Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 102

Celebration (4)

* * *

“What, an apartment?”

Park Yeol-ho asked, dumbfounded, in the VIP lounge of the exhibition hall. Park Geon, seated across from him, answered for Park Seon, who had excitedly dragged their mother away to look around.

“Yes. I chose a high-rise facing south in Dongjak-gu [a district in Seoul]. Mother said she likes the Han River view. There are four elevators for residents, so it won’t be inconvenient.”

“No, no, it doesn’t matter if it’s high or low. How long has it been since you started working, and you’re already getting us an apartment…”

“The drama did well this time. I also received a lot of bonuses from that alumni friend.”

Park Yeol-ho ran a hand over his forehead, as if in disbelief.

“Even so… suddenly an apartment in the middle of Seoul, it doesn’t feel real.”

Just before, when his sons had dragged him out to change the car, he was shocked speechless.

At the dealership, they were buying four Mercedes-Benz cars at once. Han Young-joo even pulled him aside and whispered.

“Listen carefully, Fire Chief Park. I remember the model you always wanted to drive. It’s money your kids worked hard for, so don’t be too greedy, or you’ll be in trouble.”

“Oh, but what I wanted to drive and my dream car are…”

“Seriously!”

“Mom! There’s not much difference anyway; you can let Dad see it comfortably. I’ll make up for it if it’s not enough!”

Thanks to his youngest son, who saved him from a scolding, he was able to choose a car model one series higher than the one he had been eyeing.

That alone was overwhelming, but a new apartment by the Han River in the middle of Seoul? He knew his son had become very successful, but the surprise was excessively generous.

Park Yeol-ho asked in a serious tone.

“Geon-ah, are you really okay with this?”

“Yes?”

“You can cancel it since the contract isn’t signed yet. Dad doesn’t need this kind of thing. These days, I’m full just by going around and talking about you guys. The younger brother supports the older brother… the older brother takes care of the younger brother. I can’t believe how well my sons have grown up.”

“Father and Mother raised Seon and me.”

The eldest son replied with a smile, a rare sight even during interviews or in his acting roles.

“So don’t feel too burdened. This is just the beginning.”

“Still, it’s a problem because I can’t feel at ease. These guys, when did they grow up so much…”

“Honey, stop saying things you don’t mean and just enjoy it. The kids know how hard you worked to get your driver’s license again.”

Han Young-joo, who had come to his side, held Park Yeol-ho’s hand. Despite her words, the look she gave her husband was extremely affectionate.

“I’ve already bought good auxiliary devices, so just wait quietly until the car is released.”

“Oh, you did?”

“Who else would have bought them? Don’t pretend you don’t know after opening it.”

“Ahem, ahem! I was just curious because the 택배 [delivery service] boxes were piled up.”

In the past, when times were tough, Park Yeol-ho had tried to work as a chauffeur. Han Young-joo and his sons stopped him, but it seemed to have remained on his mind ever since.

Han Young-joo, who had been carefully observing her husband’s appearance, said.

“Kids, your dad keeps going somewhere these days. He even dresses up in a suit, but he doesn’t say anything, so I’m going crazy with 답답함 [frustration].”

“Hey, he’s probably preparing a surprise event for Mom. Just pretend you don’t know.”

“It’s getting to be summer soon. If you need a new suit, please tell me. I’ll go with Mother to get one made.”

The sons each added a suggestion. Park Yeol-ho hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Recently, that… the Department of Fire and Disaster Prevention at a certain university contacted me and asked me to give a lecture. I couldn’t say anything because I wanted to talk about it after it was confirmed.”

“Wow, Dad!”

Park Seon shouted. “Seon-ah, this is Mother’s workplace.” He belatedly covered his mouth at his brother’s words, but his eyes darted around, unable to hide his joy.

“Honey, is that true? You’ve never said anything like that before.”

Han Young-joo also looked surprised, as if it was the first time she had heard the news. Park Yeol-ho awkwardly rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“I couldn’t bring myself to say it because I felt sorry. I’m supposed to be the head of the household, but I’m just making your mother suffer, and now I feel a little embarrassed that I’m benefiting from my sons…”

“What are you talking about again, Dad! Do you think 형 [older brother] and I are such unfilial children?”

“…So, it’s not like I’ve suffered any hardships.”

There were often cases where retired firefighters were invited as visiting or adjunct professors, and it seemed that the offer had finally come around to him.

Park Seon hugs Han Young-joo, whose eyes have already turned red. At that moment, Park Geon solemnly declared.

“I’ve been away for too long. From now on, I will work hard to be a good son.”

“Where are you going, the military?”

“It’s just a short-term service. 형 [older brother], these days, three or four years aren’t even counted as time.”

“Still… it felt like a long time. Let’s all go out to eat something delicious on the weekend.”

“Call, the youngest will pay this time!”

Quite a bit of time passed while they were laughing and talking. Park Yeol-ho asked Park Geon, who was looking at his cell phone.

“Are you waiting for a call? You can get up first if you’re busy.”

