Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 131

Former Hero is a Million Star – Episode 131 (131/199)

From Each Planet (5)

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Late at night.

A G90 limousine entered the empty lot.

Park Geon, who had been standing next to his car, turned towards the limousine as it screeched to a halt.

Before the driver could even get out, the back door opened, and a man in a black suit stepped onto the ground.

It was Jin Gyu-il, the head of C&J Entertainment and a key figure in CVN, as well as the head of Changjin Group.

“Long time no see.”

“Indeed, it’s been since Baek Jeong-janggun [a historical figure/persona].”

They had communicated over the Hanjo Tower recruitment, but this was the first time they had met again since then.

Even though they were alumni, their relationship was more of a business partnership.

“Any reporters or paparazzi… no, there wouldn’t be any.”

Jin Gyu-il chuckled, muttering about who would dare tail him, then tilted his head.

“Anyway, what’s going on? Have I ever seen you look this tired before?”

Geon massaged the back of his neck. Muscles that never usually knotted up felt unusually fatigued.

“I might have overdone it. My own work is fine, but other people’s problems are a headache.”

“I suppose so. Even for you, it’s a difficult issue to resolve quickly.”

As expected, he seemed to know about it. Any entertainment official who maintained a close relationship with the company would have seen the articles about Jin Ji-yu.

Jin Gyu-il checked his smartwatch and said,

“There’s no time. More articles will come out in the next few days, and regardless of the actual debt or legal issues, the image will be tarnished if the response is delayed.”

“That’s why I’m coming back from meeting Hong Gwang-seok.”

“…Hong Gwang-seok? The two-term member of the Min-guk Party [a political party]?”

When Geon nodded, Jin Gyu-il’s expression changed strangely.

“Why that guy? Are you personally acquainted?”

“No, he contacted me a few times after working with my father. I thought he might be helpful now, so I made an appointment.”

Jin Gyu-il seemed to grasp the other party’s intentions after only seeing a few articles. He scrolled through his phone for a moment and then offered a scathing assessment.

“An entertainer leech.”

“Leech?”

“That documentary he did with your father, as soon as it came out, he raised the fire safety law amendment that no one cared about… now I remember. I heard a few times that he was interested in the entertainment business and was looking for a connection.”

His tone was cold, mixed with contempt.

That’s because both the business and political worlds treat entertainers with low ‘status’ as mere playthings.

Unless they are stars with global popularity. Isn’t this just a ploy to ride on the image of a good actor to gain votes?

“It could be reciprocal. Maybe it’s mutual.”

“What do you mean…”

“I asked for a couple of favors and connected the necessary people with my secretarial staff. If we’re going to do it, let’s start with what we need.”

It was a simple explanation, but the chaebol-born [born into a wealthy conglomerate family] alumnus understood immediately.

“That side is the light, and this side is the shadow. What do you need?”

Businessmen who have worked together have exceptional teamwork. Geon got to the point.

“The people who helped me when DG’s paparazzi were after me. Can I borrow them for a bit?”

As the explanation continued, the look in Jin Gyu-il’s eyes changed.

‘If we do that…’ he muttered to himself and nodded.

“The family might play the victim. If they start a public opinion war, claiming the agency is involved, we’ll lose out.”

“So we shouldn’t give them an excuse. So they don’t even dare to involve the company.”

“Don’t worry about that. From what I can see, the debt is substantial, so they’ll pay the price for flaunting their celebrity family status.”

The meeting soon ended. As the third son of Changjin Group walked towards the car, the driver opened the door.

As he was about to get into the back of the limousine, Jin Gyu-il suddenly turned to look at where Geon was standing.

“On a different note, there’s something I’m curious about.”

“Ask.”

“Do you have any particularly special colleagues?”

Special colleagues? Geon pondered for a moment.

If it hadn’t been for writer Eun Hee-wook, he wouldn’t have been able to meet with key KBC officials today.

Besides that, there was PD [Production Director] Na Jong-mo, with whom he had worked on two projects, director Kim Ryul, who had given him the clue to the Iron Kingdom, agency colleagues, Seo Hee-do, and Byun Hwi-seung…

“Not really. I’m equally close to everyone.”

