Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 48

48

The typical routine for actors goes something like this:

When filming a project, they dedicate themselves entirely to that project.

From the moment filming begins, every action of the actor is geared towards the successful completion of the project.

But what happens after filming wraps and the release is over?

[Time to cash in.]

[Making money.]

[Recouping the investment.]

This is the reality of an actor’s career.

Or rather, the start of their modeling career.

[Few actors can live solely on movie appearance fees. Instead, they raise their profile through movies and then capitalize on that with commercials. This is also why actors tend to limit the number of projects they take on.]

This is the inside scoop on actors who often focus primarily on modeling.

Once an image is established in a movie, it tends to stick for several years.

So, unless they have a strong desire to act, they might release only one project every few years, dedicating the rest of their time to modeling.

Of course, this is a personal choice.

“Hmm.”

Lee Minki was preoccupied with a different concern.

Park Hanmo, his manager, laid out documents in front of him, scratching his chin with a hesitant look.

“Few companies are keen on using rookie actors as models. Why do you think that is?”

“Because they lack a defined image?”

“Exactly.”

Park Hanmo continued, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

“An actor’s image is like a brand that a company builds over years. In that sense, you’re a blank slate.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Yes, it’s so blank that it makes landing a good job difficult.”

“……”

Was that supposed to be a joke?

Just as Lee Minki’s patience was wearing thin, Park Hanmo smiled and said,

“To be blunt, your name recognition isn’t quite where it needs to be yet.”

If it was about recognition, there wasn’t much he could do.

Lee Minki sighed at the overly honest words and replied,

“That must be why I’m struggling to find work.”

That was the truth.

Lee Minki was currently unable to secure any worthwhile advertising deals.

‘Was it always this hard to get a decent advertising gig?’

He had assumed that after filming a moderately successful movie, companies would be lining up to hire him.

But contrary to his expectations, such companies were few and far between.

Of course, there were smaller companies.

It’s just that none of the offers were appealing enough to justify the potential image consumption.

Park Hanmo, standing before Lee Minki, continued.

“Besides, your recent work was a thriller, which makes things even harder.”

“Is a thriller a problem?”

“Thrillers often are. They don’t usually translate well to advertising. Even if your recognition has increased, there’s still the question of whether that’s the right image for an advertising model.”

He spoke as if throwing a dart at a board.

“You can’t exactly entrust an insurance ad to someone who was brutally murdered. The same goes for food commercials, um, and apartment ads.”

“……”

His words hit home.

Lee Minki cleared his throat and said,

“What about a fashion model? I thought there was some buzz about me in the fashion industry recently.”

“It’s not much different there. There are too many alternatives. Honestly, there are far too many.”

That field was a red ocean [a cutthroat, oversaturated market].

“Besides, you’re already working with a shopping mall, right? It would be best to focus on that for the time being when it comes to fashion.”

He had a point.

Things had been in full swing recently.

But Lee Minki asked again, just in case.

“Then, can’t I just take any suitable offer for now?”

“Advertising is all about image. There’s a reason why you wouldn’t appear in a loan shark ad no matter how much money they offered.”

“Ugh.”

“There’s a saying: Rookie actors shouldn’t be picky about roles, but they should be picky about commercials.”

“……Once a perception is wrongly set, it’s over.”

“Yes, there are people who did a children’s product ad and never overcame it, ending up switching to being a children’s specialty model.”

He had a rebuttal for everything.

Lee Minki felt like he was going to become mute.

But for some reason, he sensed that Park Hanmo was teasing him.

It was like that thing where you lower expectations as much as possible before giving a birthday present.

‘In the first place, JC is also a company famous for advertising.’

Why else would the agency be an agency?

They must have been sending his profile around, looking for a good opportunity.

Surely one of them would have been successful?

It was at that moment, when he felt a glimmer of hope.

“But fortunately, we managed to find a job that fits you just right.”

As expected.

It was just as he thought.

“Really? A real job, not teasing.”

Park Hanmo smiled at Lee Minki’s voice, which was filled with excitement.

Then, he dropped the bomb.

“It’s a supplement advertisement.”

“Yes?”

Despite the encouraging words, Lee Minki froze, and Park Hanmo got up from his seat and began pacing around the office as he continued to speak.

“The pay is good, and the company is showing a lot of enthusiasm for you.”

“Wait a minute. When you say supplement, do you mean something like vitamins?”

“No. It’s a supplement that perfectly matches your image.”

“……Protein?”

“You’re quick as always.”

Lee Minki squeezed his eyes shut.

A protein supplement advertisement.

Well, he had a hunch the moment he heard the word supplement.

He had filmed a nude scene in the movie, and it had generated quite a buzz.

But to think it was actually a protein supplement.

Anyway, it was a job.

He was grateful.

