Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 131

131

Right after Lee Minki arrived at LA Airport.

The first feeling he had was this.

‘The weather is great.’

The weather was unbelievably good.

Isn’t it rare to see a clear sky in Seoul more than two or three times a month?

Even that weather seemed cloudy compared to LA.

On the way from the airport to the accommodation, Lee Minki murmured in a voice full of excitement, like a child.

“Manager, is the weather exceptionally good today?”

“It’s normal. I see clouds too.”

So he says.

Anyway, after the weather, what Lee Minki realized was.

‘It’s comfortable!’

It was comfortable.

Thanks to the fact that few people recognized him, starting from the airport and everywhere on the road.

‘Walking the streets normally like others is such a joyful thing.’

Lee Minki trembled with overwhelming emotion and murmured.

“Not wearing a mask feels like this.”

That’s right.

In the past, how much did he have to be aware of others?

When going out, wearing a baseball cap deep was common sense, and wearing a mask was a matter of etiquette.

Even that wasn’t enough.

Perhaps because he was born with a good physique.

Even if he covered his face, people recognized him one after another.

Naturally, he wore clothes as thick as possible, and in hot weather, he felt like a dumpling in a steamer.

‘It sounds like a luxury, but it pierces my heart.’

Step, step.

In Korea, it was difficult to walk properly unless he was fully armed.

He had already half given up on going to crowded places.

Even when waiting in the airport lounge, he was anxious that people might suddenly point a camera at him.

“Hehe.”

Is being ordinary such a joyful thing?

When Lee Minki, who was excited even by the act of walking, tried to hum, Manager Park Hanmo smiled and said.

“Are you that happy?”

“Yes, I can’t even remember the last time I jogged comfortably. I like that no one recognizes me here yet. I guess it’s because I’m not famous enough yet?”

“Well. I don’t know about that.”

He left room at the end of his words, turned his body for a moment, looked around the street, and said.

“Even after you become famous, I don’t think it will be much different.”

“Really?”

“Even if you’re a star in Hollywood, meeting them on the street is only occasional, and respecting their daily life is an unspoken etiquette.”

“What about paparazzi?”

“That’s why they are paparazzi. Because they have no etiquette.”

“Ah.”

So he says.

Lee Minki clapped his knee as if reminded of a famous Japanese politician.

[Did you ask about 3? To answer, 3 is a number between 2 and 4.]

The street in front of the airport.

‘I should walk a lot while I can.’

Lee Minki was enjoying his leisure to the fullest, using the short gap.

Squeak!

Suddenly, a car stopped at his feet.

A classic car with a vintage feel.

Despite the design that seemed to be from at least the 20th century, Lee Minki admired the clean paint and said to Manager Park Hanmo at the same time.

“Manager, it didn’t stop because of me, did it?”

“No, this is Hollywood. There must be something to do in front of here.”

“Still, just in case.”

“I’ll say it again, this is Hollywood.”

Manager Park Hanmo said in a calm voice, as if emphasizing it again.

“They must have business at the hamburger place in front.”

Come to think of it, there was a hamburger place next to them.

The store’s name was Excalibur Burger.

‘Excalibur? The one from British legend?’

Lee Minki opened his mouth, feeling that it was unusual to have a sword embedded in the store sign befitting the name.

“Is this place famous?”

“It’s a well-known restaurant that everyone in Hollywood knows. Employees in medieval costumes bring the menu.”

Wow, there’s a place like this.

Should I eat lunch here today?

Anyway, Director Kwon Junyong won’t come all the way to America to check my diet.

Lee Minki was about to move his steps while thinking that.

Weeing-

The window of the classic car parked in front of him opened automatically, and there was a person with a white face and pearly white teeth.

‘Who is it?’

He smiled at Lee Minki, showing off his even teeth, and said in English.

“Are you Mr. Minki?”

“……”

“I really wanted to see you. Can I talk to you for a moment?”

At those words, Lee Minki blinked and glanced at Manager Park Hanmo before answering.

“Hmm.”

Manager Park Hanmo, who was standing blankly, opened his mouth.

“If we’re talking about administrative districts, this is closer to Beverly Hills than Hollywood.”

* * *

A secluded spot inside Excalibur Burger.

Gurgle.