The question seemed to have a different intention. Jin Gyu-il let out a deflated laugh.

“I guess it was just my concern. I don’t have to worry about any scandals among the agency members.”

“Scandals? Actors Choi Phillip and Gu Shin-seung don’t seem interested in in-house relationships.”

“…Never mind.”

*

Jin Ji-yu’s hospital room.

The private room was already filled with bouquets, fruit baskets, and all sorts of gifts.

The last visitors of the day were the ‘Four Queens’ members, who had been through thick and thin together for years.

“Unnie [term for older sister or female friend], I’ll come again tomorrow!”

“Don’t come, I’m being discharged soon, why would you come again?”

“Wow, look at this unnie not listening. If you keep doing that, we won’t go home either?”

“Min-hye, stop the youngest. Even so, don’t be a nuisance to the patient.”

Under the restraint of leader Im Ah-hee, the members got up one by one. As each one said their goodbyes, the youngest, with teary eyes, hugged her tightly.

“Unnie, call me if anything happens. I’ll cancel my schedule and take a taxi.”

“I’m fine, you idiot. Why would anything happen?”

Im Ah-hee, who was standing askew by the hospital room door with her arms crossed, chimed in.

“Yeah. I don’t know how much debt that unnie has, but I’ll break my savings to keep her from ending up on the streets. Stop worrying and come out quickly.”

Although her tone was brusque, she knew better than anyone what her younger sisters were feeling. Jin Ji-yu barely swallowed the lump rising in her throat.

“Funny, I have way more money than you guys.”

“Whatever. You always get ripped off.”

After Im Ah-hee, who pouted until the end, left, peace finally returned to the hospital room.

“……..”

The silence after all the noise made her feel strangely desolate. Jin Ji-yu stared blankly at the empty chair and turned on her smartphone.

At the top, the newly arrived messenger alarm was flashing.

[Im Ah] : Get well soon, because everyone is worried. Contact me if anything really happens.

Numerous other messages had come in.

From the fan cafe operators who had visited during the day, to the production staff she had worked with, to the cautious concerns of fellow actors who had heard the news.

“…I’m not even someone who deserves this.”

It was excessive attention and love. Especially while reading the messages sent by fans and the posts on the cafe, she even felt guilty.

‘If something happened to unnie, do you think we’d be able to live well?’

An hour ago, the hospital room had become a sea of tears because the youngest burst into tears as soon as she saw her.

They had overcome the most difficult times together and were the sisters she loved most in the world. Much more special than her family in name only.

“I have to, endure it……..”

Jin Ji-yu gripped the sheet tightly. Everyone was cheering her on, but… this solid shackle showed no signs of breaking.

At that moment, the phone rang. [Park Geon], Jin Ji-yu hesitated for a moment after seeing the familiar name and touched the call.

“……..Yes.”

-May I come in?

“Yes?”

-I’m starting to lose strength. Excuse me.

Before he could finish speaking, the hospital room window suddenly opened, startling her to the point of fainting.

As if performing some kind of acrobatics, Park Geon climbed through the window frame, closed the window again, and locked the latch.

“How, this is the 4th floor……..”

“There was an emergency ladder. I waited outside because there were many visitors.”

“…Outside the window?”

Whether she was surprised or not, Park Geon rummaged through his pocket and took out a wad of paper and handed it to her.

Jin Ji-yu’s eyes widened slightly as she received it.

“First, let’s start with the top line there.”

*

And the next morning,

The hospitalized celebrity had disappeared.

“Team Leader Jung, Ji-yu’s phone?”

“She’s not answering. It’s completely turned off.”

“Location tracking, can’t we do something like that?”

“That’s only possible for family members……..”

Roman headquarters, Director Yoo Joon-il slammed his hand on the table in the lounge.

“It’s always the family! This whole mess happened because of that damn family!”

Jin Ji-yu disappeared around 10 a.m., saying she had gone through the discharge process and disappeared without a word.

Team Leader Jung Il-joon, who received the call, went to her house, but no one was there.

“No, where did this unnie go again.”

“Could it be that her family forcibly took her away? To make her pay off their debts, and then……..”

“Took her where!”

