Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 153

153. The Entertainment

Immediately after the premiere of ‘Manman-Too,’ the first review that surfaced was simply this:

The Entertainment.

In Korean, this term encompasses all creative activities intended for amusement or pleasure.

Music, video, acting, comedy, and everything else that falls under the umbrella of entertainment.

The reviewer chose this single word. What was their intention?

[Is it good or bad?]

[Doesn’t seem like they’re criticizing.]

[Is it a joke? Like, the concept of entertainment itself is a joke?]

[No, it seems like they mean the film *is* entertainment itself?]

Amidst these varied interpretations, a more detailed report followed, stating:

[A work that perfectly caters to the public’s taste.]

Any lingering anticipation or doubt solidified into firm conviction.

[Maiar Pictures possesses an intricate understanding of what the public desires and expects from their viewing experience.

‘Manman-Too’ was meticulously designed to fulfill these expectations.

It anticipates the audience’s desire for specific scenes and promptly delivers them, ensuring continuous engagement and immersion.]

It was an undeniably glowing review.

John Kidney.

His article, penned by a critic renowned throughout Hollywood, illuminated this truth with the clarity of a lighthouse beam.

[That’s not to say it’s a shallow work devoid of originality and filled with obvious clichés.

It doesn’t merely rely on clichés but utilizes them effectively.

The world created by Maiar Pictures is akin to a harsh and unpredictable jungle.

Within it, we crave a refreshing stream of cool water.

Carrot and stick [a reward and punishment system].

Maiar Pictures skillfully directed this entire process with impressive finesse.

I’ll conclude here.

Experience it for yourself in theaters. Until the very end.]

It wasn’t just a rave review; it was a rave review of particular significance.

Why?

[John Kidney is actually saying *this* much?]

Because it was John Kidney’s rave review.

Who is he?

Just an ordinary critic?

No.

Rather, wasn’t he notorious for delivering such scathing reviews that entertainment movie directors felt personally attacked?

[A lazily made movie]

[Typical Hollywood fare]

[Worth watching only after consuming three bottles of beer]

[I predicted the ending the moment I entered the theater.]

[Twists for the sake of twists, characters for the sake of characters.]

Every single one of those was a John Kidney review.

If Korea has critic Park Byung-shik, America has John Kidney.

Unless it’s a masterpiece of exceptional quality, John Kidney is known for tearing down any entertainment movie.

And *that* is the man who showered ‘Manman-Too’ with praise.

[???]

[???????]

[What on earth did they create?]

Barely twenty minutes after the premiere concluded, the internet was ablaze, as if facing a 21st-century nuclear war.

* * *

The articles all converged on the same point.

[Super Hype]

[Korea’s film shooting expertise has reached a global standard.]

[A prime example that production costs and studio size are not the sole determinants of movie quality.]

[Netplay accurately predicted the Super Bowl.]

[Watch it three times. Preferably four.]

Although details were scarce due to the embargo, the consensus was that the movie was exceptional.

It represented the pinnacle of entertainment cinema.

If the reviews had been merely moderately positive, it would have been one thing, but the overwhelmingly positive sentiment inevitably swayed public opinion.

[No way, they made such a big deal about acting twice, and they actually made something like *that*?]

It was a complete shift in attitude.

[I always believed in Lee Min-ki lolololol]

[It’s not that they couldn’t make it at Netplay and acted coy, but they were actually begging for more with bundles of money lololol]

[Ah lololololol]

[My heart is pounding because I want to see it already]

[If it’s good, just admit it’s good~~~]

[The production team definitely said it was good zzz We were the ones who didn’t believe it lololol]

Rave reviews were now unavoidable.

The tide had definitively turned.

Of course, not everyone evaluated it positively.

[Aren’t you guys forgetting the Raje incident?]

[Don’t forget Negeumma Shar]

There were still plenty of skeptics wary of the critics’ pronouncements.

Some even suggested that Lee Min-ki had received an “oriental buff” [positive treatment due to his ethnicity] in Hollywood based on PC [political correctness] principles.

[Yeah~~~ I can’t hear you~~~]

This was Korea, after all.

Amidst all the clamor, one person was more excited than anyone else, feeling as if they were about to faint.

“…I’m alive.”

It was Lee Min-ki.

Being naturally somewhat timid, he had been incredibly anxious about the premiere.

He worried that his participation might detract from the work’s overall quality.

But fortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case.

No, it was even better than that.

‘To think John Kidney would actually praise it!’

He had even garnered praise from John Kidney!

In the past, when the original ‘Manman-Too’ was released, John Kidney had been the sole voice of criticism, holding nothing back.

What had he said?

[An obvious movie that tries desperately not to appear obvious]

He was the only critic who trashed it at the premiere.

[Why is that guy always like that?]

[He’s just a hipster.]

The comment became so infamous that it sparked ridicule among Korean netizens.

And now, that same John Kidney was showering ‘Manman-Too’ with praise.

‘I can’t believe it.’

Lee Min-ki took a slow, deliberate breath.

He glanced again at the review’s author.

[Author: John Kidney]

Seeing the name unchanged, he broke into a bright smile.

“Hehehehehe.”

He couldn’t help but laugh.

He never imagined he would receive praise from John Kidney in his entire life.

And there was another reason for his joy.

‘This is the joy of being a creator.’

It was the thrill of being responsible for the work’s success.

‘I thought I was going to suffocate from the tension.’

