Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 161

The Memory of the Hero (5)

* * *

JNBC Building.

Two people sat facing each other in the director’s office.

“Look at these people, they’ve gone to see every somewhat famous person. Even congressmen wouldn’t do this much.”

Kim Baek-dong, the director, clicked his tongue, and Na Jong-mo PD received his words with a pleased expression.

“Doesn’t that mean Gun-i has bought people’s hearts more than those politicians?”

They thought they were going privately, but the relay of visits from the ‘Park Gun Squad’ was eventually reported and became a hot topic.

It was no wonder, as everyone from the actors to the staff who had worked with Park Gun even once went to show their faces.

Reporters were excitedly writing articles about how it was a rare heartwarming story in a harsh world, and how accumulating good deeds brings blessings.

“When did you get so close as to call him Gun-i? And why didn’t you go? With the CP [Chief Producer] position right in front of you, have you already lost interest? Not even showing your face to the most important actor?”

“No, I told you, I was filming then! Of course, I visited him separately later. The director and actor who tied my topknot [close relationship], how could we be ordinary acquaintances?”

Kim Baek-dong’s eyes narrowed.

If there’s a flaw in this guy, it’s his stubbornness from being a Chungmuro [Korean film industry district] native. When that stubbornness works positively, it’s a huge hit, but the moment it goes slightly wrong, it collapses completely.

Having gone through ‘The Dog of Seoul’ and ‘Manghoidol,’ he had become quite solid, and the Wednesday-Thursday drama he recently started was boasting excellent results even without Park Gun.

“Park Gun is amazing. Whether he’s sitting or standing, anyone who’s been involved with him even in passing has done well.”

“That’s right. Thanks to him, your blood pressure has also gone down a bit, Director.”

“My blood pressure, you brat?”

Even as he raised his hand as if to punch him, Kim Baek-dong’s expression became awkward. It was true that his usual roaring voice, like a steam train whistle, had become quieter lately.

Na Jong-mo PD coaxed him in a subtle voice.

“No, isn’t it true? Seo Hee-do alone has grown into a decent leading actor. Not to mention Director Kim Ryul… Look at Byun Hwi-seung. He completely revived after working with Gun-i.”

“Well, considering the rumors that he was retiring… He’s like a doctor. He has the energy to revive even dying has-beens.”

Indeed, after ‘The Dog of Seoul,’ Seo Hee-do shattered the acting controversy and soared, and Byun Hwi-seung recovered his image as if by magic.

Kwon Yuri, who had a relatively small role, swept up commercials as a CF [commercial film] queen, and the supporting actors of ‘General Baekjeong’ are all doing well, landing leading and supporting roles.

At this point, it was more like a human lottery than a work lottery.

‘On the other hand, if you get on his bad side, you all go to hell. The guys who tried to slander him, too.’

Just two days ago. He had drinks with an old friend, writer Eun Hee-wook. The main topic on the chopping block was DG’s crisis.

‘The movements of the shareholders are unusual. Byun Dong-geun keeps making bad moves, so if things continue like this, something will really happen soon.’

‘That Byun Dong-geun?’

‘Yes. It seems he relied too much on Cha In-hyuk’s scouting and concept management for years. There’s also the chronic problem of artist handling…’

Korea’s two major agencies. DG, once called a colossal dinosaur, had been steadily declining.

Controversies over drugs and personality of leading actors, drunk driving and scandals of affiliated idols [pop stars], and the recent series of box office failures of artists.

Its size allowed it to withstand for a while, but it was predicted that it would be in trouble without other innovations.

Writer Eun Hee-wook added a few words to that.

‘Byun Dong-geun probably knows where it started. He’s probably regretting biting Park Gun and resenting the dog that left home by now.’

Even if you dismiss it as ‘Park Gun’s omnipotence,’ the state of Ki Eun-seo alone is not right.

After a moment of silence, Kim Baek-dong brought the strayed topic back.

“By the way, what’s wrong with that friend? He even went to South America for filming a movie, is it some kind of regional endemic disease?”

“In my opinion, it’s lovesickness.”

“Puh!”

Kim Baek-dong ended up spitting out the bottled water he was drinking.

“Lovesickness? That Park Gun?”

Na Jong-mo PD nodded seriously.

