Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 171

171. Luck-Based Top Star

Chapter 171

Director Shim Sung-bo handed over the [New Project (Tentative Title) Storyboard Draft], and the beginning went something like this:

[A college student suddenly reveals a genius-level musical talent. A friend suggests he try internet broadcasting.]

The important thing in casting wasn’t the former. After all, the main character was Lee Min-ki; that was already decided.

But the latter, who would be the main character’s sidekick, was important. The key point was who to cast as this sidekick.

‘This project is a system where the protagonist, the protagonist’s sidekick, and the heroine run the broadcast together.’

In short, it’s a success story about internet broadcasting.

Here, the protagonist is the main talent with music itself, the heroine is another main talent with composing and arranging, and the sidekick is there to assist them both.

But being a sidekick wasn’t an easy role.

They needed to have a subtly pathetic vibe while also possessing a servile nature, like a monster born of capitalism. That way, they would have good chemistry with the protagonist, who acts recklessly as if they have no thoughts in their head.

‘It wasn’t easy to find. After all, there aren’t many actors these days who can capture that pathetic yet endearing character.’

Moreover, Lee Min-ki had a rather boyish appearance. If the character had to constantly bow down to this face, they would need to have a relatively younger look.

So, who to cast in this role had been a constant concern until now.

The answer was clearly etched in the newly released storyboard, like a target on a shooting range.

[Hyung, are you trying to bribe me with money right now?]

[Why, are you going to quit?]

[No, I actually like it.]

The lines written in the middle like examples. There was someone who could pull off that sudden outburst with flair.

Lee Min-ki had met him before.

No, he had met him together just recently, and even acted with him. Quite tastefully, too.

‘This is it.’

Finding the answer, Lee Min-ki tried to calm his excited heart and said,

“Director, I don’t think we even need to hold casting auditions.”

* * *

Just a few hours later.

A man walked into Maiar Pictures’ office, looking utterly dejected.

“Did… did you call for me?”

Cheon Geon-ju.

He was someone who couldn’t hide his nervousness from his expression.

His appearance was around his early to mid-20s. He looked just the right age to play a college student, and his youthful face was a distinctive feature.

“First of all, good to see you came.”

Director Shim Sung-bo stroked his chin, looking at Cheon Geon-ju with a somewhat distrustful expression.

‘I’d believe he was a high school student. They said he was from an idol group? That kind of delicate face is popular in that industry.’

But he still didn’t trust him. He had seen the idol group he came from, and he didn’t get the feeling that he was particularly good at acting.

First of all, his presence was too faint.

An actor’s presence is like an aura that is half-born, so it’s not easy for someone with a faint image to be distinct only in their work.

Even if they try to learn it later, simple repetitive training won’t do. Unless they awaken through a specific event, it’s practically non-existent for a lifetime.

Shim Sung-bo, if it were him, would never have picked him. He wouldn’t have even given him a glance.

The reason he bothered to call him to the office was.

[Director, he’s a junior at our company, and his acting is pretty good. No, rather than saying he’s good at acting, he’s right for the role.]

It was because of Lee Min-ki’s recommendation.

[This is a recent project he filmed. See? He’s a bit pathetic.]

[I think he’d have good chemistry with the actor, but… it’s a shame he doesn’t have a bit more of a confident feel.]

[I think your opinion will change if you meet him, um.]

[I assume you’re recommending him for casting, but it’s difficult as it is.]

[Then how about this? Let’s just have you see him in person.]

That’s how this meeting was arranged. To see the acting in person and judge.

[If you don’t think he’s right, you can cut him off coldly and mercilessly. I won’t get hurt either. I won’t cling on pathetically.]

Lee Min-ki drew a clear line on this part as well. Casting was the director’s unique authority, and he trusted Shim Sung-bo’s eyes.

At the same time, he also trusted Cheon Geon-ju’s skills, which he had witnessed firsthand.

[…If that’s what the actor says, I’ll take a look.]

It was Director Shim Sung-bo who reluctantly accepted the offer.

How could he refuse the offer of someone who even gave a congratulatory speech at his wedding?

The wedding itself owed a great deal to the success of [ManManTo], so Director Shim Sung-bo felt that he owed Lee Min-ki his marriage.

He had already decided in his heart to grant all of Lee Min-ki’s requests as much as possible in the future.

For example, guaranteeing a loan.

‘Did I do something unnecessary?’

Director Shim Sung-bo sighed inwardly.

He didn’t doubt Lee Min-ki’s judgment, but he could be unnecessarily kind at times. He needed to know how to coldly abandon people around him who were lacking, but he couldn’t and tried to drag them along.

It was an irrational 모습 [moseup – appearance or behavior].

He would probably live his life losing a lot of money. Investing in things that had no hope. If he hadn’t been lucky, he would have gone bankrupt several times.

‘I would make a stable choice.’

Just as his thoughts reached this point, Director Shim Sung-bo suddenly burst out laughing.

‘No, in a way, that’s the same for me.’

Even Maiar Pictures before [ManManTo] wasn’t much different.

He received full investment in a hopeless endeavor with just one pure act of kindness from Lee Min-ki.

In a way, he could say that he shared his luck. Purely through his insight and choice.

It was Lee Min-ki’s choice.

