NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 107

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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 107. Exclusive Story

Seo Ji-eun bought three scarves with clean designs as gifts, set aside one to give to Director Park Chan-hong, and gave the rest as presents to the bodyguards.

 

“Please give these to your girlfriends or wives. Thank you for letting us tour comfortably today!”

“Ah, we can’t accept things like this.”

“No way! In Korea, we have something called affection, so you absolutely must accept them. In Korean culture, it’s rude not to accept!”

 

Seo Ji-eun’s small, white hands grabbed the rough bodyguards’ hands and forcibly hung red flower-patterned gift bags on their wrists.

 

“Ahem, thank you.”

 

The bodyguards who reluctantly accepted looked at the cute gift bags hanging on their wrists and smiled sheepishly while scratching the back of their short hair.

 

And on the way back to the hotel after finishing the Berlin tour.

 

“What kind of rule is that?”

“Anyway, this spot is one our newspaper company has always used, so move.”

 

Yeon-woo and his group heard raised voices and looked in that direction.

A group of Asians and what appeared to be German media personnel were confronting each other.

 

And then Korean could be heard.

 

“Director Im. We’ve been waiting here for hours to get a good spot, and now that it’s time, you come and tell us to move. What kind of situation is this?”

“Exactly. Then why aren’t you saying anything to the British media next to us? Those people have been waiting and holding their spots since lunch just like us.”

 

It seemed they were having a dispute over spots in the photo press section set up in front of the theater to photograph directors and actors attending the film festival.

 

A flustered-looking camera director, reporter, and other Korean press crew members could be seen.

 

‘Hmm, I thought this kind of thing had mostly disappeared these days.’

 

Yeon-woo shook his head while watching the scene.

Even in his previous life, he had attended many film festivals, but there was no such thing as fixed seats in the press section.

 

It just seemed like the German media had arrived late for coverage and were bullying the Asian newspaper company that looked easy to push around.

 

Of course, it was a very small minority, but racial discrimination existed everywhere.

 

Seeing this, Yeon-woo spoke to Seo Ji-eun, who was walking with him toward the hotel.

 

“Should we take a few photos?”

“Huh? Photos all of a sudden?”

“I just saw what happened over there…”

 

Then he explained the situation he had just witnessed.

Seo Ji-eun nodded and smiled happily.

 

“Okay. Sounds good!”

“Then Min-su hyung. Should we ask that media company over there if they’d like to interview us?”

 

Kim Min-su, who had heard the whole conversation, grinned and nodded, heading toward the press section.

 

Jung Yu-jin, a reporter from Hansae Daily, whose face had turned red with indignation and whose eyes were welling up with tears from the treatment that could have been territorial behavior or racial discrimination, was puzzled when a Korean man suddenly approached asking if she wanted to do an interview.

 

“Yes? What kind of interview are you talking about…”

 

Jung Yu-jin was speaking when she looked in the direction the man pointed and gasped.

 

“Oh my, Jay and Nari…?”

 

In the direction she looked, Ryu Yeon-woo and Seo Ji-eun were waving at Jung Yu-jin from between the large bodyguards.

 

Since Jung Yu-jin had watched “Sketch” just yesterday and cried her eyes out, the movie character names Jay and Nari came out of her mouth before Ryu Yeon-woo and Seo Ji-eun’s real names.

 

The camera crew was equally surprised.

 

Just as they were hesitating about whether to move their position to the side due to the unreasonable territorial behavior of the foreign media, they quickly organized their equipment at this exclusive opportunity.

 

“Are you really giving us an interview opportunity? Thank you. Thank you so much.”

 

The Hansae Daily crew bowed and quickly left their spot.

 

‘We came to Berlin solely because of “Sketch” in the first place, so what’s the point of taking side shots of foreign actors here. This is a jackpot!’

 

The foreign reporters who had been puzzled watching the Korean journalists quickly pack up their equipment and leave the press section finally realized that the people waving in the distance were the lead actors from “Sketch,” which had its invitation screening yesterday, and hurriedly approached.

 

“Sketch” had been absolutely outstanding among the invitation films screened yesterday.

 

Nevertheless, because of the director’s request, they hadn’t held a separate photo call or press conference, so getting an interview would definitely be an exclusive.

 

So several reporters left the press section and quickly approached, but massive bodyguards came out and blocked them in advance.