The ‘Four Queens’ members, who had rushed over, setting aside their personal schedules, were just pacing around anxiously.

Even if she’s a grown adult, she’s still a patient. With her family and debtors lurking nearby, they couldn’t help but worry.

“How many hours has it been?”

“About… four hours? It’ll be five hours soon.”

“I’ve contacted every possible place. Judging from the quiet SNS and reporters, it doesn’t seem like anything has happened, so we might be overreacting……..”

It was when Public Relations Team Leader Gong Hyung spoke in a stiff voice. Seo Ji-hoo, the youngest of ‘Four Queens’, who had been constantly searching SNS, screamed.

“Here! It’s here!”

“Hey, what’s wrong!”

Instead of the youngest, who couldn’t speak, Im Ah-hee quickly snatched the phone, and her expression also turned strange.

Director Yoo, Team Leader Gong, and other employees who rushed over also leaned in with anxious faces.

“What’s wrong, why?”

“…Here. Ji-yu unnie is coming out?”

Inside the smartphone screen, a talk show was playing.

*

Woo Min-young’s Human Center,

Commonly known as ‘Woman Center’.

It is a program hosted by Dr. Woo Min-young, a psychiatrist and a celebrity with tremendous recognition, broadcast every Friday on KBC [Korean Broadcasting System].

“Hello, this is Woo Min-young’s Human Center. It’s really hot today, isn’t it? Our children also turn on the air conditioner every day these days, but the ideal indoor and outdoor temperature difference in summer is between 5 and 8 degrees.”

It’s even live.

The occupational groups that appear there are also diverse. Celebrities who are or were once in the spotlight are invited, as well as entertainers and politicians.

“Today, we have a special guest.”

“No, Doctor. Isn’t our introduction always the same?”

“Of course. Because everyone is special.”

Woo Min-young, wearing a white coat, joked at the panel’s comment, causing laughter.

The name value of the performers is so high that it is difficult for ordinary people to even line up for this live broadcast.

In particular, it is famous for its rule of never telling the audience, let alone the viewers, who the guest is.

“Then let’s bring them out. Our guests for today, please come out!”

Immediately following the appearance of the performers, a stir spread among the audience.

Jin Ji-yu and Noh Joong-man, followed by Baek Ha-ni, walked out.

“What is it? Is it a special on actresses today?”

“I know Jin Ji-yu and Baek Ha-ni, but… who is that gangster-looking guy?”

“That’s their agency’s CEO, Roman Noh Joong-man!”

As the buzz subsided, the talk began after a brief introduction.

If it were a normal interview, it would have just felt like promoting a new work… but this is the Human Center.

The combination of CEO Noh Joong-man and the two actresses, who had been reclusive since ‘Black Priest’ last year, is rare, and the stories that come out are also unusual.

“You’re amazing. So CEO Noh paid for the legal battle out of his own pocket, for the artists tied to unfair contracts?”

“I had no choice. At that time, the settlement amount on the contract was completely different from the actual payment. Especially when bringing Jin actress to the company……..”

The audience is instantly immersed in Noh Joong-man’s calm and weighty voice.

Two people were watching the scene from one side. The PD of ‘Woman Center’ and Park Geon, who created this project, were talking in low voices.

“Thank you. It was a sudden call.”

“You’re welcome, we’d also welcome it if this restores the relationship with the Roman family.”

After the confrontation between ‘Baek Jeong-janggun’ and ‘Hyperion’, KBC and Roman are still awkward.

It would have been one thing if they had just used an actor from a competing entertainment company, but it was awkward because they had openly set up a confrontation.

The PD, who introduced himself as Kim Nam-hyeok, glanced at the stage and whispered again.

“Um… the higher-ups still look unfavorably on CEO Noh and actor Park, but it’s definitely not me. It’s just the CPs [Chief Producers] who aren’t thinking straight. So please, the next entertainment show……..”

“Yes, we’ll consider it for KBC.”

“Oh, that would be the best! The director will be very pleased.”

Park Geon smiled back at the delighted PD and checked his smartphone.

[Team Leader 1] : We’re going in.

The Jin Ji-yu Private Rescuing Operation has just begun.

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