Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 193

Kang Jin-ho looked at Choi Yeon-ha, a question forming on his face at her words.

“What do you mean?”

Choi Yeon-ha met his gaze, a knowing smile playing on her lips, as if she had already anticipated his reaction.

Kang Jin-ho’s brow furrowed slightly.

He was wary of people who acted as if they understood everything about others. Those who made assumptions were bound to falter when reality didn’t align with their expectations.

“Even if you don’t want to become a celebrity yourself, you want your sister to succeed in that world, don’t you?”

Kang Jin-ho nodded silently. He wouldn’t deny the obvious just because he disliked her tone.

“I have another chance even if this drama doesn’t do well. But your sister is different. If her debut drama is considered a failure, she might not get offers for other roles.”

“And our drama is crucial at the beginning. It will definitely pick up momentum later, but unfortunately, the start is a bit weak. We tried to compensate for that with visuals, but the person who was supposed to fill that role has now disappeared.”

“You seem to have good visuals too?”

“Oh my, thank you for the compliment,” Choi Yeon-ha said, smiling and bowing her head slightly.

“But the one in charge of the drama’s visuals isn’t a woman, but a man. Especially for our drama, which targets a young audience, success hinges on how much the male actor can attract attention.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded, acknowledging her point.

“I understand what you’re saying, but I’ve never thought about it that way. It would be better to find another actor. A drama isn’t so easy that you can just use someone who has never acted before.”

“That would be true if it were a long-term role. But it’s a role that’s almost like a cameo, appearing only in the first episode.”

As Kang Jin-ho seemed to be searching for a way to refuse, Choi Yeon-ha played her final card.

“If you help us just this once, your sister can also gain momentum as an actress. We can also generate buzz from the fact that siblings appeared together, and if we package this properly, we can create some fun media play.”

Kang Jin-ho remained silent, staring at her, and Choi Yeon-ha took a step back.

“Then think about it. I won’t push you any further. But you need to decide quickly.”

Choi Yeon-ha grabbed Jang Hak-seon’s sleeve and pulled him along. Jang Hak-seon bowed his head and left the container with the assistant director.

“Will it work?” the assistant director asked.

Jang Hak-seon shrugged. “I’ve persuaded him as much as I could. It’s up to him now.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to hold auditions now? I have a few new faces with good visuals that I’ve been looking at.”

“Do you have anyone among them who looks better than that guy?”

“…Well, you can’t expect that much.”

“So, haven’t you thought about why I’m doing this?”

“But his acting skills…”

“Acting skills?” Jang Hak-seon’s face twisted in disbelief.

“Tell me, among the actors in their 20s you know, is there anyone who has been praised for their acting skills and has boosted a drama? Isn’t it that they become popular because they are handsome and cool, even if their acting is terrible?”

“That’s true.”

“The place where acting truly matters is the movie industry. Among the dramas that have been popular these days, where is there a drama where the cast’s acting has been praised? All the dramas where the male lead is handsome and cool have become popular.”

“Yes.”

“First of all, you have to watch the drama to appreciate the acting. This isn’t a movie that I’m paying to go see. People who watch movies want to get their money’s worth, but we’re talking about a drama where there are countless alternatives at the same time. Got it?”

The assistant director nodded. It was a painful truth to hear from the perspective of someone making a show, but it was the reality.

“You can’t easily find a face like that. Besides, that guy isn’t even wearing makeup right now.”

“…Huh?”

“You didn’t notice? You wouldn’t have thought of it. Even with that messy hair and wearing a tracksuit without makeup, if his face is that good, if we get a stylist and give him a little pampering, something unbelievable will come out. I guarantee it.”

“Me too,” Choi Yeon-ha agreed with Jang Hak-seon.

“I agree that you can’t easily find a face like that.”

“Right?” Jang Hak-seon grinned. “It would be great if we could work together.”

“Don’t worry. He will.”

“He doesn’t seem very interested, why are you so sure?”

Choi Yeon-ha smiled. “That guy is a siscon [a person who is obsessed with their sister].”

“Siscon?”

“It means he cares about his sister terribly. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have driven all the way from Seoul just to give his sister a single cosmetic. I gave Se-ah a hint on the way out, so she’s probably nagging him right now.”

“…Yes?” Jang Hak-seon’s eyes widened.

“Oppa-ah-ah-ah-ah!”

“I said I won’t do it!”

“Oppa-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!”

“I said I won’t do it!” Kang Eun-young began to tremble.

“Everyone else is doing everything they can to make their sister walk on a flowery path [a path of success and happiness]! But you won’t even do what you can! What’s so difficult about this that you’re being so stubborn!”

“…This?” Kang Jin-ho’s face hardened, and Kang Eun-young quickly said, ‘Oops, hot,’ and politely put her hands together.

“What kind of language is that to your brother?”

“I was out of my mind for a moment. Please punish me.”

“Tsk.” Kang Jin-ho sighed and grabbed his cigarette case, getting up from his seat. He needed to have a smoke and think about it.

