Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 200

200. The Finale

Looking back on my life, I truly lived with diligence.

‘Was there ever a day I regretted?’

I always did my best in every moment. Every breath, every action was full of purpose. At least, that’s how I see it.

Lee Min-ki was now reflecting on his past, facing the end.

‘I wanted to live as an actor, and I did.’

It wasn’t until my mid-20s that I finally started appearing on screen.

Perhaps it was due to a lack of talent compared to others, or maybe just a lack of luck. Recognition for my efforts didn’t come easily.

But even without widespread recognition, Lee Min-ki knew better than anyone else that the days spent striving for what he wanted were incredibly fulfilling.

‘When I filmed my first project, I was so happy I felt like I could fly.’

[Campus Story] was a special project.

Although it was just a minor role, the drama writer, who appreciated my acting, promoted me to a supporting role.

It was the kind of story senior actors would boast about over drinks.

‘Forever Green and Cafe del Dia were also great experiences.’

It marked the beginning of my recognition as an actor.

I was gradually being acknowledged as someone capable of diverse acting, not just an actor with a pretty face.

I learned something new every day, and my value increased exponentially.

Daily Progress.

Moving forward each day, making strides each month. Every day felt like a dream.

‘Fashion & Fashion, I can’t forget it.’

It was a project that introduced me to the joy of art films.

‘The War of All Against All. That project was a jackpot.’

It was my official directorial debut.

The last project where I used my knowledge of the future. Even though it felt like I was leveraging Maiyar Pictures’ skills, I had no regrets.

Because it led to better results.

‘Turns out, a musical genius.’

Needless to say, it was a massive hit.

Was it because I used up too much luck up to that point?

From the next project onward, I experienced a slight decline.

‘Memorandum, I almost retired after filming this.’

It was my unofficial directorial debut.

After using the double standards of environmental groups as material, I was literally hunted and almost gave up my career as a director.

Was the power of environmental groups surprisingly strong? Criticisms poured out in the media, accusing me of irresponsibly manipulating public opinion, and even investors refused to work with me.

But Lee Min-ki always found a way to rise, even when things seemed hopeless.

[Let’s work with us.]

It came from overseas.

Netplay offered to sponsor all of my projects, expressing their full support without any conditions.

Thanks to that, Lee Min-ki was able to go abroad and continue his work without interruption.

Meanwhile, a huge scandal involving an environmental group broke out in Korea.

[Exclusive) CEO of Korea’s largest environmental protection group, Nature Force, received huge bribes from a toxic drug manufacturer for 13 years]

A case emerged where residents of an apartment complex were collectively poisoned.

The investigation revealed that a building material used in the internal construction was linked to a toxic drug manufacturer, and the environmental protection group was involved.

The environmental group, which should have been responsible for auditing, had been turning a blind eye.

At that time, Lee Min-ki was literally re-evaluated because of that incident.

[Come out, you who shielded the environmental protection group]

[Lee Min-ki, he is a moral compass]

[Did he see the future? Did he read the future? Did he read the future?]

[How far ahead did you see! Lee Min-ki!]

[Because he’s a celebrity, he must have seen and heard something. Only we didn’t know]

[LOL ㄹㅇㅋㅋ [Korean slang for ‘real’ and ‘lol’] Didn’t the media join hands and hunt Lee Min-ki because they felt threatened?]

I barely revived at a time when I was considering moving my base to a foreign country and giving up on the Korean market.

‘I felt so sorry to Teacher Ah-sung that I was dying.’

I almost retired after filming my first leading role debut.

A slow smile appeared on Lee Min-ki’s lips as he lay in bed.

“So many things happened after that.”

His eyes are blurry.

When did it start? It’s been a long time since his vision became blurred, and he couldn’t see the world clearly.

The sensation of breath going in and out of his throat and into his lungs is also faint.

But there was one sensation that was clear as if it were piercing.

“Lee Min-ki! Cheer up!”

“Lee Min-ki! Lee Min-ki!”

It was the hearing that allowed him to hear the voices chanting his name from beyond the window.

When did it start?

Even when all his senses were blurred, they were fully supporting his fight against the disease from the outside.

“You have to get up and film more projects.”

“You said you’d release one more next year.”

“I grew my dream of becoming an actor after watching your work, so you’re not going to leave like this.”

Hundreds and thousands of people surrounded the hospital, praying for Lee Min-ki’s recovery.

Beyond the hospital, when you turn your eyes to the world, hundreds and millions of the public were supporting him.

‘I am a happy person.’

His bank account is already overflowing with money. Even more people wanted to contribute to his treatment costs.

It’s not a problem that can be solved by receiving an organ donation. But there were many who would give their lives for him.

There is no one in this world who doesn’t know his face.

It is also rare to find people who have never seen his work.

It is no exaggeration to say that there is no one who is not affected by Lee Min-ki’s influence, who has become a media entity himself, beyond an actor, beyond a director, and beyond a businessman.

Lee Min-ki, he remained in everyone’s heart at some point.

[I pray for the recovery of Director Lee Min-ki.]

[I’m sorry during the broadcast, but I’d like to take a moment to pray together.]

