If I Don’t Earn 1 Trillion Won, My Regression Ends - Chapter 82

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 82

“Right. Today it might sound like praise. Then how about this?”

Let me give you a heads up about some things that will happen in the future.

Geum Ju-ran lowered her tone secretively and spoke slowly.

“A child genius crushed Bae Seo-nyeok. A young junior overwhelmed their senior. Did you hear? The kid is so strong-willed that it’s hard for the other actor to react. They don’t even match their acting tone because they want to stand out alone. Already picking fights with seniors without knowing their place – what a personality disaster. Can’t use them.”

What?

I stared at Geum Ju-ran in shock, dumbfounded.

Geum Ju-ran chuckled softly, as if she hadn’t said anything significant.

“I exaggerated a bit to wake you up, but this is reality. This is how rumors spread in this industry, kid.”

“Ah…”

“When people start talking, there’s no sense of proportion and emotions get mixed in. Jealousy, contempt, wariness, inferiority complex, schadenfreude, and so on…”

“…”

“It would have been different if you had a manager. While you’re acting hard in front, they would have been appeasing people behind the scenes, blocking bad noise and making good rumors spread more.”

Geum Ju-ran tilted her head.

“Tell me. Do you still think you don’t need a company?”

“…”

I just stared up at Geum Ju-ran blankly with my mouth open. My head felt numb.

In that silence, our gazes met from above and below.

But there was no malice in Geum Ju-ran’s eyes looking at me.

They were clear and clean, even looking somewhat affectionate…

‘…Could she be giving me advice out of concern?’

As soon as this thought occurred to me, my loser instincts kicked in and my eyes immediately started to well up.

I really didn’t want to!

But hadn’t my heart already been pounding with fear while Geum Ju-ran was speaking?!

I tried to endure it stubbornly like a tough kid, but I couldn’t stop the walnut-sized lump from forming in my throat.

Seeing my pitiful state, Geum Ju-ran watched for a moment before bursting into laughter as if she couldn’t stand it.

“Getting scared! Oh my. Hahaha.”

“Teacher… *sniff*… scary, so scary…”

“I just wanted to tell you that an actor can’t survive and stand alone.”

Geum Ju-ran’s gaze, after tapping my sniffling nose, turned toward the sea.

“To survive in this industry as an actor, especially as a female actor, every single step is on the edge of a cliff. Be careful, be wary, and never let them catch your weaknesses.”

“…”

“Even if you don’t understand right now, remember these words. The sooner you realize this, the better. I’m telling you this because I like your eyes.”

Tomorrow is our first shoot, right?

Let’s do well. Oh, and find a company as soon as possible.

After leaving a few more words, Geum Ju-ran left first.

Watching her retreating figure, I recalled the image of Geum Ju-ran I had seen in the future.

She was an actor who remained consistently in the public eye until her black hair turned half-white and then completely gray.

Even if she didn’t enjoy explosive popularity like flashy stars, she was loved steadily and quietly without ever being forgotten.

Young actresses would burst into tears at award ceremonies saying they were grateful to senior Geum Ju-ran.

I think I understand the reason now.

Geum Ju-ran was truly a kind person.

“Sing-a~ Daughter! Look outside quickly! We’re almost there!”

“Okay!”

I went down to the deck at Father’s gesture.

Hot sunlight, the salty sea smell mixed with acrid diesel engine fumes.

The sea that came into view was no longer just blue, but a deep blue color as if the essence of lapis lazuli had been squeezed out. Whipped cream-like wave foam broke white.

“Look at the weather and sea color. Wow, the scenery is killer~ We should take a picture at times like this! Sing-sing! Signorina! Bellina~! Quickly, look at me!”

The rough sea breeze tousled my short-cut hair.

‘Bellina’ means pretty girl in Italian. It was the nickname the local staff called me.

When I turned around at that playful call, Haemun was filming me with a Sony camcorder in his hand.

