NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 151

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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 151. Arts Awards (1)

 

Catherine from Hollywood’s Snobbish Mount had been sensing strange currents since the day before.

 

 

 

A series called “White Blood” was climbing the rankings at a terrifying speed.

 

 

 

“It’s already global 6th place. At this rate, it could be dangerous next week.”

 

 

 

She immediately requested a conference call to report to Jake and the working staff.

 

 

 

Beep─.

 

 

 

Before long, the video business meeting began.

 

 

 

– You said there are unusual trends?

 

“Yes. It’s about the Asian project that Bernard Fenton mentioned last time.”

 

– Hmm, I remember.

 

 

 

Catherine shared the recent ranking trend graph of “White Blood” on screen and continued speaking.

 

 

 

“To be precise, it’s a series released in Korea, but as you can see, the upward trend has been steep since last week. There’s considerable influx not only from Korea but from other countries as well.”

 

– Catherine.

 

“Yes?”

 

 

 

From beyond the screen, Jake sighed and shook his head.

 

 

 

– As I said before, we’re not trying to profit from “Alliance.” You don’t seem to fully understand what I mean, but when other works show excellent growth, it’s something to celebrate. Yes. It seems Fenton accomplished something in Asia.

 

 

 

Then he interlaced his fingers, rested his chin on them, and continued leisurely.

 

 

 

– We are Snobbish Mount. We’re not the kind of company that would consider a small agency from the periphery as competition just because they achieved some results. We don’t calculate profit and loss to begin with, so couldn’t we just increase the promotional costs? Is that difficult to resolve?

 

“···No. I’ll add more promotion to make sure.”

 

– Good work.

 

 

 

Beep─.

 

 

 

Jake unilaterally ended his words and disconnected from the video conference, and the other working staff also ended the meeting.

 

 

 

“Haa···.”

 

 

 

Only Catherine, left alone, let out a deep sigh.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

The day after returning from Chuncheon.

 

 

 

From morning, Yeon-woo had stopped by the salon and was now traveling by car.

 

 

 

“Min-su oppa. Why didn’t you come to fitness yesterday?”

 

“Huh? Well···.”

 

“You went to the management team dinner, right?”

 

“······.”

 

 

 

While Yeon-woo was adjusting the jacket and bow tie he would wear, Lee Ye-eun glared at Kim Min-su in the driver’s seat.

 

 

 

“That’s why your belly keeps growing! You have time for company dinners but no time to go to fitness?”

 

“···Sorry.”

 

“Is the dinner more important than the promise you made with me? The management team has dinners almost every week.”

 

“No, that’s not it···.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo smiled gently while observing the atmosphere between the two.

 

 

 

“When did you two start dating?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“What are you saying, actor? We’re not.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo tilted his head.

 

 

 

“Then you two just go to the same fitness center?”

 

 

 

At Yeon-woo’s question, Ye-eun held the bow tie up to Yeon-woo’s neck and said.

 

 

 

“Ah, lately Min-su oppa seems to keep gaining weight, so I suggested we go together since it would be good···.”

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

 

 

Watching Kim Min-su nodding from the driver’s seat, Yeon-woo chuckled.

 

 

 

‘They’re both interested in each other but only the two of them don’t know?’

 

 

 

Yeon-woo tied the bow tie Ye-eun handed him and continued speaking.

 

 

 

“Anyway, it’s nice to see you two get along well.”

 

“No way, actor. Absolutely not.”

 

“Oppa. What do you mean ‘absolutely not’? That’s kind of hurtful.”

 

 

 

Just then, the vehicle Yeon-woo was in arrived at its destination.

 

 

 

A security guard ran over, confirmed that Yeon-woo was inside, and exchanged words with Kim Min-su.

 

 

 

“They’re saying to enter right now.”

 

“Yes. I’m ready.”

 

 

 

The van stopped in front of the red carpet, and as the car door opened and Yeon-woo got out, camera flashes poured down.

 

 

 

Today was the day of the 56th Korean Arts Awards.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

As he entered the awards ceremony venue, someone who had been sitting in their seat early waved cheerfully.

 

It was Han So-hyeon, whom he had seen all day yesterday while visiting Gangwon Province.

 

 

 

The newspaper company that organized the Korean Arts Awards was acquired and merged, so the timing of the awards ceremony was also postponed from its original spring schedule to now, as the year-end approaches.

 

 

 

As the organizer changed, the format of the awards ceremony was completely changed as well, with no designated table seating arranged by teams.

 

 

 

Looking at the theater-style seating like foreign awards ceremonies, it seemed people could sit freely.