But what worried him more than that was.

‘It feels like there’s a bit too much exposure involved.’

Should a rookie actor be relying on exposure already?

It was always a double-edged sword. If used sparingly and only when necessary, it could be incredibly effective, but overuse could backfire.

‘It might not ruin my image, but it could become too fixed.’

A healthy image was good.

But as the saying goes, once you become a sexy actor, you’ll only ever be a sexy actor.

It was because the impression was too strong.

‘But I can’t just sit around until I shoot the next project.’

There were many pros and cons to consider.

He was weighing his options and worrying.

“Besides, the company is pretty reputable.”

A decisive clue came from Park Hanmo’s mouth.

“It’s a product from a company called Han Kyeong Pharmaceutical, and the product name is Real Protein, I believe?”

“Yes?”

“It doesn’t seem like a very famous product, but it’s well-regarded.”

Real Protein.

It was a product that anyone interested in fitness couldn’t help but know.

‘This is what Director Kwon Junyong recommended.’

He had heard the brand from Director Kwon Junyong.

[I usually prefer imported products. That’s what most people who lift weights in Korea do. But this one is a little different.]

[Real Protein?]

[Yeah, if you only look at the quality of the product, it surpasses most imported brands. The price is also good. In fact, if you’re exercising as a hobby, you should know that there’s nothing quite like it. But it doesn’t sell well.]

[Why?]

[The marketing team is terrible at their job.]

That’s what Director Kwon Junyong had said.

That Kwon Junyong, who meticulously counted protein in 1g units.

This was the product that he spoke highly of, a man who ridiculed most domestic supplements, saying that people were essentially buying flour at an inflated price.

Real Protein.

[Hahaha, who knows? If Minki promotes it later, it might become a hit.]

[But why don’t you use it, Director?]

[Because it gives me watery stools.]

[Ah.]

That’s what he had said.

At least he could trust Director Kwon Junyong’s recommendation.

“Of course, the choice is yours.”

Park Hanmo calmly continued, placing Lee Minki at a crossroads.

“I think it’s a product that suits you in many ways, but if you’re uncomfortable with the exposure, you can refuse. JC also doesn’t unconditionally recommend it……”

It was at that moment.

“No, I’ll do it.”

Lee Minki, who had already made up his mind, said with shining eyes.

“I want to do it.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“It’s hard to explain, but I have a feeling. I think it will definitely be beneficial if I do it.”

Park Hanmo was about to question the sudden change of heart, but Lee Minki spoke in an even firmer voice.

“I wanted to shoot a supplement commercial anyway.”

“Ah, you’re very interested in exercise, right?”

“That’s a big part of it.”

It was the moment he convinced himself.

Lee Minki cleared his throat as if the momentum was a lie and said.

“If it’s a supplement commercial, I’ll have to take off my clothes, right?”

“Hmm, I think I know what you’re worried about. It’s because your body isn’t fully built yet, or something like that.”

“Ahem.”

He was spot-on.

Park Hanmo smiled as Lee Minki tried to clear his throat and continued.

“But you don’t have to worry too much. After all, they must have investigated and applied for it. Wouldn’t they do that much while spending their own money? We will also do our best to coordinate.”

“That’s a relief, but.”

“But for the time being, I hope you will focus on exercising rather than other activities.”

He raised his arm as if to highlight his biceps and said again.

“Because it’s a health commercial.”

* * *

Lee Minki’s first major advertisement was for a protein supplement.

Thus, Lee Minki had a task.

Right away.

“Can I get intensive care for the time being?”

It was to focus on exercising at [the gym near his house].

At that request, Director Kwon Junyong muttered in an unusually happy voice.

“The time has finally come for you, member.”

His face was so bright that his mouth was about to tear.

“……”

Something was ominous.

Lee Minki’s fine hairs stood on end, alerting him to the danger.

Director Kwon Junyong was a competent trainer, but his competence was especially evident in inflicting pain on others.

[Minki, it hurts, right? Tell me if you can’t lift it anymore.]

[Director, I, I, can’t lift it anymore…….]

[Judging by your voice, it would be perfect if you do two more sets.]

[I can’t do it?]

[You can do three sets.]

He was a strange person.

You could say that he instinctively knew how far he could push others to their limits.

Director Kwon Junyong, a stranger, knew the limits that even the person lifting the weights didn’t know.

‘Can’t he see something like a system in his eyes?’

For example, something like this.

[Member: Lee Minki]

-Body Measurement-

[Height: 178cm]

[Weight: 67kg]

[Skeletal Muscle Mass: 35kg] [Body Fat Mass: 6.3kg]

[Body Water 44kg]

-Special Notes-

Definition is good, but volume is generally lacking.

Excellent diet control ability.

-Overall Review-

Grade: Weak

Let’s just imagine it became a little terrible.

