NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 168
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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 168. Mercenary
After reading the script that Ju-hyeong had sent and doing some light exercise to loosen up his body, it was about time, so he headed toward Daehangno.
Going up to the 2nd floor and opening the door, he found his friends eating cup noodles.
“Why are you eating cup noodles? They have no nutritional value.”
“Oh, Yeon-woo’s here.”
“We already had dinner, but suddenly got hungry again. There’s one more cup noodles, should I make it for you?”
Yeon-woo shook his head at Jun-su’s words.
“No, I’m fine.”
“How was the American talk show? Is it different from Korea?”
At Seong-sik’s question, Yeon-woo briefly recalled that time.
“Well? I just had a normal conversation and came back. Actually, I’ve never been on a Korean talk show either.”
“Oh, really?”
Come to think of it, the only variety show activity Yeon-woo had done so far was “Summer’s Dining Table” that he filmed early in his debut.
He had appeared on YouTube in between, but since that wasn’t a TV variety show, it was essentially just one.
“The broadcast will probably air next Saturday. In Korea, you won’t be able to watch it unless you have a channel subscription.”
“It’ll probably be uploaded to YouTube with translations in no time anyway. Someone like Yeon-woo is now in the ‘Do You Know Club.'”
Yeon-woo tilted his head at Ju-hyeong’s words.
“What’s the Do You Know Club?”
“Do you know Ryu Yeon-woo? Do you know kimchi?”
Understanding what he meant from the simple answer, Yeon-woo chuckled.
“What are you talking about. I’m still far from having that level of recognition. This work just got lucky and became a hit.”
“Hey. Even modesty can be a disease. Someone like you should accept and enjoy your popularity a bit.”
“Is that so.”
Of course, it wasn’t that Yeon-woo didn’t realize his own popularity.
Since the topic came up, Yeon-woo began talking about his future plans.
“So speaking of that, when we practice and eventually put the play on stage, audiences will come in, right?”
“Right.”
“Since we’re amateurs, doing it multiple times like other theater companies would probably be too much, so how about doing the play just once a day? Starting at 7 PM in the evening?”
“I’ll just do whatever the theater company CEO tells me to do.”
At Seong-sik’s words, Jun-su and Ju-hyeong also nodded.
Looking at his friends, Yeon-woo pointed at himself with his finger.
“Theater company CEO? Me?”
“Yeah. Of course you’re the theater company CEO.”
He had originally thought they were doing this together, so he had never considered himself the CEO, but thinking about it, he was indeed the CEO.
Yeon-woo chuckled and continued speaking.
“Have you all read the script?”
“Of course. I didn’t know Ju-hyeong had this kind of ability.”
When his friends looked at Ju-hyeong, his face turned red with embarrassment as he scratched the back of his head.
“I haven’t even told my family. Right now, only the five of us including Yu-han have seen the script.”
Yeon-woo added to Ju-hyeong’s words.
“Since we’re talking about family, if you guys are okay with it, how about we do one more special performance on the weekend, inviting our families, acquaintances, and Yu-han’s and my fans?”
“That sounds totally great.”
At those words, Seong-sik raised his hand.
“Hey. Give me about five tickets too. I have quite a few fans on my Byeol Star account.”
Then Jun-su hit Seong-sik on the back.
“Hey. Are those your fans? They’re Yeon-woo’s fans. This guy is trying to use Yeon-woo as merchandise to get five tickets and increase his followers.”
“Hehe. Caught. Just kidding.”
Ju-hyeong also shook his head seeing that.
“Guy who’s obsessed with followers.”
“Kuhaha, if I were a king of Joseon, my pen name would be Attention Seeker…”
“Be quiet. Stop being cringe.”
Yeon-woo smiled watching his friends bicker.
Just then, the theater troupe office door opened and Jin Yu-han came in.
“Yu-han’s here?”
“Sorry. I’m a bit late.”
Yeon-woo shook his head at Yu-han’s apologetic words.
“Sorry for what. Aren’t you tired? You must have had a musical performance today too.”
“I’m used to it now, so I’m fine. I was a bit tired during the premiere and the first week, but now my body is completely accustomed to it.”
Looking at Yu-han, Yeon-woo nodded.
“You guys should practice until your bodies get used to it like Yu-han.”
