Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 160

The Memories of a Former Hero (4)

* * *

A live music show stage.

Performers gather, and the male and female MCs, who are also idols, take out their cue cards with serious expressions.

The tally results are broadcast on the screen in front for everyone to see, but the thrill of announcing the rankings is something you can’t leave out.

“Live Music House, the winner of this week is… Puffing Dolls! Congratulations!”

As fireworks explode and confetti falls, the two teams that were nominated for first place this week congratulate each other.

Roman’s ‘Puffing Dolls’ vs. PML’s ‘Four Queens’.

Until now, Four Queens had a slight advantage, but Puffing Dolls stepped up their game on Music House today, balancing the scales.

“Congratulations! You guys are so pretty!”

“No, thank you!”

It should be a moment of mixed joy and sorrow, but the loser and winner hug each other and offer sincere congratulations.

The reason, of course, is Jin Jiyu’s presence. One team is the team Jin Jiyu used to lead, and the other team has received help from Jin Jiyu since their debut days, so they get along better than idols from the same company.

Soon, the microphone returns, and Puffing Dolls’ leader, Shin Chaeyi, sniffles and gives her acceptance speech.

“…I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has brought us to this place.”

“Yes, then we will conclude this week’s Music House with Puffing Dolls’ encore performance….”

“Ah, wait a minute!”

Shin Chaeyi, who was about to turn around, hurriedly cut off the MC’s words.

“And Roman’s executives and artists, including senior Park Geon, wish you a speedy recovery.”

Soon, the remaining groups went down, and the encore stage began.

Music House, episode 87. This rather strange first-place speech from an idol leader surprisingly didn’t become a big topic.

Because it was a name that many people had already mentioned.

*

Who are Park Geon’s people?

If you ask a broadcasting station official, they will probably tilt their head and reply.

“Actor Park Geon? It wouldn’t be just one or two people. There’s ‘The Dog of Seoul’ and ‘The Black Priest’ and… what did he do after that? Ah, the ‘Gray City’ team! The team leader of ‘Gray City’ may have had less impact compared to other works, but it certainly wasn’t a flop. And then….”

He is truly a diligent actor. He has only filmed works that were at least moderate successes, so it would take several minutes just to list his filmography.

If you ask if there aren’t many actors who have done more work than that, the interviewee might get angry.

“Are ordinary actors the same as actor Park Geon? All the staff who have worked with him know. He’s not an entertainer who puts on airs and pretends to be nice only when the camera is on; he’s just the embodiment of setting an example. He arrives 30 minutes before filming to carry equipment, he films all the tough scenes himself, and what actor gives gifts to the staff, not just the writers and directors, at the end of the show?”

What’s amazing is that such excessive talk comes from anyone who knows Park Geon.

A dedicated performance as the ‘problem solver’ on set.

Overwhelming acting skills and stage presence that make it difficult to see even one NG [no-good takes] throughout filming.

Courteous manners and conduct that don’t distinguish between the lighting team’s youngest member and extra actors.

In addition, he spends his own money on every project to provide food trucks, coffee trucks, and even supplies like padded jackets to the production team, so who wouldn’t like him?

That’s why when people heard that Park Geon was sick, their reactions were intense.

“Huh? Geon-hyung [term for older brother/male friend] is sick? No way, someone must have poisoned him! He’s the kind of person who wouldn’t catch a cold even if you threw him in Antarctica…!”

Seo Heedo, who was about to report it to the police immediately, was suppressed by the people around him,

“Where is it? DG or Joinus? What tricks did those bastards use this time?”

Byun Hwisueng, the former troublemaker, glared fiercely and urged his manager,

“Don’t lie, manager. Did you start this because the company doesn’t have any content to upload to YouTube these days? Even a fool like Baek Hani wouldn’t fall for this.”

“I admit it, hyung [term for older brother/male friend].”

“Stop calling me hyung [term for older brother/male friend] so creepily! …Wait a minute, is Park Geon really sick? Is there a camera hidden here somewhere?”

Goo Shinseung and Choi Phillip, who played the main characters in a school violence drama, doubted Manager Yoo Joonil’s words.

But, surprisingly, it was true.

After the premiere… after the scheduled fan meeting and simple platform live broadcasts, Park Geon stopped all activities and went into seclusion.

[Park Geon, sudden halt to activities… presumed due to deteriorating health]

[Roman’s side says ‘the artist’s decision’, burnout for the actor who topped the US box office?]

[Official from the industry, the actor is very tired due to continuous projects and overseas filming… will recover soon]

That’s how actors’ schedules are.

When a movie is released, they diligently appear on broadcasts before filming, after filming ends, right before the release, and until it’s in theaters.

The higher the actor’s level and the more successful the movie is, the more places call them.

But what if it explodes globally like now? At this point, no matter how much they charge, the broadcasting stations are eager to invite them.

He turned down all of those and holed himself up, so the fans fell into a deep pit of worry.

-Haa… is our actor okay…

-In the meantime, he did the fan meeting and W Live… is he crazy for taking care of his fans ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-Professionalism… no… our hero is just naturally kind…

-Is there anything we can do? Shouldn’t the manager or assistant manager take the lead and buy him medicine?

-His acquaintances are taking care of him ㅠ Our actor has a lot of luck with people anyway

While the comments on the fan cafe were piling up as much as the box office audience numbers, celebrity vans began to gather at a studio in Cheongdam.

.

.

.

“I’m a little late. Am I the last one?”

The studio staff’s eyes widened.

They recognized the woman who opened the door last, the woman wearing dragonfly glasses and large logo earrings.

Yoonbal25, who was sipping coffee, greeted writer Yeo Jinju.

