NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 184

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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 184. After the Play Ends

 

After the performance ended and all the audience had left, the members sat in a circle on the empty small theater floor, each holding a can of beer.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo smiled as he looked at his friends.

 

 

 

“How was it for everyone? Today’s experience.”

 

“Maybe because I’m a newbie, but it was really nerve-wracking and tough. I’m completely exhausted now.”

 

“But it was fun though. How should I put it. My heart felt like it would burst, so I felt alive?”

 

 

 

Hearing his friends’ words, Ju-hyeong nodded his head.

 

 

 

“I was so nervous about presenting the story I wrote to people. Compared to that, the acting on stage wasn’t even that nerve-wracking.”

 

 

 

Seong-sik, who was sitting next to him, patted Ju-hyeong’s back.

 

 

 

“Did you hear what the audience was saying earlier? They said it was totally interesting.”

 

“I did hear that. Still, if we had more time, we could have added other detailed elements. I keep feeling regretful about something.”

 

 

 

When Kim Ju-hyeong spoke with an embarrassed smile, Yeon-woo nodded his head.

 

 

 

“Writer Kim Jin-ju kept saying the same thing when she was writing the scenario for 「White Blood」. She said it was so frustrating that the running time was limited. She suffered while worrying about which stories to include and which to leave out.”

 

“So even such a star writer has the same worries.”

 

 

 

Woo Seong-sik, who had been listening to the conversation, took a sip of beer and sprawled out on the stage.

 

 

 

“Ugh. My soul is drained. Can we do this every day?”

 

 

 

Then Yeon-woo laughed and shook his head.

 

 

 

“We’re beginners, so no matter how I think about it, daily performances would be tough. Since today is Sunday, how about adding Wednesday and Friday to make it three days a week?”

 

 

 

Of course, even if Yeon-woo performed every day, he wouldn’t get physically tired or find acting burdensome.

 

In fact, Jin Yu-han, Ha Jae-hoon, and Kim Se-yeong would probably be the same.

 

 

 

When Yeon-woo looked at those three, they quietly nodded and smiled, understanding that he was being considerate of his friends.

 

 

 

Then Woo Seong-sik, who had been lying down, suddenly sat up.

 

 

 

“Really? Is that okay?”

 

“Of course. Naturally. It’s not like we’re running this to make money.”

 

 

 

Since the topic came up, Yeon-woo continued speaking to inform the members about how they would manage the profits earned by the theater company.

 

 

 

Even before starting the first performance, Yeon-woo had already finished discussing with the foundation about donating all performance profits to a leukemia-related foundation he had learned about while filming 「White Blood」.

 

 

 

“First, since this has already been decided, there’s no room for compromise. As the theater company director, I’m telling you that all profits from this play will be donated in full, and I’ll separately pay you salaries equivalent to what you should originally receive.”

 

 

 

At Yeon-woo’s firm tone, the members nodded their heads.

 

 

 

“I’ll do whatever the theater company director tells me to do.”

 

“Me too!”

 

 

 

Hearing his friends’ answers, Yeon-woo looked at Ha Jae-hoon and Kim Se-yeong and asked.

 

 

 

“Are you two okay with this too?”

 

“Of course. We’re getting paid anyway, and at the same time it feels good to contribute to something wonderful.”

 

 

 

Then Jin Yu-han, who was sitting next to Yeon-woo, whispered to him.

 

 

 

“It’s not like money has tags on it, but in the end you’re donating from your own pocket. At least I won’t take a salary. I’m doing this purely for fun.”

 

 

 

At Jin Yu-han’s words, Yeon-woo smiled and nodded his head.

 

If not others, at least Jin Yu-han was justified in saying that.

 

 

 

The lighting director and dispatched actors should naturally receive settlements since this was their livelihood, and his friends deserved to receive results for their efforts since they hadn’t even started economic activities yet.

 

 

 

Even assuming all performances would be sold out, the total revenue for the three months of performances wouldn’t exceed 100 million won, so considering Yeon-woo’s current income, it wasn’t a burdensome amount at all.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo looked around at the members, raised his beer can, and shouted.

 

 

 

“Then our next play is on Wednesday, which means we’re resting at least tomorrow, right? Let’s all drink today!”

 

“Okay!”

 

 

 

Even Jin Yu-han, who usually avoided company dinners at all costs, smiled happily and raised his beer can.

 

 

 

Kim Jun-su took a sip of beer and whispered to Yeon-woo.

 

 

 

“But why were you so kind to that rude blonde guy earlier? You talked with him for quite a while.”

 

 

 

Then Yeon-woo grinned.

 

 

 

“Well, I was trying to implement justice in my own novel way. Yu-han was conveniently next to me at that time too.”

 

 

 

Kim Jun-su tilted his head at Yeon-woo’s words.

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, at that moment, articles were pouring out on the Internet.