“But we’re just minor roles with hardly any lines?”
Then, looking at Seong-sik, Yeon-woo grinned.
“Oh? Is that a statement dismissing minor roles? The start of an attitude controversy about not needing to work hard? Or is it a beginner’s audacity thinking it’s okay to be half-hearted?”
Ever since high school, whether it was playing soccer or basketball against the neighboring class, losing was fine.
However, the moment an attitude of not trying hard showed, they would see Yeon-woo possessed by a demon instructor, so Jun-su and Seong-sik had already learned through experience that lying flat was the best strategy in such situations.
Immediately detecting the occasionally triggered ‘scolding mode Yeon-woo’, Seong-sik laughed exaggeratedly and brushed it off.
“Haha. What are you saying? This humble one was just about to go down to the basement. What, what are you doing, guys? Let’s hurry down.”
Yeon-woo and the theater company members who went down to the underground performance hall acquired the script content together while also guiding his friends’ acting until late at night.
However, as expected, Yeon-woo had no talent for teaching acting, so most of it was Jin Yu-han’s role.
Yeon-woo admired Jin Yu-han as he watched him.
“How do you teach acting so easily and well? Is being a real genius really different?”
Jin Yu-han, on the other hand, shook his head while looking at Yeon-woo.
“I think the real genius is you. I’m someone who worked hard constantly as a child actor from a young age. That’s why I can teach others.”
“Hmm, that’s…”
If it’s about effort, I actually did it for over ten years too. Though the direction was different.
Literally to survive…
The slightly different point was that acting, the moment it was discovered, meant being immediately dragged underground for torture or getting shot in the head on the spot.
But since he couldn’t say that, Yeon-woo had no choice but to swallow his words again this time.
***
The next day, Yeon-woo called Team Leader Jeong Hyeok.
– Oh, what brings Yeon-woo to call me first?
“Team Leader. Do you happen to know about ‘Achae University’?”
– Hey, you’re treating me too much like an old man. Even though we’re an actor agency, of course I know. It’s 「Idol Star Athletics Championships」, isn’t it.
Yeon-woo, who thought it was a university name when he first heard it from Dong-ha on the airplane, broke out in a cold sweat.
‘Hmm, if you don’t know, you’re an old man…’
Yeon-woo coughed at the sudden deep attack.
“Ahem, Team Leader Jeong. On my way back from America, I received an offer from XYZS member Dong-ha. He wants to recruit me as a mercenary for the futsal event in 「Idol Star Athletics Championships」.”
– Ah, is that so? What do you think, Yeon-woo?
“I think it’s fine. It seems like it would be fun.”
At Yeon-woo’s words, Team Leader Jeong Hyeok’s bright voice came through the phone receiver.
– I was actually pondering what variety show would be good for you to appear on, but this is a program I never thought of. The program you want to appear on is the best choice. From the company’s standpoint, there’s no problem at all.
“Is that so? That’s a relief. Then I’ll tell Dong-ha that I’ll appear.”
– Yes! I’ll keep that in mind. The program will probably contact the company, so I’ll handle it myself.
Yeon-woo added to Team Leader Jeong Hyeok’s words.
“Oh, Team Leader. If you get a casting confirmation call, please add one condition.”
– I don’t know for sure, but if they can cast you, that PD will probably agree to almost any condition. What is it?
Yeon-woo nodded at Team Leader Jeong’s words and continued.
“Since variety show appearances are ultimately done for fan service, I’d like to secure some audience tickets so my fans can attend.”
– Ah, that’s right. Got it!
After hanging up, Yeon-woo immediately called Dong-ha.
The call waiting tone played, and not long after, Dong-ha answered the phone.
– Oh! Yeon-woo hyung!
– Wow. Amazing. Dong-ha, is that call from actor Ryu Yeon-woo?
It seemed he was with his members, as other voices could be heard along with Dong-ha’s voice.
“Yeah. Dong-ha. What were you doing?”
– We were practicing since our comeback isn’t far away!
Yeon-woo nodded at Dong-ha’s words.
‘Hmm, their comeback isn’t far away. Actors usually send coffee trucks, but is there something I can do for them?’
Deciding to think about it when the time comes, Yeon-woo first talked about the purpose of his call.
“About what we talked about last time.”
– Yes? Which conversation are you referring to?