But from Director Kwon Junyong’s point of view, Lee Minki was a windfall.

‘The number of members is slowly increasing.’

He was currently reaping the rewards for the close management he had provided to Lee Minki without any additional compensation.

The number of members had increased slightly.

Mostly female members.

As the number of female members increased, the number of male members naturally increased.

‘If I create just one opportunity here, a business jackpot is not a dream. No, I’m going to enjoy franchising up to the 11th gym near my house.’

His gaze towards Lee Minki was tinged with gold.

Like looking at money, not people.

Lee Minki, as a living being, instinctively sensed fear and took a step back.

‘Why is this happening? I wasn’t this nervous even when I was about to die.’

It was at that moment.

Director Kwon Junyong, who had been smiling ominously with his arms crossed, slowly opened his mouth.

“Let’s take a BAP once.”

“BAP?”

“Yeah, a body profile [a professional photoshoot showcasing one’s physique].”

A body profile.

It meant a photo taken focusing on the body.

A photo that required drastically reducing body fat, not just increasing muscle volume.

“It’s been over half a year since you’ve been going to our gym, right?”

“I’ve been coming since the middle of last year, so it’s been about that long?”

“That’s right. Even a dog at a private school recites poetry after 3 years, and a half-year-old health newbie should take a BAP once.”

“……”

What kind of sophistry is this?

What does a dog at a private school have to do with a health newbie?

Don’t tell me you’re not even going to treat a beginner in health like a dog.

All sorts of questions flashed through Lee Minki’s head, but Director Kwon Junyong continued without paying attention.

“Minki, it’s almost summer. Right?”

“Yes, it’s summer.”

“Since ancient times, summer has been the season of exposure, and the season of exposure is the season of BAP.”

He spoke with an expression that was more than serious.

“Minki, how about taking a cool BAP this summer and hitting the jackpot with commercials?”

If you only considered the offer itself, there was nothing bad about it.

Since he had to build his body anyway because of the supplement commercial, if he took a body profile at the same time, he would see a lot of promotional benefits.

Since it’s summer, if he did well, he might get more related jobs.

But the problem was still fear.

A feeling that the moment he accepted, he would be chewing and swallowing something that should be called feed rather than rice and only lifting steel.

‘It’s something I have to do, but why am I so scared?’

While Lee Minki was flinching, Director Kwon Junyong nodded and said.

“Let’s start tomorrow. But I’ll give you a break on the weekends, so 5 days a week.”

“Um, I don’t have money.”

“Minki, what money are you talking about between us? Just come with your body. I can even take care of all the meals.”

“……”

“Let’s only eat sweet potatoes and chicken breasts from tomorrow. Four meals a day.”

“……”

“Oh, and come to exercise twice a day from tomorrow.”

Is this what it feels like to put your head in a tiger’s mouth?

But.

Lee Minki had no choice.

* * *

[Today’s Diary]

I started studying with Minki again.

He must have a lot of time these days.

[Today’s Diary]

I met Minki after a long time. He looked a little haggard.

Why did that healthy person become like that?

[Today’s Diary]

I can’t feel the vitality in his face. I told him to go eat pork belly [samgyeopsal], but he refused.

[Today’s Diary]

I finally found out why.

He said he’s going to take a body profile.

He said he’s only been eating sweet potatoes and chicken breasts for a week.

Seona and I cheered him on together.

[Today’s Diary]

He’s tired of chicken breasts and found other chicken breasts. He said there are various chicken breast products these days.

I got product recommendations.

Steamed chicken breast, steamed pepper chicken breast, chicken breast ball, chicken breast cube, chicken breast dumpling, chicken breast snack, chicken breast sausage, chicken breast steak, chicken breast jerky…….

I was going to order it when I got home, but I decided not to eat it because it was not delicious.

[Today’s Diary]

Minki is finally going to take a body profile tomorrow.

I hope it goes well.

I learned a lot from watching him work hard to exercise.

It seems like there is no easy job in the world.

Minki is amazing. I respect him.

How could he work so hard just to shoot one commercial?

I’m going to order pizza later.

I like pepperoni with extra tomato sauce and baked crispy.

* * *

The next day.

‘Kim Tak, that person, how could he order pizza in front of someone who is taking a body profile?’

I thought it was a joke, but he really ordered it.

Is that a human being?

How could he do that?

I thought he had become a human from an animal these days, but the roots still don’t change.

The dog at the private school developed into a dog who drinks and sleeps on the street in front of Sadang Station after 3 years.

‘I’ll get revenge someday.’

Lee Minki stood in front of a studio, chewing on anger and resentment.

Studio Muscle, a body profile specialty studio introduced by Director Kwon Junyong of [the gym near his house].

‘Finally, the day of the decisive battle.’

He clenched his fist.