Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 230

Choi Yeon-ha was a little dazed.

The answer was expected. Anyone in Kang Jin-ho’s situation would refuse such an offer at first. So, the rejection was naturally anticipated.

But what flustered Choi Yeon-ha was the resolute tone in Kang Jin-ho’s voice.

– Could I even do it? I can’t do things like that. Honestly, I’m not confident. And is there really a possibility?

Usually, even when refusing, such a tone should be felt in the way they speak. But what could be felt in Kang Jin-ho’s tone was an ironclad firmness.

‘Why?’

If someone else said this, it could be understandable. But who is she?

It’s Choi Yeon-ha.

Right now, if she ran out into the street and grabbed anyone, saying, ‘Do you want to try acting?’ anyone who knew her would immediately think of her as a rising star in the acting world, yet to be revealed.

Choi Yeon-ha was a person with that kind of influence.

For such a Choi Yeon-ha to make an offer and receive a rejection without a moment’s hesitation.

“Which part don’t you like?”

Her heart was pounding, and a sense of frustration washed over her, but she was a natural actress. It was not difficult for her to put on a calm facade and smile.

“It’s not that I don’t like it, but…”

As Kang Jin-ho hesitated to answer, Choi Yeon-ha spoke first.

“You said you don’t know me well, Mr. Kang Jin-ho?”

“Yes.”

“Then you need to know first. Who I am, and what it means for me to make this offer.”

Kang Jin-ho quietly looked at Choi Yeon-ha.

“It’s not that I want to show off. It’s not like, ‘How dare you refuse when I’ve extended my hand?’ I just want you to know that the opportunity I’m giving you is too big to just brush off so casually.”

Kang Jin-ho slowly nodded.

But he still didn’t seem to understand. Choi Yeon-ha’s mask began to crack a little. Her voice grew louder with a surge of emotion.

“Do you understand what I’m saying? I even blocked the male actor casting for you, Mr. Kang Jin-ho. It’s a huge burden for me to pull such a stunt in a movie, let alone a drama.”

“Is there really a need for you to do that?”

“Because I thought you were the most suitable!”

Choi Yeon-ha, who had jumped up from her seat and shouted, momentarily realized her mistake, glanced around, and then quietly sat back down.

“…Anyway, that’s how it is.”

Kang Jin-ho calmly reached out and brought the coffee to his lips. After taking a sip, he placed the cup on the table and opened his mouth.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Choi Yeon-ha’s face contorted.

The words that would follow were obvious.

“But I don’t think it’s something I should do. Then.”

As Kang Jin-ho got up from his seat, Choi Yeon-ha jumped up and grabbed his arm.

“W-wait a minute.”

“Yes?”

As Kang Jin-ho stared at her, Choi Yeon-ha’s face flushed slightly.

It felt strange to be in a position where she was pleading. She had never shown such a submissive attitude to a man in her life.

“At least tell me the reason.”

“So that I won’t have any regrets even if I’m rejected… Tell me clearly. That way, I think I can give up cleanly. Otherwise, I might bother you several times in the future. That wouldn’t be good for either of us.”

“Hmm…”

Kang Jin-ho nodded as if he understood, then sat back down.

Then, with a troubled look, he rubbed his mouth.

“I don’t know how to explain the reason.”

“Then I’ll ask. Is acting burdensome for you?”

“No.”

“…I thought so.”

Considering what she had seen before, Kang Jin-ho’s personality itself was easygoing. Even if he were a skilled actor, not just an ordinary person, he would have been completely fed up and exhausted after so many NGs [NG stands for ‘No Good’, referring to a take that needs to be redone], but Kang Jin-ho maintained his composure from beginning to end, even while listening to the sighs of many people.

‘It’s not easy to be that brazen.’ It might be different in society, but for an actor, that’s also a strength. He can perform the acting he has in mind without being shaken.

“Then, is it burdensome to receive attention?”

Kang Jin-ho’s brow furrowed.

‘He’s thinking?’

It seemed like he had some of that. Even to her, Kang Jin-ho didn’t seem to have the disposition to enjoy people’s attention.

But unlike theater actors or singers who have to stand directly on stage and receive people’s attention, movies and dramas don’t necessarily require exposure to the eyes of many people.

“I don’t think that’s it either.”

Choi Yeon-ha, thinking that this wouldn’t end like this, decided to be a little more blatant.

“Mr. Kang Jin-ho, I didn’t want to say this…”

“Yes?”

“Becoming a star is really amazing.”

“Hahaha!”

Kang Jin-ho burst out laughing at Choi Yeon-ha’s direct hit.

“It’s not something to laugh about. Why do you think so many people in the entertainment industry fall apart? It’s because there’s no way to find that thrill of being at the top again.”

“Is that so?”

Choi Yeon-ha took a deep breath and continued. It seemed like this person had no idea at all.

“You can’t even imagine how fulfilling it is to be admired by so many people, to have people look at you with envy wherever you go. Moreover, in our country, just because you’re a successful celebrity, they apply different standards than to ordinary people. They don’t even get arrested for smoking marijuana, you know.”

