Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 33

Who Calls Them Outsiders (1)

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“Then I’ll take that as a favorable consideration.”

“Of course, absolutely!”

“How could I possibly refuse when the CEO is putting in so much effort? I’ll drop everything and come running!”

In front of a humble noodle shop in Jongno.

Drunken bit players shout enthusiastically. They’re the last recruits on Director Kim Ryul’s radar.

“Alright, alright, enough of that, let’s have a drink together. I’m going to drain this whole neighborhood of alcohol today.”

“Oh, thank you, but we have another place to go… Right, Director Kim?”

“Yes. I’ll contact you separately.”

CEO Tae Jong-beom, barely escaping their grasp, wiped away sweat.

“You know how strong people in this industry are with their drinks, right? If you go in there, you’ll end up with liver damage.”

“You were drinking every day at the beginning of the year. With the people from Goong Productions, and whenever you called actors from some entertainment company…”

“Ahem, Han PD [Production Director]. There are many ears listening, so let’s refrain from such exaggerations.”

The long casting journey, which started in the provinces and moved to Seoul, has finally come to an end.

Some actors refused, some welcomed it, but most reacted positively to the scenario.

More than anything, they seemed impressed that the lead actor had come down to the provinces with the production team.

Perhaps that’s why their expressions were bright despite the tough schedule. CEO Tae expressed his gratitude effusively.

“Our light and salt! You worked incredibly hard today. We would have been rejected by half of them if it weren’t for you, Actor Park.”

“It’s nothing. It’s a shame I couldn’t get a definite answer from everyone.”

“A definite answer? Ah, that cultural center… just forget about it. It wasn’t even in Director Kim’s portfolio, was it?”

Assistant Director Han Sang-yoon added.

“That’s right. I checked their background just in case, but there wasn’t really anything there.”

Gun recalled a few hours earlier.

‘She didn’t seem to dislike it…’

Lee Jang-mi of the theater group ‘Gap.’ She maintained a cold reaction even when offered a casting opportunity right in front of her.

“Hey, Jang-mi, what’s wrong?”

“Don’t you know who this is? It’s Choi Seung of ‘Dog of Seoul,’ the really good one!”

Even though the people around her were anxious and making a fuss, her answer was always the same.

“I’m sorry you came all this way.”

“Why won’t you do it?”

“I don’t act anymore. I’m just here to fill in today.”

“But you keep performing on stage. Just as passionately as the others.”

A look of surprise flashed across Lee Jang-mi’s face. But it was only for a moment, and she returned to her usual deadpan expression.

“You must have seen wrong. There are many people here who are better than me, so pick someone from here.”

After Lee Jang-mi left, the leader of the theater group hurriedly added an explanation.

“She used to be the ace of our group, she takes care of her elderly grandmother alone, she went up to Seoul a few years ago and came back a semi-invalid…”

Director Kim Ryul’s expression darkened, and CEO Tae made a knowing expression as he left, chattering.

“If Park Gun saw something, there must have been something there. But you can’t force someone to take a position they don’t want. Even if you drag someone like that here, they’ll run away on the day of the shoot, you know?”

The cult leader Park Shin-young of the Salvation Society could be glimpsed from her performance on stage.

The acting of being possessed by a demon, the fanaticism unique to devout believers, the youthful yet somehow seasoned mask, etc., perfectly matched the female cult leader he had imagined while reading the scenario, but,

‘Well, there are things you can’t control.’

He left his business card with the theater group members, so she would show up at the open audition if her mind changed.

Sometimes indifference, not interest, is effective. Trying to drag someone along only backfires.

—My people are dying. Are you telling me to deal with a distant disaster while ignoring the imminent calamity? Is that what so-called heroes should say!

As he turned away, recalling another bitter memory, Director Kim Ryul called out.

“Mr. Park Gun, are you alright?”

“Yes. I’m fine.”

A sincere gratitude appeared on his tanned face.

“Thank you so much today. Thanks to you, I had much less trouble.”

“It’s just gathering people to work together. I’m used to it because I’ve done it a lot.”

“Ah… you’ve done it before.”

“Yes, it reminded me of that time and it was fun.”

Kim Ryul nodded as if he understood. In fact, he should be the one receiving the thanks.

In the 21st-century entertainment market, finding a pearl in the mud is almost impossible with individual effort.

Just checking the data collected by headhunters, like large entertainment companies do, and listing the promising talents among them requires enormous labor and time.

In that respect, today’s top contributor is none other than Director Kim Ryul.

“But, Director Kim. When did you pick all these people? How did you do it in a few days?”

“I was preparing in advance. I also asked for favors from seniors and juniors from independent films and theater circles. It’s a list that I barely managed to put together.”

Among the people they met today while touring the country, there were some from dramas and some from theater.

The actor who had been working as an unknown for twenty-five years even mistook the group for scammers and got angry.

‘Kim, I heard people from a famous production company in Seoul came?’

‘Aren’t they scammers? I don’t even have money to eat and die!’

‘Look at the person behind you. Does he look like someone who would scam you? He’s a celebrity, you old man!’

There were positive reactions and negative reactions, but their common point was that they showed ‘potential.’

Not bad.

Gun nodded.

Quite good. This Kim Ryul guy is ready to go to war.

If strength is lacking, numbers are the way to go. He also had parties of at least ten and up to thirty people when he was gathering colleagues.

The next thing depends on two things.

Is the leader’s ability outstanding?

Can I trust my colleagues with my back?

“Umm, Actor Park?”

“Yes, CEO.”

“I’m hungry, so let’s go for a drink. Why, do you remember the tripe restaurant I told you about before? Their side dishes are amazing. I, Tae Jong-beom, will take responsibility for greasing your throat [treating you to good food and drinks].”

