Descent Of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1036

Receiving Training (4)

Park Yu-min was frozen stiff.

‘How did I even film this before?’ The moment he saw the set, his legs trembled and his heart pounded. He had definitely experienced this before, but he just couldn’t get used to this atmosphere.

While others might relax with experience, that didn’t seem to be the case for Park Yu-min.

No, his tension actually increased. Perhaps it was because he had already created a dark history once, but he felt like he was suffocating.

‘Let’s calm down.’

The team went wild when they found out he was filming a commercial. Even though they were people who often appeared on TV, commercials were not something they were usually involved in.

Just appearing on public broadcast once would cause a huge reaction, but a commercial for public broadcast was on a different level.

The team members shouting, ‘As expected of Yu-min Hyung!’ made Park Yu-min even more nervous.

‘I really have to make sure it doesn’t look awkward this time.’

Park Yu-min clenched his fist.

This wasn’t just his problem. If Park Yu-min froze up again this time, the people involved would hesitate to cast pro gamers in commercials next time.

He had to clear his dark history and pave the way for his juniors. Wasn’t that the role of a senior?

“Hoo.”

Park Yu-min took a deep breath and focused his eyes. At that moment, Oh Jin-hyung, his manager and escort, whispered urgently.

“The director is coming.”

“Yes!”

A man approached him from the front and extended his hand.

“Park Yu-min?”

“Yes? Ah, yes! I’m Park Yu-min!”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Choi Jong-cheol, the director of this commercial.”

“Yes! Director, please take good care of me!”

Park Yu-min bowed deeply. But when he raised his head again, he couldn’t help but feel a little puzzled. Choi Jong-cheol’s gaze was not very pleasant.

“So, you play games?”

“Yes. I’m a pro gamer.”

“The world has really changed. They’re making a commercial with a computer game addict. Seriously, it’s like they’re joking.”

While Park Yu-min was momentarily speechless, Oh Jin-hyung laughed awkwardly and took the director’s words instead.

“Haha, isn’t it because we believe in your abilities, Director?”

“Manager?”

“I’m the team’s coach.”

Choi Jong-cheol glanced at Oh Jin-hyung with a subtle look. It seemed like he had something to say, but he couldn’t directly speak to the director.

After all, you couldn’t treat a young pro gamer and a pro team coach the same way.

“Have you done any acting before?”

“I’ve done it once… I’ve filmed a commercial before.”

“So you’re a newbie.”

“Yes, I am.”

If the director said he was a newbie, then he was a newbie. Park Yu-min thought so and answered politely.

“I’m already worried because the person I’m filming with today isn’t easy to deal with, so don’t cause any unnecessary trouble and just do what you’re told. Got it?”

“Yes, Director.”

“Tsk, let’s do well.”

“Yes. Please take good care of me.”

The director, having received their greetings, turned around with a crooked gait.

As Choi Jong-cheol walked away, Oh Jin-hyung grabbed Park Yu-min’s shoulder tightly.

“That jerk. Yu-min, don’t worry about it.”

“It’s okay.”

“There are still those old-fashioned guys around. Do they think they’re so great?”

“It’s really okay, Coach.”

“No. I’m getting angry, you know?”

Park Yu-min laughed awkwardly.

He knew that Oh Jin-hyung was getting angry on purpose to cheer him up.

“It’s really okay. It might sound weird to say this, but I’m used to being ignored.”

“…That’s not a good thing, you know.”

“I know. But I still am.”

He scratched his head involuntarily.

It wasn’t just a casual remark; he was genuinely used to being ignored. Park Yu-min had become the envy of others as a pro gamer, but even now, he was more accustomed to looks of disdain than admiration. The years he had lived under the scrutiny of others were far longer than the years he had lived receiving applause.

“Even if I were the director, I wouldn’t want to cast me as an actor. It’s only natural.”

“…It’s a good thing that you’re so self-aware, but still.”

Oh Jin-hyung looked at Park Yu-min with a slightly pitiful expression. It was fortunate that there was a good-natured person like Park Yu-min in the pro gamer industry, which was full of stubbornness and pride, but it was also unfortunate for Park Yu-min personally.

“But what do you mean by ‘the person I’m filming with isn’t easy to deal with’?”

“You saw the storyboard, right?”

“Yes. I did.”

“It seems like the other actor is a huge star. I haven’t heard the exact details either.”

“…You haven’t heard?” Oh Jin-hyung pouted.

‘Even if we’re not in the major leagues yet, they should at least give us some information.’

What were they supposed to do if they called them to the set without telling them who the other actor was?

Of course, even if the other actor was an alien, they wouldn’t be in a position to refuse, but there was a big difference between knowing and not knowing.

“Anyway, let’s do our best.”

“Yes, Coach.”

Just as Park Yu-min nodded, the front started to stir.

“They’re coming! Get ready!”

“Chairs! Get the chairs first!”

The set suddenly became chaotic.

‘Is there a war going on?’

It felt like everyone was in a panic. Judging by the director’s image from a little while ago, he seemed like he would hate this kind of atmosphere, but instead of scolding them, he was panicking along with them.

Oh Jin-hyung and Park Yu-min stared blankly at the scene.

“It seems like someone’s coming?”

“I guess so.”