“Oppa.”

“Yeah?” Kang Eun-young said in a firm voice to Kang Jin-ho’s back as he was about to leave.

“If you help me just this once, I can really do well!”

“Ugh.” Kang Jin-ho shook his head and went outside. He lit a cigarette and stared blankly at the sky.

‘Why is everything so twisted?’ Kang Jin-ho sighed deeply.

He had only come to deliver one thing, but why was the situation becoming so troublesome?

The PD who wanted to use him, who had never acted in his life, and the others who were urging him… they all seemed out of their minds.

‘What are they believing in?’

As he was smoking behind the container, he felt someone approaching him. When he turned his head, Choi Yeon-ha, who had persuaded him earlier, was smiling and looking at him.

“I hope I’m not bothering you by coming here?”

Kang Jin-ho didn’t answer. Choi Yeon-ha, sensing a subtle annoyance in his expression, was momentarily at a loss for words.

‘He’s really annoyed, this guy?’ How long had it been since she had received such treatment?

Choi Yeon-ha knew that just because she was considered pretty, as people said, she wasn’t welcomed by everyone. Rather, there were quite a few people who rejected her because they thought that people with pretty faces would never sincerely open their hearts and have a conversation with them.

However, since she had gained a certain level of recognition, there were hardly any people who treated her like this in front of her, even if they did behind her back.

Choi Yeon-ha felt a little bad, but she didn’t show it. As a natural-born actress, she was good at hiding her feelings and smiling.

“Do you know that there’s a term called ‘flash star’ in the world?”

“Flash star?”

“Yes. It’s a term for people who suddenly gain popularity out of nowhere. Usually, the world says that those people were lucky. But if you’ve been in this world for a while, your thoughts change. The reason why that person was able to become a flash star is because they had prepared that much, and also…” Choi Yeon-ha trailed off slightly and smiled.

“It’s because they seized the given opportunity to the best of their ability.”

“I’m telling you…”

“Yes, I know. You’re not interested in becoming a star. But this is also a good opportunity, isn’t it?”

“A good opportunity?” Choi Yeon-ha nodded.

“Will you ever have another chance to act in a place like this in your life?”

“I think so. I believe that those who have experienced more in life can see and enjoy more. Your name is Kang Jin-ho, right? Maybe it’s awkward and scary because it’s something you haven’t done before, but wouldn’t there be a day when you regret it someday? Thinking, ‘It was just one day, just one day… If I had acted back then, it could have been a good memory.'”

As those words ended, both of them started thinking different thoughts at the same time.

Choi Yeon-ha was thinking that she was being ridiculous even after saying those words.

‘Then he should just do it.’ There was no crazy agency that would refuse him if he wanted to act with that face. It was fortunate that Kang Jin-ho himself wasn’t very aware that he was handsome.

And Kang Jin-ho thought that Choi Yeon-ha’s words were plausible but lacked substance. If her words were true, Kang Jin-ho, who was living three people’s lives, should be enjoying life more than anyone else here.

“Besides, it also has the meaning of paving the way for your sister. If you help us once, we can make your sister’s acting career start properly.”

This was by no means an empty promise. Kang Se-ah was enough to create buzz. And her face was also very beautiful. Her height was a bit short, but it wasn’t really a flaw in a drama that mainly used close-up shots rather than full shots.

Besides, since her acting skills had already been verified in the audition, she would be on a smooth path if she could create initial buzz.

‘If she doesn’t get buried by her brother, that is.’

Kang Jin-ho stared at Choi Yeon-ha’s face for a moment and then nodded.

“Okay. I’ll do it.”

“Ah!” Choi Yeon-ha smiled.

“But…”

“…Yes?”

“Don’t regret it. I clearly warned you. Don’t say later that your schedule was messed up because of me or that we wasted time because we have to reshoot anyway.”

“That won’t happen.” Kang Jin-ho’s face slowly relaxed.

Kang Jin-ho, who had regained his composure, grinned and said, “You’re probably going to regret it?”

Choi Yeon-ha stared blankly at Kang Jin-ho’s face as he smiled, forgetting what situation she was in. As his stiff face relaxed, she felt that his beauty was coming back to life.

“Excuse me?”

“Ah!” Choi Yeon-ha was startled and shook her head.

‘This is a jackpot.’ How many actors had she seen so far? There wasn’t a single one among them who hadn’t been called a sculpted beauty or a flower boy. But she had never been captivated by a male actor’s face until now. But today, for the first time, she was captivated by a scruffy young man who wasn’t even wearing makeup.

“If you help us, the drama will be a huge hit.”

“I don’t think you understand what I’m saying…”

“Yes?”

“It will be a huge hit once it’s aired. I’ll help you, so don’t say anything else later.”

“Yes?” Choi Yeon-ha tilted her head, not knowing what was going on, and Kang Jin-ho walked towards the makeup room, leaving Choi Yeon-ha behind.

And a little later, Choi Yeon-ha clearly understood what Kang Jin-ho had meant.