Voices supporting him were everywhere, regardless of news or entertainment.

[Isn’t this marketing? Lee Min-ki is good at marketing.]

[I wish it was marketing. It has to be marketing.]

[Like in the old days, get up from your seat and sweep the awards ceremony.]

The internet world has long been a sea of tears.

And next to him.

“If you’re listening, get up.”

“I brought all the fruits you like. You’re the only one who doesn’t eat them.”

His old acquaintances gathered in the hospital room, looking at him lying on the bed.

The number of industry people Lee Min-ki has been involved with is countless. They have been taking turns guarding his hospital room for a month now.

“Director Nam Gyu-won has also come?”

“Oh my, nice to meet you.”

Most of them recognized each other’s faces but had never engaged in a proper conversation.

However.

“I owe the actor so much.”

That didn’t hinder their conversation.

Because these people, who seemed unconnected at first glance, shared a common ground stronger than anything else in the world.

“Yes, if it weren’t for Min-ki, I would have retired 20 years ago and been running a chicken restaurant.”

“Huhu, now that you mention it, Min-ki even filmed something about a chicken restaurant.”

“New York Chicken Main Store? That was a fun one.”

It was Lee Min-ki.

They were connected by the bridge called Lee Min-ki.

“It’s really tough working with the actor. He’s an angel outside the camera, but once the camera starts rolling, he’s a devil.”

“That’s right. After shedding tears of blood for months.”

“But once you see the completed, edited version, you realize, ‘Ah, that’s why he made us go through all that hardship.'”

As long as the person named Lee Min-ki existed, there was no sense of distance between them.

There’s no hierarchy.

They simply stand on equal footing, sharing the commonality of Lee Min-ki.

It’s not just them.

The world is connected by Lee Min-ki.

[Lee Min-ki memorial events in Europe]

[He’s not dead yet!]

[Why are you killing off a living person…? Tsk]

Across countries.

[I heard that after Lee Min-ki, the position of Asian actors in the American market has greatly increased.]

[Before, there were controversies about using quotas [referring to affirmative action policies], but these days, there’s none of that.]

Beyond race, gender, and occupation, everyone could approach each other with open hearts, using the common topic of Lee Min-ki as a bridge.

Media.

A word derived from the Latin word ‘Medium.’ Medium meant connecting two things in the middle.

Lee Min-ki, true to the etymology, was a being who became the medium for the world.

‘He lived well.’

Lee Min-ki, lying in bed, felt a sense of satisfaction.

His limbs were already stretched out on the bed like dried-up, withered trees. His mouth, which had tirelessly delivered lines throughout his life, no longer had the energy to open.

But if there was one thing that heard his words.

“Huh?”

“Just now, the actor smiled, right?”

His face did.

A small smile appeared on his face, which had made the world laugh and cry.

“Are you seeing things?”

“No, I’m sure he smiled just now.”

“…Still… Coming…”

“…Maybe… Doctor.”

“Bill…”

As his hearing gradually faded for the last time.

Beep-

Lee Min-ki finally departed with a smiling face.

* * *

A person passed away.

But that didn’t mean he completely left everyone’s hearts.

The public who still loved and consumed Lee Min-ki remained in this world.

‘Where is this?’

For Lee Min-ki, there was a second round.

“Excuse me, why are you looking at me like that?”

“Are you conscious?”

“Well, of course.”

He flinched.

Lee Min-ki trembled momentarily.

Come to think of it, his body was listening to him too well.

To the same extent as when his body wasn’t hurting. No, even more so. His whole body followed his instructions as well as it did during his prime.

‘What is this, really?’

Is he really dead?

No, he’s already died before.

At that time, he was in the middle of being judged for his deeds in life, blah blah blah, going into every little detail.

‘This place is more like.’

How should he evaluate this sight?

The sight that was now in Lee Min-ki’s eyes was.

“A studio?”

It was close to a studio.

Inside a space the size of a stadium, all kinds of cameras were placed.

There was also a green screen.

“What is this place?”

Wait, now that he thought about it, the faces of the people waiting for him had familiar aspects.

“John Meyer?”

John Meyer.

If you were to pick the greatest film director in history, he would undoubtedly be in the top three.

This man, also known as the owner of the Academy Awards, John Meyer, was giving Lee Min-ki a satisfied smile.

“You’ve been a long time coming.”

“You’ve been waiting for me? Why would you? More than that, what is this place?”

“My dear fellow.”

A middle-aged man stopped Lee Min-ki’s words and stood him up.

“Such trivial things can be discussed later.”

Then, looking around, he slightly curved his trademark mustache with his finger and said.

“The next project comes first.”

“……”

What nonsense.

What next project.

It’s strange enough that a person died and woke up in a studio in the afterlife, and he feels like he’s about to faint from seeing familiar faces, but they’re talking about movies first.

In this strangely bizarre scene, Lee Min-ki’s choice was this.

“I have an amazing idea.”

Let’s talk about the movie first, and listen to the rest later. Self-introduction is a trivial matter, as the famous director in front of him said.

In fact, he was already itching to do it.

He wanted to act.

[Top Star Through Luck Complete]