Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 40

40

Actor Choi Yoo-chang spoke.

“Isn’t there too much personal feeling in your acting?”

Kim In-kwon’s fine hairs stood on end at the serious remark.

“……!”

The man who only laughed wasn’t laughing.

The person who usually only showed a smile was the scariest at that moment.

That was the power of actor Choi Yoo-chang.

Like a snake whispering in a mouse’s ear, Kim In-kwon, suppressed by Choi Yoo-chang’s aura, held his breath.

“I, I’m not… it’s not like that.”

It was the moment he was trying to utter an excuse.

Thump.

Choi Yoo-chang patted Kim In-kwon’s shoulder and said.

“Just kidding, just kidding.”

Who wouldn’t know it wasn’t a joke?

Kim In-kwon’s shoulder was covered in goosebumps as if a ghost had passed by.

But it wasn’t over.

This time, following Choi Yoo-chang, another person, Director Yeom, approached the frozen Kim In-kwon and said.

“The atmosphere was good, why are you even fighting?”

Director Yeom Gwang-ho said as if mediating.

“When you’re acting, you can give and take from each other. Min-ki, right?”

There was a subtle earnestness in his questioning gaze.

Lee Min-ki hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to push further or concede.

“Yes, I was a little taken aback.”

He chose the best option he could at that moment.

If he got angry, he would see it through to the end.

But at that end, there would also be losses.

“Director, I’m sorry.”

Kim In-kwon’s forehead twitched at that short answer.

Because he read the difference that it was an apology sent to Director Yeom, not to him.

‘This bastard, until the end!’

But before he could respond, Director Yeom Gwang-ho let out a sigh of relief as if relieved and said.

“I’m glad that neither of you got seriously hurt. And In-kwon too. Is that right?”

“……”

“In-kwon.”

“……Yes.”

Kim In-kwon reluctantly nodded.

Director Yeom smiled bitterly inwardly as he watched the scene.

‘You have to do everything in moderation.’

One side excitedly pouring out ad-libs.

In other words, it was the same as allowing the other side to ad-lib as well.

Acting is not one-sided.

It goes both ways, the one throwing and the one receiving. From this point of view, Kim In-kwon’s attitude was clearly self-centered.

And.

The other people on set knew it too.

‘Well, he was going a bit too far.’

‘What, wasn’t it discussed in advance?’

‘I was going to see how far he would go.’

It was proven by Kim In-kwon’s unilateral attitude, unless the atmosphere was good.

That he was crossing the line.

However, this led to Lee Min-ki gaining favor from the other actors on set.

‘Kim In-kwon is quite mischievous, but he handles it so well.’

‘That was all improvisation?’

‘That’s worthy of recognition.’

‘His movements are good. A body made with exercise wasn’t just for show.’

‘Min-ki, fighting!’

‘Our junior is amazing?’

It was the beginning of a reevaluation.

The atmosphere was roughly settled.

Kim In-kwon’s career as an actor was a little higher than Lee Min-ki’s, but that was it.

Standing in front of seasoned actors, he was like a candle in front of a fire.

With a million-dollar actor and director personally stepping in to resolve the situation, it wasn’t a situation to raise his voice and insist.

“Anyway, Min-ki.”

“Yes?”

“I want to say this.”

Director Yeom turned to Lee Min-ki as if he had something left to say.

“I was a little worried because rookies are weak against these ad-libs, but you’re handling unexpected situations very well?”

“Ah, that’s because the martial arts director guided me so well.”

At those words, the corners of the martial arts director’s lips lifted slightly, almost invisibly.

Director Yeom smiled slightly and said.

“Just because you learned the same thing doesn’t mean you can do the same thing. That humble attitude isn’t bad, but I think you can have confidence.”

That was all.

Director Yeom actually thought well of Lee Min-ki.

‘His acting is good, and his cooperation is good too. He seems to have a good head on his shoulders.’

If even he had risen up, his situation would have become difficult.

‘I understand a little why Yoo-chang is protecting him? He’s not like a rookie.’

Overall, it was like this.

It seemed like they were covering it up nicely, but Lee Min-ki clearly gained a lot.

A high evaluation on set.

Something that someone couldn’t dare to get even with a lifetime of effort.

Meanwhile, Kim In-kwon became the person who got angry because his ad-libs weren’t accepted.

‘That’s why the same thing can be different depending on how you say it.’

Director Yeom sighed in the settled situation and said.

“Okay, it seems like you got too excited because you were filming one scene for too long, let’s take a break. Min-ki, you’re done with your part in this scene, so take a break, and In-kwon will film the next scene……”

He was about to say to proceed to the next scene.

“Ugh……”

Kim In-kwon limped on one leg.

“Um, I think my ankle is swollen.”

“Yes? Just a moment.”

At those words, the martial arts director suddenly ran over and immediately rolled up his pants.

The sight that was revealed was shocking.

The ankle was clearly visible.

The whole thing was bruised and swollen like an unripe sweet potato.

The martial arts director, surprised by the obvious serious injury, opened his eyes wide and said.

