than I thought.’

He had set up three people in the audition, but in reality, he had to get approval from an unknown number of people behind them.

‘Well, that’s probably why it’s said to be difficult to get into JC.’

“By any chance, who are the five members?”

Just as Lee Min-ki asked out of curiosity.

“That’s a secret.”

Director Seo Jeong-woo smiled slightly and replied.

“Even revealing who the decision-makers are could compromise fairness.”

“I guess so.”

‘They’re really thorough.’

They really pick people meticulously.

There’s no room for corruption to intervene.

But hearing those words made him feel relieved.

‘They really were chosen based on skill.’

It became clear that Kim Tak, Yoo Seon-ah, and Kim Ji-hwan were chosen solely on their skills, without any personal connections.

Feeling relieved, Lee Min-ki opened his mouth.

“When will the results be announced?”

“In about a week.”

“Then…”

‘Wouldn’t it be fun to announce it in an interesting way?’

* * *

[Fashion & Fashion] was officially released in theaters.

Lee Min-ki, who had risen to stardom in just three works, joined hands with Hwang Ui-seong, one of Korea’s top three directors.

Perhaps because Yoo Gyu-eon, a designer who had recently gained international attention for his fashion, was in charge of the designs.

[I’m definitely watching this]

Despite being a work that emphasized artistry to some extent, [Fashion & Fashion] had a unique fervor among fans from its opening day.

“It’s going to be really fun, right?”

“I’m not going to see it for fun.”

“Then?”

“I’m going to see Lee Min-ki’s face.”

“Well, Lee Min-ki is fun just to look at.”

Early morning on opening day.

At the early bird showing.

The movie theater seemed deserted, but tickets for [Fashion & Fashion] were already half sold out.

There was one person who was particularly displeased with this situation.

“Why does everyone keep looking for Lee Min-ki?”

It was the convenience store worker.

“Lee Min-ki, Lee Min-ki, I feel like my ears are going to wear out every time I hear his name now.”

It’s not that she dislikes Lee Min-ki.

However, this [Fashion & Fashion] event offered a Lee Min-ki poster when ordering a set menu.

She was getting sick of seeing Lee Min-ki’s pictorials on that poster.

“Why is he so popular? He’s not my type.”

And his face wasn’t her type.

Her fellow part-time worker smiled and said to her.

“Noona [term used by a younger male to address an older female], why? Lee Min-ki is handsome. And he’s a good actor.”

“It’s all ambiguous.”

The part-timer brushed off the comment.

“He’s handsome, but he’s not sculpturally handsome.”

That’s true.

Lee Min-ki’s face was eye-catching, but he wasn’t the type of sculpted beauty that took your breath away at first glance.

“I don’t know if his proportions are good enough to be a model…”

This was also true.

Lee Min-ki’s proportions were somewhat ambiguous.

He was above average, but below a professional model.

“Well, he’s a good actor, right?”

“He’s a good actor, but there are better actors if you only look at acting skills. There are plenty of older actors.”

This was a matter of taste.

But the comparison was unfair.

Most of the actors with better acting skills than Lee Min-ki were middle-aged actors in their 40s or older.

Moreover, there were very few people who had both Lee Min-ki’s level of visuals.

“Noona, you hate Lee Min-ki too much.”

“I don’t hate him. I just think he’s overrated on the internet.”

The part-timer scoffed and said.

“Even with this Fashion & Fashion, why does everyone only mention Lee Min-ki? They only take Lee Min-ki posters. There’s a more handsome actor.”

“Really? Who is it?”

“Why, this person.”

With that, the part-timer took out a poster and proudly showed it.

The face on the stiff, high-quality coated paper was.

“Kang Se-hwang?”

It was actor Kang Se-hwang.

The actor who appeared as Noh Young-hoon in [Fashion & Fashion].

Why, the old man character who lured the protagonist Lee Jong-ho into the modeling industry.

‘Kang Se-hwang here?’

The part-timer who called the other part-timer noona and followed her was dizzy.

‘Was Kang Se-hwang a handsome actor?’

No.

He was a somewhat dirty character with the stains of life on him.

His thin, indifferent face looked like he smoked well.

Was that noona’s taste?

Tastes are respected.

But no matter what, Kang Se-hwang was better than Lee Min-ki.

He would rather have Heo Su-oh, who participated as a minor role.

“…….”

“Look at Kang Se-hwang. He’s handsome, he’s a good actor, and he’s gentle. Isn’t he the best actor in Korea? I think Kang Se-hwang should have been the main character in Fashion & Fashion. He’s better than Lee Min-ki.”

That’s right.

She was a huge fan of Kang Se-hwang.

Not only Kang Se-hwang, but she also liked male characters with middle-aged charm in any work she watched.

“Noona, what about Heo Su-oh?”

“I don’t like bones.”

“He’s tall and handsome.”

“It hurts my neck.”

It’s a very consistent taste.

She fiddled with Kang Se-hwang’s poster with a pouty face and said.

“Everyone only takes Lee Min-ki. How many is this? Only our actor’s posters will be piled up.”

Ah, so that’s why she hated Lee Min-ki.

Kang Se-hwang’s posters were left over, but Lee Min-ki’s posters were selling out in the morning.