“You just said you wouldn’t drink…”

The assistant director clicked his tongue next to him, but there was no reason to refuse when he was offering to grease his throat for free.

Just as he was about to nod, Park Sun intervened.

“Ah, I’m sorry, but we have to stop by the company for a bit because we haven’t made our greetings yet.”

“Oh, then you should go! Go in carefully and see you again. Let’s go, Han PD!”

If Roman told him to, he would jump into a fire. As CEO Tae, who even gave a salute, walked away, Director Kim Ryul approached.

As if he had something difficult to say, he pursed his lips for a long time before finally speaking.

“That… I’m sorry to ask, but if it’s not too much to ask, could you promote it to the agency later…”

Gun nodded readily.

“I was going to say that anyway. I’ll talk to the PR team.”

“Thank you. I’d really appreciate it.”

It’s good for the agency if the actor does well, but the company’s promotional resources are limited.

It’s even more cautious because it can be seen as sticking a straw in a newly joined employee, asking them to do this and that.

“Director Kim Ryul, he’s really cool.”

In the car, driving to Roman headquarters, Park Sun muttered as if impressed.

“What?”

“He never gives up even when things are difficult. His drive and charisma are no joke. Not just for us… I really hope this movie does well.”

My brother is right.

Today, he saw something similar to his old self in that taciturn man.

Humiliation. Inferiority. Frustration. The tenacity and speculation that only those who have failed most of their goals can have, the feeling that this is the last chance.

I heard that… most of the actors he cast didn’t come, so this audition was ruined?

Gun clenched and unclenched his right hand. Transcendental powers are gone, but there is still much he can do.

“I’ll make it happen.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t like losing either.”

*

Roman Entertainment.

The office building with its smooth, curved design still had its lights on brightly.

“Isn’t it too late?”

“No, the City Bank kids are all busy because of their overseas schedules. The PR team staff, and even the head of the headquarters these days, don’t leave until midnight.”

The brothers, who parked their car in the underground parking lot, took the elevator to the lobby.

Park Sun had come a few times after the contract to take care of things, but it was the first time he had come with him.

As they crossed the golden lobby, they saw a familiar face behind the entrance. It was the security guard who pretended to be an actor when he came to catch Manager Oh Gwi-joon.

Gun bowed his head before his brother could step forward.

“I’m sorry about that time. I was in too much of a hurry because of my brother’s work, and I unintentionally caused trouble.”

“I’m sorry again!”

Park Sun next to him also handed over the coffee he had bought and shouted.

The security guard was momentarily bewildered, then looked back and forth between the two brothers with a serious look.

“…Then please take a picture for me.”

“Yes.”

“And an autograph too. Congratulations on the contract.”

“Of course.”

The incident ended warmly. Park Sun, who was in the elevator, checked the celebrity schedule stored on his phone.

“Considering the time… we should just see the head of the headquarters and the PR staff. Actors aren’t usually at the company anyway.”

“Ah, I didn’t contact them.”

“Huh? Contact who?”

“No. Just a friend.”

Next to his brother, who nodded without suspicion, Gun quietly turned on the messenger.

[Hello.]

[Yes, hello.]

The conversation with Jin Ji-yu ended there. The first and last received date was two weeks ago.

I didn’t have anything to say, so I didn’t contact them anymore, but should I have left a greeting since we’re eating from the same pot [working for the same company]?

‘Well, we’ll run into each other someday since we’re in the same company.’

CEO Noh was away on a meeting, so they stopped by the headquarters office first.

“Oh, Park Gun!”

“Hello, Head of Headquarters.”

Head of Headquarters Lee Sang-cheol, who was having a late dinner, greeted the brothers warmly.

“Park Sun is here too. Is this your second time here?”

“Yes, I’m sorry for the late greeting.”

“There’s no need to be sorry, it’s not good for an actor to come in and out of the company often. You only need to see someone like me when you sign a contract.”

As expected of the head of a large entertainment company. With a very ordinary impression and only wearing rimless glasses, you can feel the experience of going through all kinds of hardships.

The head of headquarters, who wiped his hands with a wet tissue, asked for a handshake.

“I’m glad to see you again. It was awkward at first, but let’s do well for that part from now on.”

“I look forward to working with you too.”

As he was about to say hello and leave, he saw a huge parcel box next to the desk.

Head of Headquarters Lee Sang-cheol let out a deflating laugh.

“Ah, that. It’s huge, right?”

“Yes. Is it some kind of gift box…”

“It’s not a gift, but someone sent the most expensive Styler [a clothing care system] from Joo Sung Electronics. They said they would compensate for the broken item. It’s too big, so I just received it and couldn’t even open it.”

“If you need it, please tell me. I’ll move it for you.”

He said it seriously, but the head of headquarters laughed loudly as if he thought it was a joke.

“Thank you for the thought. Are you going down?”

“Yes, I was thinking of at least saying hello since I came.”

“Park Sun, please guide him well. You’ve been here for a few weeks, so you’ll be more familiar than your brother.”

“Of course. I’ll do my best!”

Park Sun, who answered vigorously, took the lead as soon as she left the headquarters office.

‘Her steps are light.’

She used to be a newly joined road manager, but this time she is strictly the exclusive manager of the affiliated actor.

There is no manager who is unhappy with the actor’s performance, and no younger sibling who is not proud of their brother’s sudden success.

“The CEO’s office is on the top floor, the headquarters office is below that, the PR team and the A&R team [Artists and Repertoire] are on the floor below that… the training zones for acting, dancing, and singing are in the basement. Where do you want to go first?”

Gun chose without hesitation.

“The closest place first.”

*