“Oh my, you need to go to the hospital right away.”

It was the moment when words flowed lightly from the martial arts director’s mouth as if it might be a joke.

“Yes?”

Kim In-kwon’s eyes widened as if they would tear.

“Hospital?”

“Hey, that’s what I said. I told you not to overdo it. First of all, In-kwon, go to the hospital.”

“……”

Kim In-kwon had a blank expression.

“Um, Director, I still have action scenes left.”

“Hey, is your body more important or filming more important? If you have aftereffects, it won’t get better.”

“Then am I supposed to suck my thumb until I get better……”

“If necessary, you have to suck your thumb or your ring finger. Then won’t you suck?”

Eloquent words from the martial arts director who always emphasizes safety like an iron wall.

Director Yeom even joined in, grabbed Kim In-kwon’s shoulder, and said with a serious expression.

“In-kwon, there’s no need to film while risking injury. First, go to the hospital and get treatment, and then we can talk slowly. If you can’t do action scenes, you can try other scenes.”

“Um, Director. I can do it.”

“Thank you. I’ll just take your word for it.”

“Director.”

“There! Bring some ice for a cold compress. Have the staff who brought the car take the actor to the hospital.”

That was the end.

Kim In-kwon, who had his chance to shine cut off in an instant, trembled while sitting in his chair.

‘I can’t appear in action scenes?’

Was there any need to say more?

In fact, the reason why he was outstanding in physical acting but couldn’t escape being unknown was ultimately because his dialogue acting was weak.

What good is action, no matter how outstanding?

Even if it’s an action movie, more than 80% of the scenes are dialogue scenes.

It would be one thing if only his dialogue was weak.

Kim In-kwon was not only weak in dialogue, but also had an unremarkable body and an ordinary face.

What should I say about telling him not to even do action?

‘It’s like telling me to just shrink away.’

It was no different from a death sentence.

A hammer fell from the sky.

As he watched him with a blank expression and his head bowed, Lee Min-ki thought.

‘Safety is important after all.’

No matter how good your acting is, if you get hurt, it will interfere with future filming.

At the moment he deeply reflected on the reason why the martial arts director repeatedly emphasized safety, Director Yeom Gwang-ho shouted.

“Okay, okay, no time to rest. We have to shoot one more scene before sunrise. Do-won, please get ready right away.”

The next scene must be Kang Do-won’s turn.

At the same time as those words, Lee Min-ki took out a pen and notebook from his pocket.

And it was the moment he focused on the set.

“Oh? Min-ki, what is that?”

Joo Ha-na, who had been stepping back, suddenly came up and asked.

“A diary?”

“……It’s not like that. If there’s anything to learn on set, I record it and review it over and over again.”

“Wow, you’re really diligent. Right after finishing a tough scene.”

Lee Min-ki’s favor grew even more in Joo Ha-na’s heart.

Lee Min-ki’s sense of burden too.

The gazes that had been looking at him favorably until just now became sharp again.

‘It’s nice that a pretty person is being friendly, haha…… I don’t even know anymore…….’

* * *

Joo Ha-na.

A rookie actress, but a female actress who is raising her stock with her clear visuals and polite behavior.

What should I say to summarize her personality in one word?

[Ha-na has always been the class president since elementary school.]

Class president.

Yes, she was a class president type.

[You didn’t bring your textbook? I’ll show you mine!]

[If this problem is difficult, shall I teach you?]

[I made a study group with the kids, let’s study together on the weekend.]

Multiply the fun and divide the sad things.

She was friendly to everyone and enjoyed forming groups wherever she went.

Thanks to her innate goodness, she didn’t even know how to hurt others.

She could be said to have spent a model school life in all aspects, from studying to relationships to filial piety.

But.

Was it because she tried to be too good to everyone?

Sometimes she suffered from unnecessary jealousy and controversy.

[Weren’t you supposed to like me?]

[Are you dating her?]

Unintentionally spreading rumors.

[I hate her.]

[Did you see her flirting with the guys?]

[She pretends to be nice, but the end of those fake kids is always the same.]

[I heard she got plastic surgery after graduating high school? She spent over ten million won.]

She also aroused jealousy.

But she didn’t stop her usual behavior despite the various controversies.

Because she had a strong belief.

A firm belief that there was nothing wrong with her own actions.

In fact, that was true.

She lived a life without shame, and somehow debuted as an actress through street casting last year.

She appeared as a witness in [Always Green] and raised her stock even more.

She slowly started to enjoy acting.

“Hehehe.”

It was while she was lying on the sofa with a white pack on her face.

“Ha-na, you’ve been laughing a lot lately?”

At the words from the kitchen, Joo Ha-na turned her head and said.

“Oh? Really?”

“You’ve always laughed well, but these days you’re in full bloom. You, you, you, you’re just having fun living alone.”

Ha-na’s sister, Doo-na, came over and flopped down on the empty spot on the sofa and said.

“Don’t tell me you have a boyfriend?”

“What boyfriend do I have? I don’t raise those.”

“Why? You’re an actress. There must be a lot of handsome people when you go to the set.”