“Silver Age Coffee is here. Sir, please spare my life.”

“Thank you.”

Lee Minki sipped the coffee brought by the waiter in peasant clothes, and the man across the table said with an endlessly excited expression.

“Is the coffee decent? I come here often too.”

It was the man who had been driving the classic car a little while ago.

It’s hard to tell the age of Westerners, but he was probably in his 40s.

But he was well-maintained, and his face was so smooth that it was overflowing with shine.

“You keep looking at your phone, do you have an appointment?”

“No, I was just contacting a friend. I’m supposed to meet them later.”

“If it’s a friend, are they living in Hollywood?”

“Something like that.”

A dandy, middle-aged kind of feel.

Jeffrey Rogers, who identified himself, said in a flamboyant voice, as if reminiscent of a comedy show host.

“Hehe, I was so lucky today. I was just passing by, but what a coincidence.”

“Did you know me?”

“Haha, I saw the article this morning. I couldn’t even imagine that there would be someone like you in the world.”

The man, who was shaking his arm with an exaggerated gesture, leaned slightly over the table and said.

“To think I would meet the famous Mr. Minki on my way to work. The heavens have helped me.”

It was as if meeting Lee Minki was a coincidence.

But, in reality, it wasn’t.

‘I’m glad I waited in ambush.’

He had been waiting in this neighborhood for quite a while.

Ever since he heard the news that Lee Minki had caused a major incident on the plane.

He doesn’t have enough recognition in the United States, and the incident on the plane hasn’t spread that widely, but he checked it enough on the internet.

Why he waited for Lee Minki so desperately.

That’s because.

‘If Arthur Danto himself has stepped up to preempt it, it’s worth believing.’

Because Arthur Danto, the editor of the fashion magazine [LE], had chosen Lee Minki.

Would he have done that without a reason?

Jeffrey Rogers’ thought was that there was no way.

‘Magazine guys are more sensitive to information than anyone else. Besides, Arthur Danto personally invited him to the United States, where he has no ties? It’s obvious without looking. There must be a big deal. There’s a definite item.’

Lee Minki has something.

He signed a next project in Hollywood, or he promised a collaboration with a major brand.

If not, he would have come to invest in a business.

That’s why Arthur Danto would have bothered to invite him to the United States.

This was Jeffrey Rogers’ guess.

Of course, in reality, it’s not like that at all.

Arthur Danto just felt something for Lee Minki and invited him, but what can he do?

Isn’t misunderstanding something that happens to everyone?

Moreover, it’s common for one of the big shots in society to have his jokes misinterpreted and cause a cute whirlwind.

‘Hehe, Arthur Danto’s foresight is accurate. This person is only a local actor from the East right now, but he has the potential to become a star later.’

He managed to get at least one thing right.

And one more thing.

“I was hoping Mr. Minki would make a surprise guest appearance on our show, hehe.”

Because Jeffrey Rogers is a show host.

Slurp.

At those words, Lee Minki took another sip of his coffee and said.

“What kind of show are you talking about?”

“Have you ever heard of Last Man Standing?”

It was the moment those words came out of his mouth.

“……!”

Lee Minki’s eyes widened.

Last Man Standing.

If you’re interested in American entertainment, it’s hard not to know about it.

‘I remember that was a pretty popular show.’

While Lee Minki was recalling memories from beyond, Jeffrey Rogers opened his mouth.

“It may be unfamiliar in a foreign country, but it’s not that difficult of a format. 100 people participate and compete until the last one remains. They just fight with quizzes.”

That’s right.

Last Man Standing is a typical quiz show.

However, it takes the form of a battle royale, and the prize money gradually increases as the number of people decreases from 100.

So that the prize money is given to the last person in the end.

That’s why it’s Last Man Standing.

“If you get a question wrong and get eliminated in the middle, the amount you can get is $0. But if you voluntarily withdraw, you can take a reasonable amount of money and leave.”

“If you go all the way and win, how much is the amount?”

It was the moment Lee Minki asked.

Jeffrey Rogers’ white teeth, like rice noodles, sparkled once again, and a confident number popped out of his mouth.

“100,000 dollars.”

“……!”

100,000 dollars.

That’s a substantial amount of money.

It was an unimaginable amount of prize money for just one quiz show.