 

 

 

“Yeon-woo.”

 

“Why are you sitting alone, Sister?”

 

“Senior Ma Seok-do isn’t coming today because he’s filming overseas, and Director Park Chan-hong hasn’t entered yet.”

 

 

 

Today, Yeon-woo was nominated for the Male Excellence Award in the TV category for “Stars Beyond the Stream” and in the film category for “Master Plan.”

 

 

 

‘Then which team should I sit with?’

 

 

 

Yeon-woo, who filmed “Master Plan” in the first half of last year and “Stars Beyond the Stream” in the second half, was invited to the awards ceremony for both works, so it was ambiguous which team he should sit with.

 

 

 

“This year it’s not assigned seating?”

 

“Yeah, they said you can sit anywhere you want within the front three rows!”

 

 

 

For now, he sat next to Han So-hyeon.

 

 

 

While they were chatting quietly, Director Park Chan-hong entered.

 

 

 

“Oh, Yeon-woo.”

 

“Director, it’s been a while.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo and Han So-hyeon stood up from their seats and shook hands with Director Park Chan-hong.

 

 

 

Although they had been to Berlin together relatively recently, that was at the beginning of this year, so several months had already passed since then.

 

 

 

“Coming to an awards ceremony with you, Director, really reminds me of Berlin.”

 

“Haha. Indeed it does.”

 

 

 

“Master Plan” was filmed much earlier, but since the Korean Arts Awards targets works released and aired the previous year, the order was actually reversed.

 

 

 

Similarly, around the time “Master Plan” finished filming last year, he had won the Newcomer Award for his debut work “Summer’s Closet” from the year before that.

 

 

 

“I’ve been watching your recent work. The subject matter is quite interesting.”

 

“Oh, you watched it, Director?”

 

“Of course. Who else would love interesting movies as much as a film director?”

 

 

 

Then Han So-hyeon slightly raised her hand and smiled.

 

 

 

“I also appeared as a cameo!”

 

“Yes. I saw it all. It was interesting.”

 

 

 

While the three were talking, actor Jung Ha-gyun who played Park Gang-woo and other cast members from “Master Plan” entered.

 

 

 

After exchanging greetings and taking their seats, it wasn’t long before the cast of “Stars Beyond the Stream” and Director Lee Sang-hoon entered.

 

 

 

“Yeon-woo.”

 

“Ji-eun Sister.”

 

 

 

A speaking style that strangely overlapped with Han So-hyeon’s.

 

That’s why when he first met her, he thought of Seo Ji-eun as Little Han So-hyeon, and now she was finally meeting the real Han So-hyeon.

 

 

 

Sure enough, having spotted Han So-hyeon next to Yeon-woo, he could feel Seo Ji-eun’s eyes sparkling brightly.

 

 

 

“Ah! Senior Han So-hyeon. I’m such a huge fan!”

 

 

 

Han So-hyeon was a bit flustered seeing Seo Ji-eun approaching with tremendous energy, her eyes shining.

 

 

 

“Oh, really. I’ve been watching your work too, Ji-eun.”

 

“Wow, look how fair your skin is. Senior, why are you so pretty?”

 

“Ah. Y-you too, Ji-eun…”

 

“Oh my, Senior, why are your arms so thin too?”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo made an interested expression watching Seo Ji-eun, who stuck right next to Han So-hyeon like a successful fan chattering about this and that, and Han So-hyeon being overwhelmed by her energy and getting dragged along.

 

 

 

Come to think of it, he had never seen Han So-hyeon with another actress before.

 

 

 

‘Hoo, surprisingly Han So-hyeon gets overwhelmed by Little Han So-hyeon.’

 

 

 

Naturally, Director Lee Sang-hoon and Jin Yu-han also followed Seo Ji-eun toward Yeon-woo and exchanged greetings.

 

 

 

“It’s been a while. Yu-han, your musical is starting soon, right?”

 

“Yeah. So I’d like to invite you to the premiere.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo smiled and nodded.

 

 

 

“Of course I have to go.”

 

 

 

Jin Yu-han wouldn’t know how serious Yeon-woo had been about the musical “Dejandor” since his previous life.

 

 

 

And so, with Yeon-woo suddenly at the center, the “Master Plan” team ended up sitting on the left and the “Stars Beyond the Stream” team on the right.

 

 

 

‘It’s not like choosing between mom or dad, it was a bit awkward, but I guess this worked out well.’

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

– We have concluded Part 1 of the 56th Korean Arts Awards, and Part 2 will begin shortly. We ask all distinguished guests to take a brief rest and return to your seats before the ceremony begins.

