Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 189

189

The Maiyar Pictures office sofa was as peaceful as ever.

‘At times like these, one’s mind tends to go blank.’

Faced with the overwhelming reality, Lee Minki stared straight ahead, his eyes wide with a slight tremble.

Someone else was trembling even more than Lee Minki.

“Director, aren’t you shaking a bit too much?”

It was none other than Director Shim Sungbo.

He muttered in a voice that quivered like an aspen leaf, unable to mask his anxiety. “Decanting.”

“Do you decant coffee these days, too?”

“It’s the latest trend in Europe.”

“…You really don’t have to say any more.”

Lee Minki sighed. “In our situation, it’s normal for even a superhero to be nervous.”

That’s right.

The situation Maiyar Pictures was facing could only be described as…

“Who would have thought we’d break 80% in pre-sales across 17 countries in the initial release?”

It was an overwhelming box office success.

How long had it been since President Trout’s SNS [social networking service] commotion, when [Turns Out He’s a Musical Genius] acquired the title of ‘The movie even the Earth’s president can’t see’?

Before it even properly premiered, let alone held a preview screening, [Turns Out He’s a Musical Genius] had caused a global sensation.

[Even if I can’t eat like the president, I can watch movies like him.]

[A work that is fair to everyone]

Added to this was Netplay’s massive marketing offensive.

It didn’t quite reach the 40-theater simultaneous release that he had confidently promised during the verbal agreement, but they still secured simultaneous screenings in a whopping 17 countries.

The result of pouring money into all those countries as if the company’s fate depended on it was this.

[Preparing for a trip to Germany just to see a movie]

[You have to enjoy culture like Trout]

It was unusual from the start.

The fact that a movie that had only released a synopsis and trailer had garnered this much attention was already like the calm before the storm.

But before the embargo was lifted after the official previews, the critics’ reviews were released.

[The chance to enjoy the hottest live performance in the world for just $20]

It was an overwhelmingly positive reception.

[Lee Minki’s acting has a sweetness to it. It’s a sweetness that breaks down language and cultural barriers.]

[The script is ordinary. But because it’s ordinary, there’s an approachable quality to it. Director Shim Sungbo has succeeded in inheriting the legacy built by his predecessors over the past 100 years.]

[William Lockhart has once again clearly proven that he is the world’s top musician… and that’s with someone else’s voice!]

[The best music movie ever made.]

[I’ll make one prediction: you’ll be shouting for an encore after the show ends.]

Pure praise.

Because of the embargo, they couldn’t say much in detail, but it was clear that they were determined to find even one more thing to praise.

[Every piece of music that appears has meaning. It’s not just music that’s nice to listen to. Each one represents the protagonist’s psychology. In that sense, this movie is also akin to a musical in its color.]

[To think that the best actor also had the qualities of the best director!]

[Like a Bourgogne [Burgundy] wine aged for decades, a Korean movie has finally created a masterpiece after a long time.]

Generous.

It was so generous that one wondered if it was okay to only give such lavish praise, and in the midst of wondering if it was real.

So much so that the only critical comment was this:

[It’s hard to focus on the music because the language is Korean. It would have been much better if it was in English, the universal language.]

Since they were nitpicking on a linguistic aspect that was unavoidable for the movie, what would be the result?

[Requesting removal from the profession.]

[A disgrace to critics.]

[Why is someone who should have died in the 19th century alive and breathing in the 21st century?]

The PC [politically correct] culture that AST had been wailing about so much this time pounced on that critic.

Anyway, the reviews were unbelievably amazing, to the point where even the pickiest critics didn’t point out any problems, to the point where it couldn’t be any better.

The pre-sales were just a ripple effect of that.

‘The reviews are so good that it’s even a little scary.’

They say there can’t be only good things in life, so what if they get hit hard?

What if there’s a backlash?

Just as Lee Minki was unconsciously about to pick up a sugar-covered cookie, unlike his usual self…

“Hoo, heehee, that’s right. You don’t need to wo-worry at all.”

Joo Hana trembled even more violently than Director Shim Sungbo as she muttered. “Mo-movies are ju-judged by the audience. Mi-Minki-ssi, you often sa-say that, don’t you?”

“Hana-ssi, you’re trembling quite a bit yourself, though.”

“It’s vib-vibration. I’ve been practicing singing so much lately that I vib-vibrate even when I talk, heehee.”

“…You’ve worked hard.”

‘This person is a lost cause.’

She’s gone a little crazy.

But there was one person who was even more serious than this, and that person wasn’t even here.

“Lee Minki-ssi, come to think of it, where did Gunju-ssi go?”

“Well, you see…”

Lee Minki scratched his cheek with a troubled look and muttered, “He said he couldn’t take it anymore, that his heart couldn’t handle it, so he’s going to Chiang Mai [city in northern Thailand] and won’t be back until the movie is released and the results are out.”

“Yes? Chiang Mai?”

“There’s a resort in Thailand. He wants to live cut off from the world for the time being.”

Chun Gunju ultimately failed to overcome his weak nature.