“Ah, it’s the secretary’s office of a friend. I need to ask them what items would be good to buy.”

“Items? What are you trying to buy again?”

It felt like just yesterday that he was discharged from the military, but now his fingers typing on the keyboard couldn’t even be seen.

Park Geon, who sent a text, smiled brightly.

“Yes. I’m going to give some gifts to the people I’m grateful for.”

*

JNBC office building hallway.

Na Jong-mo PD [Production Director], carrying a tower of packages, walks precariously down the broadcasting station hallway. A fellow PD who encounters him asks, surprised by the sight.

“Na Jong-mo, what’s that?”

“Can’t you tell by looking? It’s a Two Plus 한우 [Korean beef] set.”

“I mean, who sent it, you idiot. Did you receive a bribe again?”

“Hey, don’t accuse me of 협잡질 [collusion]! It’s a gift from the great actor Park Geon, no less.”

A rookie who debuted with JNBC has now conquered the broadcasting and film industries and sent a gift.

It’s truly 금의환향(錦衣還鄕) [returning home in glory]. Instead of sending silk clothes, he sent meat wrapped in silk.

People passing by also add a word each.

“I’m so jealous.”

“The rookie I debuted drinks and calls to cause trouble… someone is sitting and gulping down 한우 [Korean beef], how can I live with this 서러움 [sorrow].”

“Exactly. He’s like a grateful magpie.”

“What magpie? Na Jong-mo looks like 흥부 [a kind and poor character in a Korean folktale], but Park Geon is a dragon. It’s an 이무기 [a mythical serpent-like creature] ascending to heaven.”

Na Jong-mo, who turned around and growled at the colleagues who were following and talking.

“You guys, get lost! I can’t give you even one piece of our 박 배우 [Actor Park]’s gift!”

“Ugh, look at that greed. I wouldn’t take it even if you gave it to me.”

“You guys should discover new talents too. Don’t you know that the director is going crazy these days trying to find the next 박건 [Park Geon]? 양반 [noblemen] who direct should always be looking for something new.”

Every word is right. It’s just that it’s annoying when it comes out of the mouth of someone capable.

Behind Na Jong-mo, who walks away triumphantly, hyenas swallow their saliva in disappointment.

[Park Geon, the Grateful… This Actor is Special]

[The Secret of ‘Rumor Crusher’ is 美談 [beautiful story] Manufacturing? Park Geon’s Invisible Acts of Kindness]

[“I Never Forget Grudges.” ‘God-Geon’ Shows the Famous Line of the Play Directly]

One week after the end of ‘백정장군’ [The Butcher General].

Park Geon’s 보은 [repayment of kindness] became a new topic.

It started with gifting expensive padded jackets and sneakers to the hundred or so staff members who were filming the play together at the time.

High-quality 한우 [Korean beef] sets were also sent to Na Jong-mo PD [Production Director] and Eun Hee-wook writer, who had employed him during ‘서울의 개’ [Dogs of Seoul], and to the production team of ‘흑의사제’ [Black Priest] and ‘회도팀’ [Sword Team].

PD Hwang Chang-jae, who was surprised to receive a surprise gift during the pre-meeting, was dumbfounded and only blinked.

“I didn’t do anything during 회도팀 [Sword Team]… should I even receive something like this?”

AD [Assistant Director] Yoo Ho-young next to him grumbled.

“Of course not, PD-nim [Director]. How much did we suffer from your ‘ 적당히 [moderately]’ disease? So just use that for the next 회식 [company dinner].”

“Sorry, Ho-young-ah. I like meat too.”

On the other hand… there were also private gifts.

During the days of fighting with DG, wine boxes worth well over a million won were delivered to colleagues who had stepped forward to help with the school violence rumors.

“Mouton Rothschild? He knows how to drink. I need to finish this all by tomorrow morning.”

“형님 [Older brother/Senior], there’s also a letter.”

Byun Hwi-seung’s expression changed strangely as he read the letter handed over by his manager.

“Excessive drinking and inappropriate leisure activities will accelerate retirement, so be careful… Hey, this isn’t a word of blessing, it’s just nagging?”

“It’s a word of blessing for 형님 [Older brother/Senior], so listen carefully. Everything written is correct.”

“…Jong-pil-ah, who are you the manager of?”

*

The ‘Park Geon Squad’ sat around in an empty conference room on the 8th floor of the Roman Entertainment building.

“Team Leader wanted an iced Americano… and 실장님 [Department Head] wanted a latte, right? Two shots and one syrup!”

“Oh, thank you.”

Quick hands pick out coffee from the tray. Director Yoo Joon-il sniffed.

“You can rest a little, but our 박 배우-nim [Actor Park] is too 부지런 [diligent]. Do you know that you’re called a 폭주기건차 [runaway Park Geon car] in the community?”

“I don’t know very well.”

“I’ll send it to you later. You have to see it with the 짤방 [meme] to really laugh.”

Team Leader Gong Gi-hyung, who was 피식대던 [snickering] next to him, asked.