 

 

 

Hearing the host’s announcement, Yeon-woo stood up from his seat.

 

 

 

He could see other actors also getting up from their seats to go to the restroom.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo glanced around the 2nd floor audience seats and sent a message to another team member who was neither from “Master Plan” nor “Stars Beyond the Stream.”

 

 

 

– Did you check the computer room?

 

– Han Hae-woon: Yes. I infiltrated during Part 1 and finished installing all the equipment.

 

 

 

That team member was Han Hae-woon.

 

And today, veteran actor Jung Tae-seon is attending the awards ceremony.

 

 

 

– Currently moving toward the target.

 

– Han Hae-woon: Understood.

 

 

 

Jung Tae-seon went to the restroom and was returning to the main hall when he collided head-on with someone as soon as he turned the corner of the aisle.

 

 

 

“Ugh!”

 

 

 

Irritation flared up instantly.

 

 

 

‘Damn it. Where the hell are you looking when you walk.’

 

 

 

Since he couldn’t curse like usual at an official event venue, he glared ahead with fierce eyes.

 

 

 

“Senior, I’m sorry!”

 

 

 

It was Ryu Yeon-woo, the next-generation star who was rising in popularity these days.

 

 

 

His anger subsided a little at the sight of him bowing ninety degrees with a truly apologetic expression.

 

 

 

“No, well. There are many people, so collisions can happen. It’s fine.”

 

“You’re not hurt anywhere, are you, Senior Jung?”

 

“Yes, yes, well. This is our first meeting, right?”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo bowed his head once more in greeting.

 

 

 

“Yes. Senior, I’m rookie actor Ryu Yeon-woo.”

 

 

 

Jung Tae-seon’s heart softened a bit more at his consistently respectful demeanor.

 

 

 

“Haha. Your filmography is too impressive to call yourself a rookie actor.”

 

“Oh no, I’m still far lacking and embarrassed in front of Senior Jung Tae-seon. When I was an aspiring actor, I watched Senior’s ‘I Am the Culprit’ and thought, ah, this is what an actor is.”

 

 

 

Jung Tae-seon felt pleased seeing Yeon-woo specifically mention and praise what was arguably the best work in his filmography.

 

 

 

“Oh ho, that work is an old movie from almost 15 years ago. You have a good eye for a young fellow.”

 

 

 

And Yeon-woo continued speaking.

 

 

 

“Since meeting Senior like this is also fate, would it be rude if I gave you my contact information?”

 

“Ah, rude? What do you mean rude. I’d be happy to have such a junior.”

 

 

 

Jung Tae-seon, now in a good mood, nodded while speaking more casually.

 

Then Yeon-woo searched his pockets and spoke with a troubled expression.

 

 

 

“Oh no, I forgot that I left my phone with my manager when I entered the awards ceremony venue.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo looked at Jung Tae-seon.

 

There was no way such an entertainment industry networker with a shady background would entrust his phone to someone else. He would definitely have it with him.

 

 

 

Sure enough, Jung Tae-seon took out his smartphone from his jacket’s inner pocket.

 

 

 

“I’ll save it. What’s your number?”

 

 

 

Then Yeon-woo looked around and spoke to Jung Tae-seon in a small voice as if troubled.

 

 

 

“There are many people passing by around here… I’ll input it directly and save it myself.”

 

 

 

Jung Tae-seon looked back and forth between his smartphone and Ryu Yeon-woo’s face, then soon nodded and handed over the phone.

 

 

 

“Alright? Then let’s do that.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo received Jung Tae-seon’s smartphone.

 

 

 

Then, using the muscle below his thumb that magicians mainly use, he inserted a coin-sized device hidden in his hand into the charging port with ghostly hand movements.

 

 

 

It’s a sleight of hand called Classic Palm, a basic technique magicians use to make coins disappear and reappear.

 

 

 

While inputting the number, Yeon-woo continued speaking nonchalantly.

 

 

 

“It’s truly an honor to meet a senior I respect like this today. And finally, saving it. Here you go, Senior.”

 

 

 

He invisibly separated the device from the smartphone, hid it in his palm, and respectfully returned the smartphone with both hands.

 

 

 

“Hahaha. I’m also honored to get to know a trending actor who’s doing well these days.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo suddenly remembered ‘Jennifer’ from 「Master Plan」 who had switched Park Gang-woo’s phone SIM card.

 

 

 

Jennifer, the role ‘Deer’ that Han So-hyeon had played.

 

 

 

In a way, ‘Aegyo’ Ryu Yeon-woo could be considered the originator in this field.

 

 

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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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