“Noona, I’ll respect you.”

“You should watch all of Kang Se-hwang’s films.”

“That’s a little…”

“Do you want to go to my house after work and binge-watch?”

She was about to say yes.

“I’m kidding. Go flip some popcorn.”

“Tsk.”

It’s a pity.

While the two were chatting, taking advantage of a brief moment of leisure.

“Hello.”

“Ah.”

A customer’s voice was heard from the counter.

The female part-timer flinched at the voice.

‘Oops, I was too distracted by the chat.’

I shouldn’t be doing this with customers waiting.

The female part-timer was about to clear her throat when the customer called out the menu.

“One fashion set, please. Oh, and make the cola a zero cola.”

Here, the fashion set refers to a special set menu sold at the theater to commemorate the release of [Fashion & Fashion].

It’s a normal popcorn and cola set, but the difference is that it comes with a special poster.

“Yes, I received an order for one fashion set.”

‘They’re going to take the Lee Min-ki poster again.’

The part-timer grumbled inwardly, but at the moment she scanned the order on the POS machine.

‘Huh?’

The customer’s demeanor was strange.

He wore a hat on his head and a mask on his face.

He was wearing a loose black hoodie.

Pants were jeans.

There was nothing to judge his appearance in particular. Rather, he looked like someone who lacked confidence or a thief.

But why?

‘Why is he so cool?’

The customer’s visuals were unusual.

His head was just the right size, his eyes showed a gentle aura, and his shoulders were broad.

His upper body was triangular enough to be felt even in a loose hoodie.

His long, straight legs seemed thin at first glance, but they had firm muscle lines.

And his voice.

‘It’s so clear.’

His pronunciation and tone were incredibly clear.

Just taking one order made her thirsty in her head.

She wanted to take off that face mask.

He must be handsome.

He’s handsome, has good proportions, and even has a good voice, so he must be very popular outside.

That’s when she realized.

“Excuse me.”

The employee who had been joking with her a little while ago hesitated and asked, looking at the customer’s face.

“I’m sorry, but are you by any chance actor Lee Min-ki?”

“Ah.”

That was the moment.

The customer smiled slightly and raised his finger slightly over the mask.

“I often hear that I look like him.”

“……!”

At that moment, the female employee felt her heart drop.

‘This person is definitely Lee Min-ki.’

Absolute certainty captivated her five senses beyond her eyes and ears.

Only his eyes and body were visible.

However, an overwhelming aura flowed from Lee Min-ki’s whole body that he couldn’t hide.

‘Did he come to see a movie alone quietly?’

That must be it.

If he came alone during the early morning hours, that’s probably the case.

‘Jackpot.’

She had seen many actors, but rarely had she seen someone so handsome in person.

“Are you okay?”

“Ah, ah, I’m sorry. Yes, um, that.”

Even her voice was like an actress.

She, who had been overwhelmed by the momentum in just a few words, said in a trembling voice.

“The cola and popcorn you ordered… which poster would you like?”

“Please give me actor Kang Se-hwang.”

“……! Yes, here it is!”

“Thank you. Have a nice day.”

After Lee Min-ki left with a soft greeting.

The part-timer next to her muttered in surprise.

“Wow, he’s handsome.”

The female part-timer who heard the words also said.

“I know…….”

* * *

Lee Min-ki, who came out of the store, looked at the popcorn with a delighted expression and smiled.

‘It’s been a while.’

This popcorn is not just popcorn.

It’s unhealthy movie theater popcorn.

Popcorn with plenty of seasoning, which will definitely make you gain weight if you put it in your body.

How much humiliation had he endured to eat this one?

[Do you want to eat popcorn? You can eat it.]

It refers to the humiliation that Director Kwon Jun-yong personally prepared.

[Instead, 2 more sets.]

[Yes?]

[3 more sets.]

[Yes?]

[4 more sets.]

[Ah.]

Just thinking about that sacrifice makes my legs tremble already.

But he endured it.

Lee Min-ki was excited from early in the morning, as if a farmer who had harvested the harvest was looking at a wheat field that had turned golden.

‘Ah, I’ve been waiting for a long time.’

The special poster is also so good.

I got the Kang Se-hwang poster, so next time I have to get the Heo Su-oh poster too.

In fact, popcorn is popcorn, but there was an even bigger reason why today was exciting.

The reason is.

‘I’ve been waiting for this day.’

Because it’s an opportunity to watch Fashion & Fashion in theaters.

Lee Min-ki’s heart was excitedly burning.

He had received and watched the completed version in advance, but watching it in a theater on opening day with general audiences was a completely different feeling.

In particular, you have to watch it early in the morning to get the feeling.

Originally, he came to see it with his acquaintances, but this time he visited alone.

Why?

Because if everyone comes together, too much attention will be focused on the movie, making it difficult to concentrate.

Because watching it with others can be done separately once or twice more.

‘Originally, well-made movies should be watched five times to get the taste.’

Lee Min-ki was living without being able to suppress even 1 degree of his innate cinephile temperament.

‘About 3 minutes left.’

That’s when he entered the movie theater and was waiting for the screening.

“Hey, about this movie.”

A voice was heard from the back seat.

“How many people do you think will watch it?”