Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 28

028. Why Don’t You Give It a Try? (2)

November 28, 2021

“I’m scared to even open my eyes every morning. I worry about what kind of trouble will explode when I wake up. Ugh. I’m so glad our Seong-hyun isn’t like that,” Kwon Seong-hyun’s manager muttered, patting his chest. “A current idol having an illegitimate child. And there’s even a record of him urging her to get an abortion…” He shook his head. The manager seemed to know that the end was obvious without even looking. As he said, Lee Deok-chun was heading for a complete downfall. Perhaps because of his nasty personality, which created many enemies, all sorts of dirty past deeds Lee Deok-chun had committed were exposed following his drunk driving and drug use. Naturally, this included the record of Lee Deok-chun pressuring her to have an abortion.

“I don’t think so. It’s better to pull our feet out quickly at this point.” Director Heo, who had been watching the situation unfold, made up his mind. The drama team, which had been as silent as a clam, cautiously released an article. When they aired the behind-the-scenes story of Lee Deok-chun’s unauthorized absence through an entertainment program, the reaction came immediately.

“Oh, I’m so relieved. After learning that he had gone AWOL [Absent Without Leave] even before this incident broke out, the viewers were actually cheering us on, telling us to hang in there. I almost cried when I saw that.”

“It’s a real relief when I think about how the drama almost fell apart.”

“Come to think of it, Yeon-woo’s story was also in the article.”

Writer Min looked back at Yeon-woo and said, “I heard you got an interview request? The assistant director of the midnight entertainment TV program is my friend, and she said she would get an interview after hearing about Yeon-woo. How did it go?”

As she said, people who smelled a story came to Yeon-woo as well. With the news of Lee Deok-chun’s incidents and accidents exploding, Yeon-woo, who had a conflict with him right before that, would have been a very good subject.

But.

“I refused.”

“No, why did you refuse?”

“They kept sticking to me strangely.”

“Huh…?”

“I said that recording or written interviews were possible, but they kept insisting on filming with a camera, so I refused.”

Well, I could tell you what happened. However, the people who came to interview me all insisted on turning on the camera. ‘If not, they even asked to take a picture?’ Thinking of the interviewers who clung to me, asking to take even one picture, my spine tingled. It reminded me of the water ghost I had dealt with a while ago.

“Ah, so that’s why. I wondered why I kept getting strange calls from my friend, but I guess that’s what happened.” Writer Min, who had been tilting her head, burst into hearty laughter. “Strange calls?”

“They kept calling me, asking when she would debut and to let them know only. I guess they thought Yeon-woo was a rookie actress.”

“…I clearly said that I was Kwon Seong-hyun’s manager.”

“We couldn’t believe it, so I don’t know if they could have believed her, who they only saw once.” The way she was smiling seemed somehow joyful.

“But thanks to that, the article will be good, so think of it as a good thing. They’ll promote our drama with all their heart and soul. Because they want to look good to Yeon-woo.”

“Isn’t public opinion already favorable to the drama?”

“That’s true. Thanks to that guy, we’re actually getting sympathy and noise marketing [using controversy to generate publicity], so it’s being promoted on its own. I guess it’s a blessing in disguise? Anyway, thanks to Yeon-woo, our drama will be properly promoted once again.”

“There’s no way.”

Yeon-woo didn’t think so. But the reality was a little different. The day after the program aired, Writer Min said with a bright smile.

“See? I was right, wasn’t I? I told you. I said that since they liked Yeon-woo, they would put it out as favorably as possible to us. They’re also putting us in debt at the same time. If Yeon-woo comes this way, they’ll be happy and run at us again, pushing this matter forward, right?”

Somehow, all the programs that took the interview packaged the drama with all their might. Even Yeon-woo’s part,

-This staff member said that he defended Lee Deok-chun, who had been harassing him, for the sake of the atmosphere of the set. That’s why the set that reporter Shongshong visited was very friendly and warm!

Unfortunately, this filming set, where even each and every staff member is kind, is a drama team suffering from an unexpected storm!

It was said that the day will come when the sun shines brightly! Like that saying, I hope the drama ‘Dear My Ghost’ will be a big hit!

It became a very heartwarming story and was broadcast live nationwide. Thanks to this, as Writer Min expected, the publicity effect and sympathy votes were certainly obtained. In addition, the actors who filmed with such a personality-flawed person were once again highlighted, and they were praised for their humanity and acting skills.

‘…Well, if the result is good, it’ll be fine.’ Yeon-woo decided to think so and move on. Of course, there were still problems left.

[I will pay for my sins and live with a repentant heart in the future.] Because Lee Deok-chun’s position, who was arrested and temporarily retired from the entertainment industry, was vacated. The fact that he was crying and sniveling with an incredibly ugly expression was an added bonus that was preserved in all media.

“The role of the Grim Reaper is actually very important. It’s a role that creates conflict and crisis between the female lead and the male lead, and it’s also a role that controls the tension of the play…”

Filming is impossible if that vacancy is not filled. They had postponed it as much as possible because of Lee Deok-chun, but this kind of fragmented filming was not good for the actors who were immersed in acting.

“If possible, I want to increase the proportion to its original level. It’s already a thing of the past, but I was so annoyed that I had to reduce the proportion because of Lee Deok-chun.” Writer Min said that and slyly looked around.

“So, what I’m saying is… Why don’t Yeon-woo give it a try?”