As they stood there like a couple of dummies, watching the situation, they saw someone opening the door and entering.

“Wow!”

“Whoa!”

They couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

Even from a distance, her aura was extraordinary. She was tall, and her small head gave her an unusual feeling.

“Whoa. Isn’t that, isn’t that Choi Yeon-ha?”

“Choi Yeon-ha?”

“Yeah, Choi Yeon-ha.”

“Huh?”

Park Yu-min tilted his head.

“Oh? It is her?”

Park Yu-min stared blankly at Choi Yeon-ha.

‘Wow, professionals are definitely different.’

This wasn’t the first time he had seen Choi Yeon-ha. He had met her a few times at the pizza place in the past. But back then, she was wearing casual clothes, so he didn’t feel the same way as he did now.

It was clear that professionals had a different aura when they were working.

“…Ah, so the person I’m filming with today is Choi Yeon-ha.”

“This is a disaster. What should we do?”

“Why?”

“It’s well-known that Choi Yeon-ha has a bad personality. She’s nice to her fans, but she’s a mess to the people in the industry.”

“Come on.”

“No, no. You shouldn’t think it’s just a rumor. Even the staff are completely intimidated right now.”

“No, she might be a bit prickly, but she doesn’t seem that bad.”

“How do you know that?”

“Uh…”

How should he explain it?

Park Yu-min laughed awkwardly. There was too much to say if he tried to explain.

“Oh my, Choi Yeon-ha! Welcome!”

Choi Yeon-ha slightly frowned as she saw the director approaching her with a bright face.

‘What is this, this toad-like thing?’

His slimy impression was off-putting from the start.

Choi Yeon-ha, feeling her mood sour, slightly lowered her chin to acknowledge the director’s greeting.

“It was hard to get you here. Your stock is rising so fast these days.”

“That’s right.”

“…Ah, yes. That’s right.”

Director Choi Jong-cheol sighed inwardly.

‘I’m going to die.’

It was well-known that she had a terrible personality, but it felt like it had gotten worse lately. After filming a drama in Korea for the last time, her activities had been a bit slow, so he thought she might be going down now…

‘Why is she so popular in China?!’

If a washed-up celebrity in Korea gains popularity in the Chinese-speaking world, it usually doesn’t have much impact on their popularity in Korea, but it’s different for a celebrity at the top.

‘She wasn’t that great here, but she’s popular in China’ turns into ‘She was amazing in Korea, and now she’s conquering China too.’

Thanks to that, Choi Yeon-ha’s stock was soaring right now.

She had over ten commercials in the works. If it was a mediocre advertisement, they wouldn’t be able to cast her even if they had the money. Fortunately, this commercial was for a telecommunications company that celebrities preferred, so they were able to complete the casting as a top priority.

But Choi Jong-cheol’s heart was not at ease.

‘I’m going to die, really.’

Usually, in the case of telecommunications commercials, the director or the advertiser would be the one in charge, but in the case of a star with that level of popularity, the power dynamic was reversed.

Frankly, someone like Choi Yeon-ha could just turn around and say she wouldn’t film if she didn’t like it. Other telecommunications companies or Chinese companies would be rushing to get her.

She was already a hopeless case in terms of personality and position, and now that she had gained even more momentum, there was no solution. The only thing he could do was to try his best to keep her in a good mood.

“First of all, I have to apologize for something.”

“Yes?”

Choi Yeon-ha’s face was already slightly contorted.

‘You haven’t even said anything yet, you bitch.’

Choi Jong-cheol cursed inwardly and continued.

“The storyboard has been slightly changed. Originally, we wanted to cast a top actor as the co-star, but this storyboard had too much input from the advertiser, so a newbie was cast.”

“A newbie?”

“Yes. I’m really sorry about this. I’ll do my best to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible during filming. I’m also very worried. Even though commercials are supposed to cater to the needs of consumers, they brought in a nobody who doesn’t even have the visuals.”

Choi Jong-cheol said as if he was grinding his teeth.

“He also seems to have a limp, and I don’t know what to do with this. If you’re not happy with it, I’ll talk to the advertiser again and try to change it to a solo shoot for you.”

“…He has a limp?”

“Yes. He’s disabled.”

Choi Yeon-ha’s face became even more contorted.

Choi Yeon-ha was angry because of the director’s wording, but Choi Jong-cheol, thinking that she was angry because she didn’t like her co-star, continued to egg her on.

“We have to film while moving, but they cast someone who can’t even walk properly. If you just say the word, I’ll talk to the advertiser and change it to a second storyboard where you’re the only one filming…”

“Who is it?”

“Ah, you don’t have to worry about it… It’s that person over there. I think they said he’s a pro gamer…”

Choi Yeon-ha’s head turned.

Choi Yeon-ha, who spotted a man in a uniform in the distance, contorted her face.

Seeing that reaction, Choi Jong-cheol rejoiced.

“Should I call them?”

“You, shut your mouth for now.”

“Yes?”

“I said shut your trap.”

Choi Jong-cheol, stunned by the sudden barrage of curses, stared blankly at Choi Yeon-ha before closing his mouth.

Choi Yeon-ha walked towards the pro gamer in the distance with steps that sounded like she was slamming the floor.

Thud! Thud!