“You should come a little earlier; everyone has been gathered since earlier. The departure time is… oh, it’s in 30 minutes….”

“Then that’s fine. I was bringing some luggage.”

Behind Yeo Jinju, who spoke coldly, attendants who appeared to be personal secretaries unloaded large boxes.

Even at a glance, you could see that they were special gift sets filled with expensive health foods like ginseng and red ginseng.

CEO Tae Jongbeom, the commander who planned this large ‘get well’ visit, looked around the conference room with satisfaction.

“Everyone who came is a VIP, so their hands are full. Actor Park will be happy if you fill his house.”

“Is that why you only brought a bouquet of flowers?”

“I told you there’s a gift inside, Ms. Jangmi! Don’t say things that will cause misunderstandings!”

That’s because there was an incredible lineup gathered here right now.

The writers were Eun Heeuk, Yoonbal25, Yeongdoeun, and Yeo Jinju. The actors were Choi Phillip and Jin Jiyu, and in addition, they formed teams for each project to join the get-well visit.

On this side were ‘The Dog of Seoul’s’ Seo Heedo and Yong Joonsang, on that side were ‘Gray City Team Leader’ Byun Hwisueng and Kwon Yuri, and on the opposite end were ‘Butcher and General’s’ Jo Hyuna and Lee Dongsoo, sitting with the writers of their dramas.

People like Kim Ryul, who had schedules, set dates for the next day, and they contacted and selected only those who were available, but this many people still came.

‘Hyung [term for older brother/male friend] will probably be happy too. He’s just lying at home doing nothing these days. Really… thank you so much for caring this much.’

Recalling his conversation with Park Seon, CEO Tae Jongbeom clicked his tongue.

“Anyway… I’m worried.”

Seo Heedo, who was diligently spraying hand sanitizer next to him, asked.

“About what?”

“Park Geon. Why would he get sick at a time when he should be rowing [at his peak]? If I were him, I would take off my clothes and run around Cheongdam Street… no, I don’t really mean that.”

Jin Jiyu glared at him with a fierce look, and CEO Tae flinched.

Byun Hwisueng, who clicked his tongue as if he was pathetic, said.

“CEO, the depression that comes from the highest point is the hardest to endure.”

“Who is CEO….”

“I mean you. The bigger the achievement, the more you have to surpass yesterday’s self with the next project. Fighting yourself every time can be a lot of pressure and burden.”

Yong Joonsang, the lead detective in ‘The Dog of Seoul,’ who first worked with Park Geon, also nodded.

“That makes sense. Besides, Park Geon has been getting attention since his debut. He hasn’t rested at all, so it’s no wonder his mind is tired, not his body.”

Kwon Yuri, who filmed a romantic comedy with the ‘Gray City Team,’ and Jin Jiyu, who arrived first today, looked at him with pity, as if he were a wet puppy.

Park Geon is someone who has made even extras the main characters with his mysterious acting skills, stamina, and inexplicable concentration since his debut.

He doesn’t show it, but how much burden must he have had, taking care of other staff and co-stars on set… even the writers and directors?

Lee Dongsoo and Jo Hyuna also added a word each.

“Geon-hyung [term for older brother/male friend] is so taciturn. He’s not someone who talks about himself well….”

“That’s right. But he takes care of others as if he has a grudge, and there’s no one here who hasn’t received help from Park Geon at least once.”

That’s why they all came. With Jo Hyuna’s words, the conference room fell silent.

That’s right. There may be big and small differences, but there was no one who hadn’t been affected in any way from the beginning to the end of filming a project.

Whether it was recognition or personal matters, they owed something to Park Geon.

While everyone was silent with thoughtful expressions, Choi Phillip stood up.

“Let’s go soon. Before the traffic gets bad.”

*

Dongjak-gu, an apartment complex.

After the visitors who came to visit one after another had left, the house became quiet as if nothing had happened.

The only difference was that the living room, the two brothers’ rooms, and the master bedroom used by their parents were filled with all kinds of health foods and get-well gifts, leaving no room to step.

Park Seon, who sighed deeply, muttered.

“Everyone really came.”

“Yeah. They’re grateful people.”

Geon, who was leaning halfway on the bed, got up. After the premiere of , his mind was complicated for a while because of the returned memories.

He said he was sick because he didn’t think he could focus on his activities in this state, but he didn’t know it would cause such a fuss.

‘Is it so strange that I’m sick?’

He thought about it, but the people who visited left on their own before he could even ask.

But that doesn’t mean they really disbanded. Park Seon, who was tapping on his phone keyboard, rubbed his forehead.

“…I’m going crazy, they all went to the company. They said there’s no way hyung [term for older brother/male friend] could be sick with such a healthy complexion, and that they need to treat the alien virus early.”

“I don’t have an alien virus.”

“Right?”

“I might have a past life virus, but anyway, it was a different dimension.”

Park Seon, who was agreeing, opened and closed his mouth. He hadn’t told the whole story yet, so he looked like he couldn’t tell if it was a joke or not.

“Another world? Maybe… are you talking about that novel? The hero’s adventure that hyung [term for older brother/male friend] is serializing on the fan cafe?”

“Yeah. The one I said I didn’t remember.”

Park Seon seemed to have realized something. Wasn’t his brother the one who had been singing about devils and heroes consistently since his discharge?

Considering his suddenly changed appearance and the unbelievable performance he showed on set, it was understandable that he felt something was strange.

‘Anyway… it was something I had to tell him someday, even if it wasn’t the perfect truth.’

Geon waited for a moment. Until Park Seon’s lowered head came up and his eyes looking at him with a desire for explanation.

After a brief silence, his mouth opened.

“On the day of my discharge, I had a long dream.”

* * *