“Winning one quiz show is like getting a sports car. How is it? Is it a bit sweet?”

It’s sweet.

But there’s something even sweeter than that.

Perhaps feeling the energy of desire in Lee Minki’s eyes, the man said as if taking advantage of the momentum.

“It’s a local LA broadcast, but it still has a fan base nationwide.”

“Then what’s the viewership rating?”

“You can think of it as at least millions of people watch it. Much more if you consider the overseas OTT [Over-The-Top, streaming media] market.”

“…… A lot of people watch it.”

The numbers are big.

A domestic local broadcast is that much, so the big market is the best.

The man smiled as if he had gained the upper hand at the sight of Lee Minki licking his tongue again.

“This is Hollywood. It sells nationwide at the very least. What does that mean? It means that it can be of considerable help to Mr. Minki’s recognition as he continues to work in the United States.”

It looks like it’s over.

He even had confidence and winked one eye.

“At the very least, wouldn’t it be worth appearing for fun?”

At those words, Lee Minki slowly stroked his lips with his finger.

To be honest.

‘It’s a bit tempting.’

It was tempting.

If it was a general entertainment show like a talk show, he would have refused outright because of his lack of English skills.

Although his English skills are quite good, being able to free talk and being entertaining are completely different.

Why, even Korean celebrities who have entered the US market have been diligently avoiding talk shows.

But a quiz show was different.

‘Speaking skills may not be that important.’

What’s important is the ability to solve quizzes itself.

The timing to open your mouth will be greatly dispersed, and only the results will remain.

If he succeeds, it’s a win.

Lee Minki asked as if probing.

“By any chance, what is the question format for this season?”

“Do you know that it’s a seasonal system?”

“I thought so. American TV shows are usually like that.”

“That’s not wrong. Anyway, you can choose one out of three answer choices. Sometimes other questions come out, but not that many.”

Does that mean most of them are multiple choice?

Suddenly, one thought came to Lee Minki’s mind.

‘Isn’t guessing also luck?’

There’s nothing that reflects luck as much as a quiz.

It would be difficult if it was short answer.

But what about multiple choice?

‘It means you have to pick one out of three.’

The fact that he is lucky has been proven by repeated cross-validation.

If he goes out on a quiz show here and shows a great performance in front of millions of people, as Jeffrey Rogers said, what would happen?

‘It will probably help my future activities in the United States.’

It’s a win if it becomes a topic in any way.

Time will fly by, but that would only take about a day.

It was the moment Lee Minki thought so.

“Instead, we can’t just give everything away for free.”

Jeffrey Rogers said as if drawing a line.

“There is no appearance royalty for the first appearance. I hope you will consider this much. Instead, isn’t it promotion?”

He threw the carrot first and then entered into negotiations.

He would have refused if he had mentioned money first.

But since he mentioned the recognition he would gain by appearing on the show first, it was inevitable that Lee Minki would be tempted.

It was a somewhat cunning method.

It’s clearly a star in a foreign country, but it means he’s going to use Lee Minki for free.

But in reality, this strategy was working well.

‘It’s important to do something.’

Lee Minki’s head was spinning.

‘Okay, another one is won.’

Jeffrey Rogers raised the corners of his mouth.

But there were still two things he didn’t know.

The first is that Lee Minki knows American entertainment so well that he watches almost everything.

That’s right.

Lee Minki didn’t know Arthur Danto.

‘I was a little embarrassed at first, but it turns out it’s really him.’

He’s not an idiot, so if someone he met for the first time in a foreign country suddenly asked to talk, would he follow him on his own?

And the second.

Lee Minki knew that he didn’t know the American entertainment industry well.

Also that JC is not familiar with the US market.

So of course.

“The story is interesting.”

He had called in an ally who knew the local situation well.

“A quiz show, I like quiz shows too.”

Boyana Olsen.

She, who came out to meet Park Hanmo and Lee Minki, said with a bright smile.

“Min, do they give you a lot of money if you appear there?”

“……”

At her appearance, Jeffrey Rogers looked at Lee Minki with an awkward surprised expression and asked.

“By any chance, is that the friend you were supposed to meet?”

“Yes.”

Lee Minki finally smiled and said.

“As you can see.”