“Yes, from what I hear, the symptoms are exactly like lovesickness. A person who was as strong as steel is listless and has no motivation, and he doesn’t even eat the food he used to like so much.”

“…Come on, how can an actor like that have lovesickness? The world’s masters must be looking for him.”

“That’s why he might be more empty. Even if he becomes a walking corporation, he can’t change people’s hearts.”

At his junior’s serious voice, which he rarely heard, Kim Baek-dong’s brow also furrowed.

“I can’t help it. Find out what that friend likes, I’ll send something to CEO Noh in his name.”

“He probably earns more than you already, Director. Just breathing, he owns two or three buildings…”

“Still, the thought is important! Who knows, he might come to our drama for his next project!”

Na Jong-mo PD picked his ear and replied.

“I’ve been doing that for years, give up your expectations. I’ll just get my CP position and support Senior Jae-geol.”

“You rotten bastard. Who said I’d let you get it?”

*

“So, that’s how I came back.”

“Then, the contact was cut off too…”

“When I woke up, only a few hours had passed. The unit was in an uproar, but.”

When his brother’s story ended, Park Seon couldn’t open his mouth for a while.

He was shocked by the ‘past life story,’ which was too detailed to be just a dream.

‘It’s not a joke or a prank. Hyung [older brother] trusts me and told me a real story.’

Park Seon raised his head.

The superstar of Cannes, who had been pouring out a long story for over an hour, was calmly looking out the window.

It’s truly a novel-like story.

He had a dream on the morning of his discharge ceremony, and in it, he was summoned to another dimension.

And that’s not all. In that place called the Iron Kingdom, his brother said he had crossed countless deaths.

Gathering comrades, slaughtering demon armies, entrusting his back to the saintess.

He probably couldn’t believe it easily either. If it weren’t for the image his brother had shown so far.

‘He said that when the camera turned on, the forgotten memories came back one by one…’

In the past, he had seen an amazing story on a YouTube program.

There were people who gained extraordinary memory or knowledge they never knew through experiences in dreams, and in some ways, it was similar to his brother’s symptoms.

In the midst of confusion, Park Seon, the brother of Park Gun and the son of Park Yeol-ho and Han Young-joo, thinks.

‘…Where did it start to be different?’

From the beginning.

The answer was as clear as a fired bullet. After chasing out Team Leader Oh Gwi-joon, he showed action directing in his debut work that even led the extras.

Immediately after ‘Hoido Team,’ someone caught the paparazzi that even the police couldn’t catch during the all-out war with DG… In ‘General Baekjeong,’ he saved Baek Ha-ni, who was about to get seriously injured.

Isn’t it an impossible story, no matter how much he’s from a special forces unit? If he wasn’t a warrior of the Iron Kingdom who had experienced so many lives, so many deaths.

“So, that’s why you weren’t like Hyung at first. Mom and Dad said that too.”

Park Gun nodded.

“I know everyone just let it go. I tried not to show it, but it wasn’t easy to return to reality. Thanks to you and my parents, I adapted quickly.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? It’s so hard to hide it alone, you could have just told me everything…”

“There was no chance. It’s not an easy story to believe, and you’ve been busy too.”

Looking at his brother smiling, Park Seon bit his lip. It sounds blunt at first glance, but… he now knows that it contains deep affection.

Just like Park Gun before enlistment and Park Gun after discharge are essentially the same brother.

Suddenly, his younger brother hugged him, and Park Gun looked slightly surprised but didn’t push him away.

“…Was it hard?”

“It’s okay. It’s all over.”

“Still… Hyung lived for dozens of years during that time. And he couldn’t even wake up…”

Eventually, after Park Seon shed tears, the brothers had a long conversation.

Comrades and enemies he met in the dream (but felt like reality) world, battles with great demons, fallen nobles, and suspicious angels.

“So, that’s why you were drawn to the Black Priest. Of all things, it’s an occult with demons.”

“I guess so. There were commonalities in each role in General Baekjeong, Manghoidol, and the recently filmed God.”

Park Seon belatedly opened his mouth wide.

“Wow, but it’s really amazing. How is it that the name Hyung used was in the scenario as it is?”

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence. I think it’s also why I became an actor and why I’ve been filming these works.”

At the end of Park Gun’s reminiscence, there was a brief silence between the two.