When Trout complained on SNS, he mentally broke down for the first time, saying that he was done for in the United States.

After that, he barely managed to hold on when the critics’ rave reviews came out, but after hearing the pre-sales figures, he left to seek enlightenment.

‘What on earth is going on in the world?’

Honestly, I’m nervous.

It’s good to be noticed, but what if I can’t meet these heightened expectations? What if there’s an uproar about it being the biggest dud ever?

Like [Dawnbreaker vs Nightmare] made by AST.

Or [Starfall: The Last Warrior] made by Rookie Film.

“Since the critics are praising it so much, I think the reaction will be even worse if it’s mediocre.”

“Director, stop with the negative thoughts.”

“…That too is fate, I suppose.”

“Uh-uh, stop with the flags [saying something that jinxes the situation]. Think of our situation as a movie. This is a 100% guaranteed blockbuster development.”

“But actor-nim, this is reality, isn’t it.”

“No, come on. Everyone says they’re the main character in their own life, right?”

Lee Minki was trying hard to comfort Director Shim Sungbo.

“Actor-nim, the things you’re saying to Sungbo right now are the things I’ve been saying for the past 10 years.”

“…”

“It’s funny to see someone else doing it? It was frustrating when I was watching from the side. Hehehe.”

Director Jin Jooyeon burst into laughter, clutching her stomach.

“I guess actor-nim will have to take care of Sungbo in the future too. You’re a match made in heaven. How about you two stick together for the next 20 years or so?”

She never misses a beat.

Director Jin Jooyeon was always sharply looking for an opportunity to make Lee Minki an exclusive actor for Maiyar Pictures.

‘I’m tired of just letting it slip.’

Suddenly, Lee Minki thought he knew why these two got married.

What would it be like if someone who is usually incredibly capable showed a vulnerable side when you’re not around? What if others don’t know the truly amazing moments of your man?

“…Jooyeon-ah, I don’t feel well, so I’m going to the bathroom for a bit.”

“Poop machine.”

“I really don’t feel well… I’m not kidding…”

“I’m not kidding either?”

Yeah, come to think of it, they just seem to be meeting because it’s fun to tease each other.

Still, they have no intention of saving face for their fellow business partner.

‘No, come to think of it, I can’t even imagine Director Jin Jooyeon cheering me on.’

In the midst of a spectacle that was hard to watch, Lee Minki felt dizzy for a moment, then said in an even clearer voice.

“Hana-ssi, now that there’s only one day left until the premiere, there’s only one thing we can do.”

“What is it?”

Lee Minki uttered a word with the utmost seriousness towards Joo Hana’s curious face.

“Earnestly wish to the universe.”

“…? The universe?”

Why the universe all of a sudden?

Is he joking?

Lee Minki nodded with a seriousness that was almost alarming towards the dumbfounded Joo Hana.

“Yes, if you wish earnestly, the cosmic power of the universe will gather and grant your wish.”

“Does that work?”

“A bestseller says it does.”

‘I’m not planning on relying on luck.’

But what if, after doing everything we can, after exhausting every means to the point where there’s really nothing more we can do?

“Let’s pray.”

Luck is a powerful friend.

Just as Lee Minki was about to earnestly ask luck for the first time in this life, adding his hands together and closing his eyes for a whole 3 seconds…

“No, that’s not it!”

Lee Minki denied himself from just 5 seconds ago and stood up from his seat.

“Wah, why are you suddenly like this?”

“Hana-ssi! This isn’t the time for us to be doing this!”

What is he saying?

He told me to pray, and suddenly, why is he acting like this?

Lee Minki said to Joo Hana, who couldn’t grasp the situation, showing the eyes that had captivated sisters and younger sisters across the country.

“What’s the point of wishing to the universe? From a cosmic perspective, humans are nothing more than a speck of dust. That’s why you can’t trust self-help books even if they’re bestsellers.”

“Yes, yes? I guess so? So we’re not wishing? Should we not wish?”

“No, it’s not that we shouldn’t wish.”

“…”

“Since long ago, they said that when you make a wish, you have to wish properly in a way that helps, right? Not just rubbing your hands together.”

Perhaps there was a change of heart. Lee Minki stretched his whole body and said, “Let’s see, in ancient times, when there was a drought, they said it was because the king was immoral, so they fasted and performed rituals all the time, right? That’s all it is. They did a show so they wouldn’t lose public sentiment if they didn’t do anything.”

“Let’s say that’s tr…ue?”

What on earth is he trying to say?

Honestly, I want to refute it, but I’m curious to see where this unfounded argument will go. Lee Minki is someone who really doesn’t say useless things.

‘Still, maybe Lee Minki actor-nim has something.’

Maybe he has a special move.

I don’t know about Lee Minki. Maybe he has a move to turn things around at the end.

Just as a faint expectation arose in Joo Hana’s eyes at Lee Minki’s confident tone, Lee Minki took out his phone and said.

“If we’re going to beg, it’s better to beg the consumers than to beg the universe.”

In that moment, his eyes were filled with spirit—no, madness.

“Let’s do it: the Indian rain dance [a ritual to summon rain].”