 

“We only plan to conduct pre-scheduled interviews.”

“What are you talking about! Then are you saying those people had interview plans arranged in advance?”

 

Where the reporter was pointing, the Korean press crew was preparing to move to the reception hall of the hotel where the “Sketch” team was staying for the interview.

Looking at their surprised faces, it was clear this was definitely not a pre-planned schedule.

 

But the bodyguard nodded with a poker face and answered.

 

“That’s right. It’s a scheduled interview.”

“Ha, is this taking care of your own people? Anyway, these Asians. In their small world, they just stick together among themselves. This isn’t even racial discrimination, what is this.”

 

The bodyguard who had been silently listening while restraining the reporters looked at the reporter in front of him with cold eyes and spoke.

 

“You should be ashamed. The fact that there are people like you among German citizens is already testing my patience enough just by tolerating it.”

 

Faced with the massive figure growling while shooting out menacing glares, all the reporter could do was turn around and leave.

 

 

“Thank you so much. I’m Jung Yu-jin, a reporter from Hansae Daily.”

 

Jung Yu-jin fumbled through her wallet to pull out her business card and handed it over while bowing as they walked toward the hotel.

Yeon-woo and Seo Ji-eun accepted the business cards.

Yeon-woo looked at the business card, nodded, and spoke.

 

“Reporter Jung Yu-jin… you’re the reporter who wrote that column comparing 「Master Plan」 to food, right?”

 

Reporter Jeong was surprised by Yeon-woo’s words and nodded.

 

“Yes, yes! That’s right. I’m amazed you read it, but to remember my name too…”

 

Yeon-woo smiled warmly as he watched Reporter Jeong’s eyes well up with tears again.

 

“I remember it because you expressed it so interestingly. Director Park Chan-hong probably saw it too.”

“Oh… Amazing.”

 

Yeon-woo and his group, who had returned to the hotel with the press crew, conducted a brief interview in the hotel’s reception hall that the press crew had arranged in advance.

 

“Before the interview, please don’t worry about parts related to the movie content as there will be an embargo until the domestic release, so please feel free to interview.”

 

An embargo refers to temporarily halting the reporting of certain articles until a specific time.

 

It meant they wouldn’t release articles that could be spoilers since Director Park Chan-hong and LN Entertainment were coordinating the release date with distributors.

 

“Yes, understood.”

 

Yeon-woo and Seo Ji-eun nodded.

Reporter Jung Yu-jin signaled to the camera director and started the interview.

 

“Yes. We have the two people we’ve brought here with difficulty. The two protagonists of 「Sketch」, actor Ryu Yeon-woo and actress Seo Ji-eun.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Hello!”

 

Yeon-woo and Seo Ji-eun smiled and bowed in greeting.

 

“First, thank you so much for readily agreeing to this interview. I and countless movie fans in Korea must have been surprised by the sudden news of the Berlin Film Festival invitation. When did you start preparing 「Sketch」?”

“We haven’t been preparing for as long as you might think. We started filming after finishing the historical drama that ended last fall on KBC, so it’s been about six months.”

 

Seo Ji-eun nodded at Yeon-woo’s words.

Reporter Jung Yu-jin continued with another question while watching the two.

 

“Actually, there was no press conference, and I didn’t know I’d have a chance for an interview like this, so I don’t have a question sheet, but since I watched the movie yesterday and was truly moved to tears, I have a mountain of questions to ask as a fan!”

 

When producing commercial films domestically, it’s customary to hold meetings in the form of ‘production announcements’ or ‘reports’ by inviting media and fans.

 

When foreign films come to Korea or conversely when our films go overseas, they’re usually introduced through press conferences, but this time they simply replaced it with a GV (Guest Visit) attending only the screening day.

 

Recognizing this point, Yeon-woo nodded and answered.

 

“This film was produced purely as an independent film, and the schedule was tight just to complete the work for the film festival invitation, so we also regret not having opportunities to meet with fans.”

 

Nodding at Yeon-woo’s clean answer, this time she smiled and looked at Seo Ji-eun.

 

“I’m curious about the casting story behind 「Sketch」. I also cried buckets yesterday watching your acting that fit your roles so perfectly.”

“Really? I cried too after the movie ended. I was crying so hard and got caught on screen, I was so embarrassed. Hehe.”