That tension had now transformed into an even greater joy, returning to him in full force.

It was like the feeling of motorcycle riders speeding through the wind.

The thrill comes from the danger.

A bigger reward is given because there is risk.

If you don’t laugh in this situation, you’re probably not a human being made of flesh and blood.

‘Now, I just have to wait for the release.’

Could he even aim for an Oscar?

What had recently been a joke now seemed like a possible reality, with only a slight exaggeration.

Oh, and there was one more piece of good news.

Thump.

Kim Tae-yang, who had been in the other room, opened the door and came into the living room, saying, “Did you see the news about Media Future CEO Ham Chi-hyun?”

“Ah, that.”

It was an article about Media Future.

Lee Min-ki mumbled to himself, unsure whether to laugh or be serious.

“He was arrested.”

That’s right.

CEO Ham Chi-hyun had been formally arrested that morning.

Lee Min-ki, recalling the article, mumbled, “Did it say he forced aspiring actors to work by beating them when they tried to run away?”

“Yes, their whole bodies were covered in blue bruises. They reported it to the police while living as a hikikomori [social recluse] in their room.”

It was a recent revelation.

Apparently, they had gained the courage to come forward thanks to Lee Min-ki’s internal whistleblowing.

As a result, CEO Ham Chi-hyun was arrested on charges of assault, in addition to existing charges of tax evasion and fraud.

‘I knew he was trash, but I didn’t know he would actually hit people.’

I guess there’s always a new low to be reached.

There are still so many things I don’t know in the world.

Lee Min-ki clicked his tongue at the bitter realization and said, “Those things will disappear now. At least around us.”

“It must.”

Kim Tae-yang muttered quietly.

“Kim Do-ha, Hwang In-gu, Ham Chi-hyun, and anyone else like them—a world must come where they can’t hold their heads up while swindling others.”

“…….”

“It’s just the beginning.”

A subtle but clear anger underscored his words.

Why was he so angry?

Why did he, who had only ever followed the typical elite path as an actor, empathize so deeply?

Ironically, it was *because* he had lived such a privileged life.

‘He said he saw many aspiring actors being unfairly treated around him.’

It wasn’t that there were no injustices for high-level aspiring actors.

Rather, there must have been times when they had to forcibly swallow even greater coercion under the guise of better opportunities.

“Yes, of course.”

Lee Min-ki nodded and said, “From today onwards. Oh, come to think of it, it’s almost time for the others to arrive.”

Turning his head to look at the clock, he saw it was already approaching 8 PM.

Today was an important day in many ways.

It was to commemorate the positive reception of ‘Manman-Too’ at the premiere, but there was another purpose as well.

“Since it’s a launching ceremony, let’s eat a lot of delicious things.”

Lee Min-ki’s label.

Today was the day that label would officially begin.

* * *

A gym softly lit with orange lights.

On the table were delicacies and delivered food personally prepared by Kim Tae-yang.

Fifteen guests sat around it.

And.

“Ah, ah.”

Lee Min-ki, standing in front, held a spoon instead of a microphone and began to speak.

“I would like to thank the gentlemen and ladies who have come to this Lee Min-ki House.”

“Teacher.”

Trainer Kim Ah-sung raised his hand.

“Yes, please speak.”

“Let’s get straight to the point. This doesn’t suit you.”

“…….”

At his words, Lee Min-ki pouted and placed the spoon back on the table.

Then, he sighed and said, “I almost became the Joker.”

“The Joker?”

“It’s a long story. Yes, anyway, thank you for coming, and thank you for being with me so far. It’s not in my nature to make this long, so I’ll just say one more thing.”

Before saying that one more thing, Lee Min-ki slowly raised his head and looked at the faces of everyone present.

Kim Ji-hwan, Yoo Seon-ah, Kim Tak, Kim Tae-yang, and other classmates from Jam Acting School.

‘I’ve known them for several years already.’

Trainer Kim Ah-sung, Manager Park Han-mo, Director Seo Jeong-woo, and other people from JC Entertainment.

‘I never thought I would end up working at JC.’

And CEO Yoo Gyu-eon, who happened to be in Korea.

‘I didn’t know that working a model part-time job would turn out like this.’

Song Woo-dang, who came to visit, was invited as a courtesy.

‘Let’s see what happens in the future.’

Choi Yoo-chang, a ten-million-viewer actor who usually spends his days as a jobless bum.

‘You really had nothing to do.’

Joo Ha-na and Jerry, who became close on the set of [Forever Green] and meet occasionally.

‘I haven’t seen them much lately.’

The two representatives of Maiar Pictures.

‘When are you getting married?’

And the culprit who makes this vast gym seem small for some reason.

‘……Your bulk seems to be increasing?’

Even Director Kwon Joon-yong.

A total of fifteen people stood before Lee Min-ki.

‘It feels awkward to set the mood and talk in a gym.’

To allow such a large group with this much recognition to have fun without worrying about noise, there were limitations to the location.

Anyway.

‘I feel new.’

Having so many people in front of me like this, I couldn’t help but feel a strange feeling welling up in my heart.

‘These people are the relationships I’ve built up until now.’

Everyone is someone I’m grateful for.

People I would never have had the chance to meet in the old days.

But now, they have become *his* people.

Not just in terms of expression, but in reality.

“Hoo.”

Lee Min-ki took a small breath and opened his mouth as if shouting.

“As the representative of the label, I would like to thank everyone who has joined the neutral zone.”