“Hmm…”

“It’s embarrassing to say this, but once Mr. Kang Jin-ho has filmed a couple of movies, even most actors and models would be dying to hold your hand.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled lightly.

“That’s quite something.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Hearing that, I understand.”

“Yes?”

“Why I’m not interested in that kind of thing.”

Choi Yeon-ha looked at Kang Jin-ho with a bewildered expression.

‘What kind of person is this guy, really?’ Was he saying that he had just been tuning out everything she said?

Kang Jin-ho, as if understanding Choi Yeon-ha’s gaze, slowly opened his mouth.

“It’s not that I’m disparaging acting, but…”

Kang Jin-ho scratched his nose awkwardly.

“I’m tired of acting out other people’s lives.”

“…What?”

Choi Yeon-ha couldn’t understand Kang Jin-ho’s words. Kang Jin-ho also thought it would be difficult to make her understand, so he changed the subject.

“What’s left after filming a movie, other than a good movie and wealth?”

“It also fulfills your sense of achievement and desire for fame.”

“But I don’t watch movies very often, and I don’t really like them, so I don’t think I’d feel any particular meaning in having made a good movie.”

“And wealth… well…”

As Kang Jin-ho was wondering how to explain this, Choi Yeon-ha spoke for him.

“Se-ah said that Mr. Kang Jin-ho has a lot of wealth.”

“It’s not really my money, but…” It was an affirmation.

‘Do you even know how much a top actor earns?’ Choi Yeon-ha was about to shout, but she desperately suppressed herself.

Kang Jin-ho might not know, but Kang Eun-young couldn’t not know. Considering that someone who knew all that said that that amount of money wouldn’t even fill one of her brother’s bank accounts, it had to be seen as a hopeless situation in terms of financial power.

“No, Mr. Kang Jin-ho. So…” Kang Jin-ho cut her off and interjected.

“Time is limited.”

“Being an actor is a good job. Every job in the world has its own value. But the jobs that people find valuable are different. It’s not something I should say to an actress, but I think I can do something more valuable in that time than being an actor.”

Choi Yeon-ha bit her lip slightly.

Depending on how you heard it, it could be a very insulting remark.

“So, what are you going to do?”

“Take care of kids.”

“…What?”

Kang Jin-ho replied calmly.

“Help them with their homework, teach them sports, wipe their noses?”

“Are you making fun of me right now?”

Choi Yeon-ha’s face turned as cold as if it were covered in ice.

But Kang Jin-ho replied with a calm face.

“The value that people place on any given thing is different. It might sound ridiculous, but I feel that doing those things is more valuable than filming a movie.”

Choi Yeon-ha stared at Kang Jin-ho with a blank face.

“What value is there in those things?”

“Well…”

Kang Jin-ho pondered seriously.

“Hmm, it’s hard to answer when you ask it like that.”

“Hey, Mr. Kang Jin-ho!”

“At least…”

Kang Jin-ho’s voice became a little more serious.

“Isn’t it possible that the hand I extend now could change the life of a child?”

“It’s something that could change a life that wouldn’t have changed if I hadn’t done it. So, I think that in itself has value.”

Choi Yeon-ha couldn’t understand what Kang Jin-ho was talking about at all. What she realized was that nothing she said to Kang Jin-ho would work right now.

“So, in the end, you’re saying you won’t do it?”

“Yes.”

“But I didn’t understand what you were saying either. So, don’t think that I’ll just accept this and back down so easily.”

“Nothing will change.”

“Yes, I know. If you were the kind of guy who would change his mind and come over just because I sweet-talked you, I wouldn’t be doing this. So! You better be prepared. You’ll find out how tenacious and persistent I am.”

Kang Jin-ho sighed with a troubled look. He had a strong feeling that he was going to be bothered.

Choi Yeon-ha jumped up from her seat, turned around, and headed to the counter. After paying, she approached Kang Jin-ho again and bowed deeply.

“I look forward to working with you in the future.”

“Ha…”

“Then.”

As Choi Yeon-ha stormed out, Kang Jin-ho raised both hands and rubbed his face.

‘I shouldn’t have come out.’

He had a strong feeling that he had gained a burden instead of getting rid of one.

“Did you come?”

“What kind of nonsense are you spouting!”

“Yes?”

The manager, who had been waiting for her in the driver’s seat, was terrified and cowered as soon as Choi Yeon-ha opened the van and started yelling.

“You need to say something I can understand!”

Choi Yeon-ha, unable to contain her anger, threw her bag onto the seat and stomped on the floor.

“It seems like you thought I would give up and back down if you just made up some excuses, but what I’ve learned in this industry is that a tenacious bitch and a crazy bitch win. I’m going to show you what a tenacious crazy bitch is! Let’s see if you win or I win!”

Looking at Choi Yeon-ha, who was yelling in anger, the manager quietly looked out the window.

‘I should quit.’

This hellish, extreme job.

Jo Gyu-min wasn’t the only office worker suffering in the world.

And so, Kang Jin-ho unknowingly added another victim.