The suspicion that had been clouding his mind like a haze cleared slightly. When he looked ahead, there was a man standing there, still lacking energy.

“I came because the actor said he had something to show me. Where is that actor….”

“He said he’d be back from somewhere nearby for a moment.”

Lee Min-ki was away.

Now, it was just Director Shim Sung-bo and Cheon Geon-ju, alone.

The audition was to proceed like that.

Not knowing what preparations he had been told to make in advance, or what preparations he would bring, they would go with the format of suggesting a script on the spot.

He wouldn’t even tell him that it was an audition.

If he caught Director Shim Sung-bo’s eye, it was over. If he didn’t, it was over.

The opportunity was only once.

Of course, he wouldn’t tell him this either.

‘Even if he gave him a friend buff, it seems like he’s starting with a debuff instead.’

Director Shim Sung-bo smiled wryly at the ironic situation and said,

“But I’m sorry for the suddenness, but is there something I’d like to see from you, Actor Geon-ju? Would you mind showing me something?”

“So, something you want to see?”

Cheon Geon-ju’s shoulders, which had already been shrinking, trembled.

How weak was his heart?

“Yes, Min-ki praised you so much. Said you’re good at acting.”

“Sunbae-nim [senior colleague] praised me….”

This time, his face was filled with emotion.

How much were his emotions revealed on his face? Was his face a blank canvas? If you dropped a watercolor droplet, would it show up as is?

Director Shim Sung-bo felt absurdity, but he forced a smile and said in a gentle voice,

“He said you’re a junior he definitely wanted to introduce. He emphasized several times that you’d be big later. He said he wanted to introduce you to me.”

At those words, Cheon Geon-ju’s expression turned as red as a carrot.

“I’m not that good….”

Yeah, at least the range of emotions is diverse.

Did he go from tension to emotion to embarrassment in just a few words?

He must be the type who can’t hide his emotions at all.

As a person, he’s quite interesting, but what about in acting?

‘First, a deduction.’

Director Shim Sung-bo scored in his mind and placed a script on the table in front of him.

“So, I want to see your acting, how about it?”

“My acting?”

“Why, can’t you do it? Is it too sudden?”

“No, no, that’s definitely not it. I actually like it too much.”

Cheon Geon-ju replied in a flustered voice.

“I’m so honored that the director is watching my acting.”

Director Shim Sung-bo chuckled without realizing it at the innocent remark.

‘Look at this, is he trying to flatter me now?’

He soon shook his head.

When he thought about it, he was already in a position to receive such treatment from rookie actors.

“I’ll do it.”

Was his suspicion fading? Cheon Geon-ju readily accepted the director’s acting proposal, which he was seeing for the first time.

Creak.

In a few tens of seconds, one of the sofas was removed from the office, creating an impromptu audition space. Cheon Geon-ju, standing in the not-so-large space, put down the script he was holding.

Director Shim Sung-bo asked with a puzzled look at the sight.

“What is it, are you giving up?”

Was he quitting already?

He was slightly disappointed, but Cheon Geon-ju’s words were unexpected again.

“I memorized it all.”

He had memorized it all in that short time.

‘Memorized? All of it?’

Director Shim Sung-bo was slightly surprised.

‘Just now, did it take a minute? Even though the amount of script isn’t that much, I was still thinking of giving him 5 minutes to familiarize himself.’

Did Lee Min-ki tell him the contents in advance? Director Shim Sung-bo shook his head as suspicion arose.

‘No, that can’t be. I just extracted that script myself.’

Moreover, he trusted Lee Min-ki. At least, the Lee Min-ki he knew wouldn’t lie. Especially when it came to his work.

That’s why he had some expectations for his insight as well.

Shim Sung-bo, the director himself, had never doubted the possibility of success of [ManManTo], even if only by a slim chance.

“You can start right away when you’re ready.”

“Yes.”

Cheon Geon-ju took a deep breath.

And a few tens of seconds later.

“I’ll start.”

With a small sentence, he announced the start.

Cheon Geon-ju, a few seconds before starting the acting, recalled a line, no, a piece of advice in his heart.

[If you don’t think there’s a problem, there’s no problem. Just do what you want to do.]

Be confident.

If I doubt my acting, others will doubt it too.

Of course, Director Shim Sung-bo is a world-renowned director. It’s inevitable to be scared to act in front of such a person. That was a natural thing.

But apart from that, Cheon Geon-ju’s acting was solely his own.

His originality that should not be damaged by anyone.

Cheon Geon-ju, who had firmly planted Lee Min-ki’s line like a pillar in his heart, finally opened his mouth.

“Hey! I’m telling you to do a broadcast! Broadcast. Ugh, you’re so stupid. These days, if you have some talent, you can rake in money, why aren’t you doing it? Even if you kick away your own fortune, there’s a limit.”

The situation of recommending broadcasting activities to the protagonist.

For a few seconds, ordinary acting continued.

The moment Director Shim Sung-bo’s gaze was about to cool slightly, Cheon Geon-ju’s voice tone changed.

“You get 7, I get 3.”

A few seconds of silence, Cheon Geon-ju said again.

“…No, you get 8, I get 2.”

In front of the momentarily revealed patheticness, interest finally returned to Director Shim Sung-bo’s eyes.

“…Want to take 9?”