 

 

 

– [Culture News] Ryu Yeon-woo · Jin Yu-han Attack Daehangno? The Much-Rumored Play 「Mirror」

 

– [RK Sports] Eccentricity or Artistic Move? Ryu Yeon-woo and Jin Yu-han at Hyehwa-dong Small Theater···.

 

– [New Perspective] Chungmuro’s Blue Chips Appeared in Daehangno. Audience Experiences of Being Surprised by Their Sudden Appearance···.

 

 

 

And the lucky audience members who had attended the first performance began posting testimonials(?) about the blessed experience they had on the Internet.

 

 

 

At first, the community didn’t believe the absurd content of the posts, but the atmosphere changed when articles started appearing one after another and verification photos were posted on Byeol Star.

 

 

 

– For real?

 

– Seems like it? Looking at the best posts, they said after today’s performance that online ticketing would start from the next play

 

└ The site is already up [link]

 

– Crazy lol is it even humanly possible to get tickets?

 

 

 

– Do you guys do cultural activities and stuff too? ㄷㄷ I don’t even leave my room anyway, and I don’t watch plays or anything like that

 

└ That’s true lol But wouldn’t it be profitable to take photos with Ryu Yeon-woo and Jin Yu-han for just 10,000 won?

 

 

 

Reporters who caught wind of the news on the internet began flocking to Daehangno like hyenas prowling for prey.

 

 

 

Just then, after finishing a modest celebration party, the members came up the stairs from the basement small theater.

 

 

 

Ha Jae-hoon, who came up first, raised the shutter that was blocking the entrance to the small theater.

 

 

 

Clatter─.

 

 

 

“They’re out! Ryu Yeon-woo and Jin Yu-han are performing…”

 

“What’s their relationship with Theater Company Myeongseong that was originally here…”

 

“······.”

 

 

 

Clatter─.

 

 

 

And he lowered it again.

 

 

 

“Why is it so noisy outside? Is someone fighting?”

 

 

 

When the members who were coming up after finishing cleaning the small theater asked, Jae-hoon shook his head.

 

 

 

“…We can’t get out.”

 

“What?”

 

“Reporters are swarming outside.”

 

 

 

At Jae-hoon’s words, the theater company members hurriedly went up to the 2nd floor office.

 

And when they went to the window and peeked down below, there were quite a few reporters camped out at the entrance.

 

 

 

“Wow…”

 

“The impact is stronger than I thought. Yeon-woo and Yu-han.”

 

 

 

At Kim Ju-hyeong’s words, Yeon-woo smiled awkwardly and picked up his smartphone.

 

 

 

– Yes, actor.

 

“Min-su hyung. I think the company needs to send a car. Reporters have gathered outside the theater company.”

 

– Ah, I’ll report to Team Leader Jeong and take action immediately.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

While waiting in the 2nd floor office until the people sent by the company arrived, the members each picked up their smartphones and became absorbed in searching.

 

 

 

“Wow. Remember that audience member who took out conch shell snacks from her bag and gave them to us when we were taking photos earlier?”

 

“Ah, that short-haired sister who said ‘This is all I have to give you’?”

 

 

 

At Woo Seong-sik’s words, Kim Jun-su nodded.

 

 

 

“Yeah. She already posted a review.”

 

“What does it say? Give me the link.”

 

 

 

When Seong-sik clicked the link, she had written a review with her impressions of today’s performance and even attached verification photos with stickers covering her face.

 

 

 

“Hey. She says she thought the person who played the gangster was a real gangster. Hehe.”

 

 

 

At Jun-su’s words, Seong-sik frowned.

 

 

 

“Ah, my face isn’t that bad.”

 

 

 

Seong-sik was touching his face when he seemed to discover something in the post and laughed.

 

 

 

“Did you see this? [The sailor who kept following Ryu Yeon-woo around really looked like a genuine new sailor.] That’s not even acting for you. You’re just naturally clueless.”

 

 

 

Listening to Jun-su and Seong-sik’s conversation, Yeon-woo also became curious about the reviews and clicked on a link in the group chat.

 

 

 

Scrolling down to look at the comments, he discovered a somehow familiar nickname at the end.

 

 

 

– LiveEarnestly : Wow I’m jealous, getting tickets for this will be impossible now

 

└ McmorningBetterToSeeOnce : Absolutely impossible to get lol

 

– AttentionSeeker : But wasn’t the actor who played the gangster kind of handsome?

 

└ King Jun-su : Nope, not buying it

 

 

 

When Yeon-woo looked at his friends, his smartphone rang just then.

 

 

 

“Yes, Min-su hyung.”

 

– I have two cars and the security team standing by downstairs. When you raise the shutter and come out, we’ll provide security immediately.

 

“Thank you. We’ll come down right away.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo hung up the phone and looked at the members.

 

 

 

“Let’s go. Home.”

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

The next day, while all the other members were resting at home, Kim Ju-hyeong couldn’t resolve his overwhelming emotions by just resting quietly, so he headed to Hyehwa-dong from the morning.

 

 

 

‘My imagination became reality.’

 

 

 

It still felt like a dream.