I had gotten quite used to cameras and tried to act as innocent as possible, but failed because Haemun’s expression was so ridiculous.

In front of me giggling, Haemun put away the camera with a satisfied expression.

The port was getting closer behind us.

The white boats in the open port, the pastel-toned buildings stretching long along the coastline…

People on deck exclaimed in admiration. So did I.

The jewel of the Mediterranean Sea, Capri Island.

It truly lived up to its reputation.

[You have gained precious insight from an unexpected connection.]

[Luck increases.]

[Luck: 47 (▲2)]

♧

The resort loved by Roman emperors, the most beautiful island in Italy.

It is said that Capri has no sad weather.

At a time when all of Italy was boiling in unprecedented heat waves, Capri was leisurely, refreshingly, and comfortably pleasant, living up to its reputation.

“Wow~ I feel alive. There’s no other earthly paradise. Representative Noh. How on earth did you get filming permission here?”

“Would it be my skill? It’s the grace of our investor.”

As of 2003, Capri is the most expensive and exclusive island in Europe.

It’s famous for not easily granting permits even to Hollywood blockbusters, so Representative Noh Man-yeong had no expectations even when coming to southern Italy.

But who would have thought the investor side would make the first proposal.

“Is it that Nut With Invest again?”

“Of course. Do you think there’s a company in our country that can get permits from Capri City Hall and the Port Authority? It’s only possible because it’s a foreign company with money rotting away.”

“But why is such a wealthy place pushing us so hard?”

“I don’t know. I’m too scared to ask in case they say they’ll withdraw their investment. For now, I’m just closing my eyes and using it.”

At Noh Man-yeong’s whisper, Haemun muttered seriously.

“Could it be that they’re already starting to see the light of Cannes in me?”

“…”

There are probably few directors in the world as confident as that.

Representative Noh and the staff habitually ignored him and passed by.

At the bus stop in front of Capri Port, crowds of tourists wanting to disembark and move were bustling.

Capri Island is small and many places prohibit vehicle entry, so there was no chartering large buses as usual.

Filming equipment was sent by special cargo cart or stored in port warehouses, and actors and staff took taxis.

But no one expected an incident to occur in this seemingly simple task.

“Hey, lady! You should speak properly! I caught it first but you shamelessly got in.”

“[What is this person saying? Move aside.]”

“Hey! Don’t pretend you can’t speak Korean! I clearly heard you say ‘shit’ earlier! Do you think a fellow Korean wouldn’t recognize that crisp double consonant sound? Wake up! My genes are reacting!”

One taxi. Two people grabbing the handle.

Seo Shin-hyeon and an Asian woman elegantly wearing a scarf and Boeing sunglasses were in fierce confrontation.

She apparently never thought Seo Shin-hyeon wouldn’t let go of the handle even after she got in the car. Her face was burning red.

“[Isn’t this person crazy? First come, first served! Let go of the door right now! Before I call the police!]”

“You cursed, didn’t you? You just cursed, didn’t you? Lady! Do you think I can’t understand English? Fuck you! Coming all the way to a foreign land and giving this kind of humiliation to a fellow Korean compatriot?! People like you are called ugly Koreans. You! Ugly Korean! Get out right now. I need to take my daughter!”

“What?! Ugly? This pale-faced bastard dares to call someone ugly?”

“Oh oh! Now your true colors are showing, get out! Your Korean is really fluent!”

“…”

The confrontation between two proud ugly Koreans drew attention in front of the port. The Italian taxi driver was chuckling, and foreign tourists were pointing and whispering.

And caught between those two middle-aged people, displayed like sacks of barley, were two siblings.

Holding her younger sibling’s hand, Seo Shin-hyeon’s daughter Seosing-a thought wistfully.

‘This luck stat is bullshit. Shit…’

Beside her, Seo Shin-hyeon’s son Seo Cheong-song also muttered.

“See, I told you we should’ve dropped out earlier.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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