“실장님 [Department Head], the PR team sent that, right?”

“Yes. I’m a community 망령 [ghost], so I don’t laugh at most 짤 [memes], but I 터졌 [burst out laughing] without resistance.”

Today is a meeting to discuss securing the next project and activities at the request of the actor.

A pile of scenarios that Director Yoo and Park Seon have sorted and brought are laid out on the conference room table.

Geon thought, drinking half of his coffee in one gulp.

‘…I still have money left over even after all this.’

He gave gifts to the old staff, actors who could be called acquaintances, and even the company employees who always work hard, but his account balance is still full.

‘백정장군’ [The Butcher General] gave him more than 100 million won per episode, and the global channel advertising fee for the Zarmani ambassador 터진 [exploded] in Paris.

His parents’ move and the new car delivery are also progressing smoothly. The only regret is that he couldn’t deliver gifts to two of the most important people.

[Park Geon] : Baek Ha-ni

[Baek Ha-ni] : ?

[Park Geon] : Is there anything you want?

[Baek Ha-ni] : nothingifiseeitillbuyit

[Park Geon] : What do you want to eat? A 배우 [actor] I know is crazy about wine.

[Baek Ha-ni] : areyoumockingme?

[Baek Ha-ni] : igotsickfromalcoholandgotsomeIVfluids

[Baek Ha-ni] : pleasechargeJinJiyouforthehospitalbill

He sent it because he was worried about the near accident, but the reaction wasn’t very good.

The same goes for the side that gave him two special appearances. Jin Ji-yu, who made a video call, replied coolly.

‘I make good money.’

‘I know. This is to thank you for helping me since 서울의 개 [Dogs of Seoul]…’

‘Seniors are supposed to buy things. Junior, invite me to a housewarming later, don’t waste the chance with weird gifts.’

‘Housewarming?’

‘Seo Hee-do told me everything. You guys had fun playing only with the guys, but you didn’t even contact me.’

One side says they don’t need it, and the other side says they’ll give it to him.

When Jin Ji-yu sent him a luxury jacket as a ‘40% breakthrough 기념 [celebration]’ gift, it was somewhat embarrassing.

‘…I didn’t even suffer, should I receive this?’

While he was 고민 [worrying], a meeting was already in full swing on the other side.

Team Leader Gong Gi-hyung tapped the table with the script he was holding.

“It doesn’t have to be a new work. The entertainment side is beyond a blue chip these days, it’s at the level of a black chip, so you can go anywhere if you just say the word.”

“The 배우돌 [actor-idol] Sports Competition is a bit hot these days.”

“Hey, it’s not the right level for 박 배우 [Actor Park] to go out. There’s no need to do entertainment that uses the body.”

“He’ll probably enjoy it, 형 [older brother] likes active things more than talk.”

Director Yoo Joon-il, making a hmm sound, waved the pile of scenarios in front of him.

“Well, we can choose entertainment slowly… the problem is the work. If Geon-ssi is going to see all of this, he’ll have to open his third eye?”

“Like 심안 [mind’s eye]?”

“That’s right, even better is 속독안 [speed reading eye].”

While the two 아저씨 [middle-aged men] were giggling, Park Seon picked out another scenario.

“형 [older brother], how about this? It’s an MBS legal drama I gave you yesterday, and they said you can come to audition anytime since the lead role is vacant.”

Was it around the time he was entering ‘회도팀’ [Sword Team]? Before filming a work, he also informed the company that he had to turn on the camera and check the so-called ‘feeling’.

After discussion, it was decided that each work would go through an unofficial audition. The reason is that it could damage the reputation of a top 배우 [actor] if he 뛰면 [ran to] the scene every time.

“I read it. The feeling is good, but.”

People’s eyes turned to him. Geon said calmly.

“배우 [Actor] Gu Shin-seung seems like he wants to do something together. He said he’d contact me, so I’m thinking of waiting.”

“Ah, no way!”

A reaction came from an unexpected person. Team Leader Gong narrowed his eyes and muttered.

“I suddenly remember. It was probably at the beginning of last month, Gu 배우 [Actor] brought me a scenario and asked me to read it.”

Director Yoo asked.

“To the PR office? Not to other directors or the head of the department?”

“Yes. It wasn’t even a scenario. He said it was some kind of web novel, and the title was 망회돌이 [Manghoedoori].”

“푸큽 [choke], what’s 망회돌이 [Manghoedoori]. Is it some kind of 돌멩이 [stone]?”

“It’s an abbreviation for 망나니 회귀자가 돌아왔다 [The Executioner Returner Has Returned], isn’t it funny? I couldn’t see it then because I was busy with work…”

The words of Team Leader Gong, who was laughing together, suddenly stopped. Director Yoo, who was holding the script, and Park Seon, who was searching for the title, were also looking at this side with puzzled expressions.

툭, 데구르르… [thud, rolling sound] Coffee was slowly flowing from the cup that fell on the floor.

Geon picked up the dropped cup and asked.

“…Did you just say 회귀 [regression]?”

* * *