Park Seon, who rubbed his eyes a few times, asked.

“So, Hyung, what are you going to do in the future? You said your memories came back again with this movie.”

“Yeah, I feel like there’s not much left.”

“This is the time to row! But your health comes first, so let’s rest this year and pick out the scenarios around the beginning of next year. There will definitely be one of those, pak [impactful], works.”

“It’s okay. I don’t need to rest more.”

Huh? When Park Seon, who was looking for the digital script, asked back, there was no one on the bed.

Amidst the cool breeze shaking the curtains, the actor who had already gotten up said.

“Now… everything is settled.”

*

Chief Lee Sang-cheol opened the window with a serious expression. And after looking at the sunny outside once, he looked back at the sofa in the headquarters office.

“Lightning doesn’t strike in a clear sky…”

These days, scenes that make you doubt your eyes were happening quite often in Roman Entertainment.

The company’s two top actresses, sitting on either end of the sofa, crossed their arms as if they had made a promise.

“…Hmph.”

Baek Ha-ni, wearing a snow-white blazer and short suit pants, snorted,

“Were you here, Chief? That’s a relief.”

This is Jin Ji-yu, who came to the company with full makeup even though she had no schedule.

Chief Lee Sang-cheol looked at the two alternately and then touched his forehead.

“Why are you two doing this again? Are you going to fight here now? Should I pack your bags and kick you out?”

“…I have nothing to fight with her about? Unless she steals my role again.”

“That’s right. I’m maintaining a strategic friendly relationship with Unnie [older sister – term of endearment]. It just so happened that we ran into each other in front of the CEO’s office.”

Just a few minutes ago, CEO Noh Joong-man received an urgent call and left his seat. Only then did the chief’s expression show a sign of understanding.

“Ah, so that’s why you stormed in here?”

Baek Ha-ni, who had her arms crossed, retorted irritably.

“Then what should I do? I came because he told me to come today, but he disappeared.”

“I can’t help it. It’s a matter of the company’s fate.”

“…Yes?”

The stakes are high. Jin Ji-yu asked back as if she had misheard, and Baek Ha-ni’s eyebrows also went up.

“The company’s fate? What’s going on?”

“It’s about DG.”

The two actresses looked at each other for a moment.

Although the gossip and articles haven’t spread yet, if you’re a key player in the company, you’re bound to see and hear things. Especially if it’s related to them.

Jin Ji-yu shrugged her shoulders.

“Ah, that place. I beat them and they lost face a bit. I don’t want to compete with them in dramas for a while.”

“Did you only beat them? The viewership difference was bigger on our side. KBC’s PD [Producer-Director] Kang Chi-wook even called me drunk.”

“What did he say to Unnie?”

Baek Ha-ni shook her hands as if chasing away a bug.

“I told him to use actors well from now on and then blocked him. Why is he making a fuss when he messed up?”

Gu Shin-seung, Jin Ji-yu, Baek Ha-ni.

These three have been alternating in driving viewership ratings for every drama they’ve been in recently, dominating the home theater.

15%, 23%, 26%… While Park Gun was touring overseas, they completely established the discipline of the domestic drama scene.

Is that why? After DG’s stock price plummeted at one point, information was circulating that the conflict between CEO and Executive Producer Byun Dong-geun and the management was intensifying.

If CEO Noh Joong-man is going to move from there? It’s obvious that it’s a job to tighten the dinosaur’s breath.

“What does the CEO plan to do? No matter how badly they’re doing, it won’t be easy to acquire them, will it?”

Jin Ji-yu asked, but Chief Lee Sang-cheol only shrugged his shoulders.

“You’ll find out soon. Don’t worry, our actors won’t have to get their hands dirty.”

“We’ve already gotten a lot on our feet instead of our hands. What’s the big deal about stepping on them a little more.”

Baek Ha-ni said nonchalantly, wiggling her thin ankles. There are more than a truckload of works and actors that have been crushed by those heels.

The chief, who sighed, asked.

“So, what’s your business? Are you gathering another Park Gun memorial expedition?”

“…When did I ever gather one? I didn’t even go with them.”

“Or not. Looking at your makeup, I think I should refund something.”

At that moment, the two actresses’ eyes met. At the same time, words flowed out as if no one was first.

“About the next project…”

* * *