“The futsal conversation.”
– Ah! Yes!
Yeon-woo smiled and continued.
“I talked with my company. I’ve decided to appear as your team’s mercenary.”
– Ugh!
– Why? What is it? What did actor Ryu Yeon-woo say that surprised you?
Dong-ha’s scream and the curious voices of his members could be heard through the phone receiver.
And soon after, Dong-ha’s voice came through again after he regained his composure.
– Hyung! Thank you so much! Really, truly!
“Don’t mention it. I was thinking of appearing on variety shows for my fans anyway.”
***
“Yes! Hyung. Come in!”
Dong-ha, who had finished his call with Yeon-woo, jumped up and down in place.
“Hey, what’s with all this fuss? Let us know too!”
“Yeah. Dong-ha, what’s going on?”
Dong-ha, who had come to his senses, delivered the good news to the members.
“No! I just asked Yeon-woo hyung on the plane back from America without expecting much, you know?”
“So what did you ask?”
“You know the mercenary for our Achae University appearance!”
At Dong-ha’s words, the members’ expressions changed dramatically.
“Whoa. You asked actor Ryu Yeon-woo? To be a futsal mercenary?”
“···Really?”
In front of those members, Dong-ha grinned triumphantly.
“He said he’ll do it. The mercenary job.”
“Woaaaah!”
“Crazy! Really? ‘That actor Ryu Yeon-woo’ is going to be our team’s mercenary?”
The members surrounded Dong-ha and spun around.
“Woaaaah!”
“This guy Dong-ha pulled off something incredible!”
“Hey, this isn’t the time! Hurry up and call the director to report!”
XYZS, who were in their 4th year since debut, weren’t exactly veterans in the idol industry, but since they all debuted at a young age, they knew this business better than anyone.
That’s why the calculation was immediately finished in their heads.
With this, Achae University’s ranking became meaningless.
Even if they got eliminated early in that event, the camera’s direction would turn to Ryu Yeon-woo and XYZS who would be resting and watching.
That was Ryu Yeon-woo’s presence in the broadcasting world right now.
A celebrity they knew existed, but had never actually seen on broadcast television.
“Hey, we need to be loyal to actor Ryu Yeon-woo.”
“Yeon-woo hyung is really a good person.”
Watching Dong-ha call Ryu Yeon-woo ‘Yeon-woo hyung’, leader Do-jun sent him an envious look.
“I want to call him Yeon-woo hyung too.”
“Huh? But you and Do-jun hyung are the same age?”
“Originally, if you’re handsome and successful, you’re everyone’s hyung.”
Meanwhile, it wasn’t just the XYZS members who found this news unbelievable.
“Um, PD-nim. I think I heard wrong, so you should probably call them directly.”
At the writer’s words, PD Kim Hang-gon looked over.
“What?”
“Well, K&N Entertainment contacted us, and they said the mercenary for the XYZS team participating in futsal this time is Ryu Yeon-woo···?”
At the writer’s words, Kim Hang-gon chuckled.
“Ryu Yeon-woo? You mean the actor?”
“Yes.”
“What are you talking about. Does that make sense? Didn’t you mishear Yoo Jung-woo from BEASTY? BEASTY is from the same agency too.”
At PD Kim Hang-gon’s words, the writer shook her head.
“I asked twice. Whether it was really that Ryu Yeon-woo.”
Then PD Kim Hang-gon’s face became serious.
“Call them and let me talk.”
As the writer pressed the call button and handed it over, PD Kim Hang-gon asked while taking the phone.
“What’s the person in charge’s name?”
“Director Choi from K&N.”
Then the call connected.
– Yes, writer-nim. I received your call.
“Director Choi, this is Kim Hang-gon.
– Ah, yes. PD Kim.
“No, our writer was talking about actor Ryu Yeon-woo···.”
Then, as if anticipating the reason for the call, an immediate answer came from the other end of the phone receiver.
– Yes, that’s correct. I was surprised too, but it is that actor Ryu Yeon-woo. You’ll probably need to contact LN Entertainment first.
At the immediate confirmation, PD Kim Hang-gon became dumbfounded.
“···Uh, yes. I understand for now.”
PD Kim Hang-gon, who had hung up the call, looked at the writer with a bewildered face.
“What kind of situation is this?”
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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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