“There are a lot.”

Ha-na chuckled at Doo-na’s words and said.

“But sister, do I have to date everyone who’s handsome?”

“Didn’t you know? That’s what everyone does at your age.”

“What’s wrong with my age?”

“Eight times three plus one.”

“……What, I don’t have any thoughts for the time being.”

“Again, you’re lying again.”

“It’s true.”

It wasn’t just a roundabout way of saying it.

It was sincere.

She was too diligent, so she originally didn’t have much interest in dating.

Because dating someone else meant that she had to spend that much time outside of work and study.

She was planning to put off dating until she was socially established.

And another reason.

“It’s a big deal if an actress is caught dating, right?”

There was also a job issue.

Originally, the public is especially sensitive to female actors’ scandals.

Doo-na chuckled at her grumbling and picked up the bag of potato chips on the sofa and said.

“But just tell your sister. There must be one person you’re interested in.”

“There isn’t.”

“Really? Then a good person.”

“A good person……”

At those words, Joo Ha-na frowned and fell into thought.

Honestly, there were a lot of handsome people.

But most of the young actors were unremarkable.

Most of the people who had something to learn were too old.

‘Actor Choi Yoo-chang? Actor Kang Do-won? They’re both over 40.’

Moreover, being respectable as an actor was a different category from being cool as a man.

It was while she was worrying like that.

‘Ah.’

Joo Ha-na’s thoughts reached one person.

‘There is someone, someone to learn from. Actor Lee Min-ki.’

It was Lee Min-ki.

A face that stimulates not only women’s hearts but also their desire to serve, a solid body, and good acting skills.

Even with just these three, there was nothing to criticize as a rookie actor, but there was something that made him shine even more.

‘He’s very humble.’

It was his personality.

He smiles brightly wherever he goes, and he’s willing to learn anything if there’s something to learn.

He also knew how to be considerate, no matter who the other person was.

‘Min-ki must be popular?’

He looks like he’d be popular at first glance.

First of all, he’s friendly to everyone.

Not just anyone can have that kind of personality. He must have grown up loved and well-off.

In fact, it was the opposite.

He grew up being pushed around and hit wherever he went because of his innate misfortune.

Being friendly to others was a matter of personality, but more than that, the world was his enemy.

It was closer to a self-defense mechanism that arose because he had lived a life where he was buried even if there was a slight flaw in his relationships.

‘I need to learn a relationship like Min-ki’s.’

It was while she was swimming in delusion for a long time.

Doo-na laughed and slapped her shoulder.

“You have someone?”

“Huh?”

“I just said it, but do you really have someone?”

“I don’t.”

“You do.”

“Give me the potato chips.”

“I don’t want to.”

That’s how Joo Ha-na’s day off flowed by rolling around in her room.

* * *

A week later.

The conclusion of the small commotion that took place on set came out. This situation led to a truly worst-case scenario.

So.

“I haven’t seen senior In-kwon lately.”

About Kim In-kwon.

“That person was replaced.”

In the form of him being completely replaced on set.

“Replaced?”

At Lee Min-ki’s surprised voice, Choi Yoo-chang chuckled and said.

“I heard he went to the hospital and it was a ligament problem? It’s quite severe, so it’ll take at least 6 weeks to heal. But he said that strenuous exercise could take even longer.”

“Then what about filming?”

“I told you. He was replaced.”

Actor Choi Yoo-chang took a puff of his cigarette and said.

“There are still a lot of scenes left to come out, but frankly, we can’t wait for one supporting actor. How tight is the schedule? And there are many people to replace him.”

It meant he was fired.

And that too, because of one injury.

It was a chilling thing.

Although he was a supporting actor, he must have joined after shedding blood and sweat.

All that effort was ruined by one ankle injury.

‘I feel sorry for him, but he’s not someone to feel sorry for.’

If Kim In-kwon was a more established actor, they would have waited or revised the script.

But he was just a supporting actor.

There was no obligation to adjust the filming schedule for that one person in a set that runs as delicately as a cogwheel.

“Then I’m going to film my next scene. See you later. Oh, and pretend you don’t know about In-kwon. I heard they’re going to reshoot later.”

“Ah, yes! Thank you.”

“Oh, I’m so glad that you always have those words of gratitude on your lips.”

Choi Yoo-chang chuckled and disappeared over there.

Meanwhile, Lee Min-ki, left alone in the alley, looked at the empty air and sighed, thinking.

‘That’s how things turn out.’

It’s a chilling thing.

He saw this movie in the future, and he also knew that Kim In-kwon would appear.

And yet, he got caught up in a dispute that shouldn’t have happened in the first place and disappeared.

‘It’s not time to be relieved that it’s someone else’s problem. It’s something that could happen to me too.’

It’s best to be careful to avoid disputes in relationships, no matter who the other person is.

Because it’s a small industry.

It was at that moment that he thought so.

‘Who is that person?’

One person with a camera, one very suspicious person, was seen far away.

So, someone who had never been seen on set before.

With very suspicious steps, he was holding a camera towards somewhere far away.