 

 

 

As he entered the alley and raised the shutter that had been closed yesterday, about to climb the stairs, a young man came running from behind.

 

 

 

“Wait a moment!”

 

 

 

When Kim Ju-hyeong tilted his head and looked, the man who was catching his breath held out a business card with an innocent face.

 

 

 

“Are you by any chance a member of ‘Theater Company Saebyeol’? I’m reporter Noh Se-jun from News7!”

 

 

 

With his excited mood keeping him up at night and coming out quite early, he thought there wouldn’t be any reporters waiting from the morning, but it was unexpected.

 

 

 

Kim Ju-hyeong accepted the business card the reporter handed him.

 

 

 

“Ah, yes. I see.”

 

“Excuse me, if it’s not too much trouble, could I possibly do an interview? I really must ask!”

 

 

 

Seeing the reporter bow 90 degrees while making his request, Kim Ju-hyeong scratched the back of his head looking troubled.

 

 

 

“Hmm, well. Then would it be okay if I make a phone call to see if an interview would be alright? If you wait out front, I’ll call and let you know.”

 

“Oh, yes! Thank you!”

 

 

 

Kim Ju-hyeong’s wariness eased a little at the polite attitude.

 

 

 

When reporter Noh Se-jun went outside, Kim Ju-hyeong went up to the office and called Yeon-woo.

 

 

 

– Yeah. Ju-hyeong.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo’s voice came through the phone receiver.

 

 

 

“Were you sleeping since it’s morning?”

 

– No. I just finished my dawn workout.

 

 

 

At Yeon-woo’s words, Kim Ju-hyeong nodded and continued speaking.

 

 

 

“Well, you know. I came to the theater company this morning and met a reporter who wants to do an interview…”

 

– Oh, really? If you want to do it, go ahead. There’s nothing we particularly need to keep secret anymore.

 

 

 

Kim Ju-hyeong scratched his cheek at Yeon-woo’s cool reaction.

 

 

 

“Is that really okay?”

 

– Of course. We don’t have any secrets we can’t tell others.

 

“That’s true. Got it!”

 

 

 

Kim Ju-hyeong went down to reporter Noh Se-jun who was waiting below.

 

 

 

“Please come in. Let’s do the interview on the 2nd floor.”

 

“Oh, really! Thank you!”

 

 

 

Noh Se-jun bowed 90 degrees again and followed Kim Ju-hyeong up to the office.

 

 

 

And the interview that started in a light atmosphere flowed quite smoothly.

 

 

 

There were no secrets they couldn’t reveal, and while Ryu Yeon-woo and Jin Yu-han were a shocking combination for a small theater, the other members were unknown college students who were extremely ordinary, so there were no particularly sharp or uncomfortable questions.

 

 

 

“Oh, so you’re both a theater company member and a writer?”

 

“Ah, I’m still a bit embarrassed to call myself a writer…”

 

 

 

Noh Se-jun smiled and praised Kim Ju-hyeong.

 

 

 

“Come on, you’re the writer of a play starring two major stars.”

 

 

 

The interview proceeded in quite a warm atmosphere as he faithfully answered the questions being asked.

 

 

 

 

 

However, that evening.

 

 

 

The article that came out immediately was completely different from the interview content.

 

 

 

– [Exclusive] The Shocking Reality of the Hot Topic Play “Mirror”. By reporter Noh Se-jun

 

 

 

Ryu Yeon-woo X Jin Yu-han.

 

A fierce acting ability battle between next-generation stars unfolds in Daehangno.

 

Since yesterday, this has been creating buzz, but is the reality really as amazing as the rumors?

 

(Omitted)

 

According to content that this publication obtained with difficulty through reporting, it was revealed that the writer who wrote the script is an amateur with no experience, and most of the actors performing are also college students with no notable experience.

 

 

 

If the quality of a theater company charging admission for paid performances is this low, can that be right?

 

 

 

Of course, the play will still sell out all seats.

 

But can that really be a measure for evaluating the quality of this play?

 

 

 

Attention is focused on whether they can escape the controversy of being a kind of “fan business” exploiting the fandoms of actors Ryu Yeon-woo and Jin Yu-han, who are currently rising in popularity.

 

 

 

 

 

“…Wh-what is this.”

 

 

 

Goosebumps rose all over Kim Ju-hyeong’s back as he checked the article.

 

Then immediately after, his hands began trembling with feelings of betrayal and injustice.

 

 

 

Kim Ju-hyeong called Yeon-woo with trembling hands.

 

 

 

– Yeah. Ju-hyeong.

 

“Y-Yeon-woo. Did you see the article? Aaaah. I’m sorry I did the interview for nothing. That reporter definitely had a nice impression and said he’d write a good article!”

 

 

 

Then the sound of Yeon-woo laughing lightly came through the phone receiver.

 

 

 

– Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing at all. Actually, this worked out well.

 

 

 

And then Yeon-woo’s voice continued.

 

 

 

– Reporters always step forward to do such grateful work like this.

 

 

—————
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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