“Yes?” What kind of nonsense is that? Writer Min, who received Yeon-woo’s absurd gaze, stammered. “No, it’s not just a random suggestion. To be honest, I’ve been thinking about it to some extent. Yeon-woo knows, right? Actually, the Grim Reaper role was canceled because of Lee Deok-chun, and the proportion was drastically reduced because of his terrible acting. I got stress-related alopecia [hair loss] because of that.”

“Writer Min.” Director Heo, who was listening from the side, quietly pulled Writer Min out of Sampo [a Korean expression meaning ‘going off-topic’]. “Ah. This is not the time to talk about this. Anyway, I’m not just saying it for nothing. It’s not like we haven’t seen Yeon-woo act before.”

“When did I act?”

“You did, didn’t you? Kim Tae-hoon’s first scene.”

Come to think of it, Kwon Seong-hyun said ‘acting guidance’ and asked Yeon-woo, who was an amateur, to show him a living experience. ‘Was that acting?’ I just went out and walked, didn’t I? But that wasn’t all.

“Ahem!” Director Heo, who was listening from the side, cleared his throat. “Actually… we… that… we have a video.” “Yes?” “When Yerin fell into the pond. At that time, Yeon-woo jumped in and saved Yerin… One of our staff members was filming with a camera… ?”

“We didn’t try to film it on purpose, and we accidentally found out about it, so don’t misunderstand. Anyway, we happened to see that video… The atmosphere was exactly the atmosphere I wanted!”

-If you guys step up, you’ll fall in the same way. A voice that speaks indifferently in the pitch-black darkness is heard. Soon, the sound of splashing into the water tells what happened. After a while. Miraculously, the lights come on. The camera, which was flustered by the sudden situation, shook wildly and then fixed on the pond. Has a moment of time passed?

Yeon-woo walked out of the water without any disarray, handing Min Yerin to the staff with a blank face without any signs of exhaustion or difficulty. Watching that scene, Writer Min felt a thrill.

‘That’s it!’

A cold face that doesn’t seem to have any emotions. But on one arm, he firmly supports a drooping person. The moment she saw him combing his wet hair with a chilly look, Writer Min thought. ‘I thought it was a rough stone, but it’s not a rough stone, it’s already a jewel ready to shine.’

“The indifferent yet unconsciously saving people, that dual conflict can only be expressed by Yeon-woo. I’m not the only one who thinks so. All of our filming crew have watched it at least once. Everyone was so creeped out that they suffered for a while.” Some people even had nightmares that night after watching the video. The staff member said that a Grim Reaper wearing a black suit from top to bottom appeared and looked down at him. The problem was that the Grim Reaper looked just like Yeon-woo.

“…” I wondered why there were more glances every time I came to the set, but was that why? No. More than that, when did they film such a video?

“If you watch that video, no one will dare to oppose Yeon-woo taking on the role of the Grim Reaper. Don’t you know if you look at the filming crew? Even if Lee Deok-chun came in with his agency power and name power, he eventually fell out because he didn’t have the skills. Yeon-woo’s impression is stuck in those people’s minds!”

This is bound to be a hit! Writer Min’s eyes, burning fiercely, seemed to say that. Writer Min began to coax Yeon-woo with all her might to seduce her.

“Besides, think about it, Yeon-woo. Where are you going to find an actor at this time?”

“Wouldn’t there be many people who would come if you called? Writer Min’s script, Director Heo’s filming, and the cast with Kwon Seong-hyun and Min Yerin are also gorgeous.”

“…No. You’re wrong. All the actors who are good at acting have schedules, and I can’t stand to bring in a terrible actor like Lee Deok-chun anymore. Besides, what if we put in a strange guy and get caught up in another scandal? Then we’re completely ruined.”

“I know that there was an actor who was scheduled to be the Grim Reaper before Lee Deok-chun.”

“Yeon-woo. We don’t have time. To be honest, the filming is now going on with the reduced role of the Grim Reaper, so Seong-hyun and Yerin are all acting according to that interpretation. So, if a new actor clumsily interferes here, it will be very difficult for the two actors to act. The character interpretation may be different. But Yeon-woo is different!”

“…?” What’s so different about it?

“Yeon-woo has been watching the atmosphere of this filming set so far, right? You know a lot about Yerin and Seong-hyun’s characters. Since you already know each other’s roles well, you don’t have to force the chemistry, and I think Yeon-woo will be able to match the two’s acting well?” As if a medicine peddler was selling medicine, Writer Min was passionately explaining. ‘People who do art are all strange in one corner…’ Commercial art is also art if it is art. Writer Min persuaded Yeon-woo in a soft but firm tone that she would refuse.

“Yeon-woo in the video, that’s the ideal Grim Reaper I’ve been wanting. The Grim Reaper that people commonly think of is cold, knife-like, and mercilessly harvesting people’s lives… That’s the atmosphere, right?”

That’s the image that commonly appears in many programs, including the Legendary Hometown [a Korean horror anthology series]. A black robe and a white, expressionless face. So wouldn’t it be regarded as an object of fear?

“But that’s not the Grim Reaper I’m thinking of. How can a person be okay when they only experience the saddest moments of death? Wouldn’t they have killed and suppressed their emotions so as not to get hurt? That’s what I think. That way… the path my child took will be less lonely and lonely.” The last words were close to a whisper, but Yeon-woo could hear them without difficulty.