 

Seo Ji-eun continued with a cute laugh.

 

“For this movie, I was resting at home after the historical drama ended, and Ryu Yeon-woo called me directly. He asked if I’d be interested in this story and role, and I said yes immediately without even thinking about it.”

“Actor Ryu Yeon-woo called directly? How did you come to do the casting yourself?”

 

Yeon-woo smiled and spoke in response to Reporter Jeong’s question.

 

“Director Park Chan-hong said this movie would proceed as an independent film and he wanted to create a significant portion together with me, so he gave me the homework of directly casting an actor who would fit the role well and be compatible.”

“Ah, so that’s why you immediately cast your wife from a thousand years ago who you worked with in the previous project?”

 

Yeon-woo and Seo Ji-eun laughed simultaneously at Reporter Jeong’s witty question, referring to the two who were a couple in the Goryeo period in 「Beyond the River, Stars」.

And Yeon-woo continued.

 

“That’s part of it, and Han So-hyeon also recommended Seo Ji-eun here.”

“Huh? Really?”

 

Seo Ji-eun was surprised by this fact she didn’t know and looked at Yeon-woo.

 

“I remember she recommended her saying that since her debut role was an idol character, she would handle the ‘Nari’ role well.”

“Amazing. I’m a fan of Han So-hyeon. This is an honor.”

 

Jung Yu-jin internally cheered, thinking of the scoop-worthy titles pouring from this heartwarming interview content.

 

 

And while the interview was in full swing in Berlin, the entertainment department of Hansae Daily in Seoul was in chaos.

 

Editor-in-Chief Han Tae-hoon hurriedly got dressed and came to work even though it was past 2 AM in Korea.

 

“But what do you mean, Reporter Kim. What exactly did the message say?”

“Yes, she suddenly said she got an exclusive interview with Ryu Yeon-woo and Seo Ji-eun and would send the video soon, asking us to just put an embargo on movie-related content.”

“Huh, suddenly got an exclusive interview? What skill did she use to get it? I need to look at Jung Yu-jin differently.”

 

She wrote articles and columns well, but her weakness was that her field reporting ability and quick thinking were somewhat lacking, but she spoke German well so they sent her to Berlin and she brought back a scoop.

 

“Definitely do everything they ask, and when the video comes, write the article as favorably as possible. It’s the Park Chan-hong and Ryu Yeon-woo combination.”

“Yes. Understood.”

 

***

 

Reporter Jung Yu-jin, who had successfully completed the interview, felt not only the joy of getting a scoop but also considered herself a successful fan for meeting Jay and Nari from the screen.

 

She transmitted the interview materials to headquarters and returned to the hotel, quietly opening an internet browser.

 

– Ryu Yeon-woo Fan Cafe Woo’s

 

Jung Yu-jin moved her mouse and clicked the sign-up button.

 

“Hmm, nickname? How about ‘SuccessfulFanYujini’.”

 

 

And for Yeon-woo and Seo Ji-eun, who had come up to Director Park Chan-hong’s private room to deliver gifts after finishing the interview, even better news was waiting.

 

“Don’t be too surprised, you two. Though I guess it’s not really that surprising.”

“What is it, Director!”

 

Watching Seo Ji-eun stomp her feet in curiosity and Yeon-woo grinning beside her as if he had guessed something, Director Park Chan-hong opened his mouth.

 

“I got a call around five in the afternoon, and they told us not to leave the country until the last day of the film festival. What that means is, I don’t know what award it is, but our film is going to win something.”

“Gasp. Really?! Amazing, amazing.”

 

Seo Ji-eun grabbed Yeon-woo’s arm next to her and kept giving herself high-fives while jumping up and down.

 

Yeon-woo looked at Seo Ji-eun and Director Park Chan-hong and spoke.

 

“You both really worked so hard. We filmed in the countryside taking buses around with barely any staff.”

 

Both of them smiled at Yeon-woo’s words.

 

“Hmm. They say hardship in youth is worth buying, but I never thought I’d be buying hardship at my age.”

“I didn’t think it was hardship at all though? It was so fun throughout the entire filming.”

 

Winning an award at one of the World’s Top 3 Film Festivals with a South Korean independent film.

 

Only the three people in this room right now knew that a scoop even more amazing than the interview they had just finished would hit South Korea.

 

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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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