NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 41

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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 41. Deer

A week had passed since Yeon-woo received his university acceptance notice.

 

He had received word that the casting for “Master Plan” would likely be completed soon.

 

However, his current schedule was empty.

 

Because of that, he had come down to his parents’ house in Daejeon and was living like an idle person with nothing to do but watch TV at home.

 

Yeon-woo returned from his morning workout and sat on the living room sofa of the empty house, flipping through TV channels.

Then he stopped on a channel when a familiar face appeared.

 

It wasn’t a fellow actor or someone from the broadcasting industry.

 

“Why is this person…?”

 

The person being interviewed on a variety show was a National Intelligence Service employee who had joined the same year as Jeon Su-hwan, Ryu Yeon-woo’s past life.

 

– Today we’re doing a special feature on ‘Hidden Heroes’ with various guests joining us. Please give us a brief introduction.

– Yes, hello. I’m Han Ji-hyeon, working as a public relations officer at the National Intelligence Service.

 

Only then did Yeon-woo, who was watching TV, nod in understanding.

 

The National Intelligence Service also has a Public Relations Department to shed the negative image created through modern history.

 

As Yeon-woo remembered, she had worked in a department related to cybersecurity, but it seemed she had been transferred to public relations.

 

Of course, the name she gave wasn’t her real name either.

The real name of the woman who introduced herself as ‘Han Ji-hyeon’ was ‘Kang Ju-mi’.

 

“She’s aged a lot. Well, I looked even older from working in the field.”

 

She was his colleague from the same intake, and he was seeing her for the first time since they were in their early thirties.

Yeon-woo couldn’t change the channel and kept watching, captivated by the familiar face he was seeing after so long.

 

After exchanging interviews for a while, the assistant MC asked a question from the side.

 

– So like in movies, do agents actually die while fighting in real life?

 

The guest answered the question.

 

– Not many, but there are of course cases where people die in the line of duty for their country. Recently, there was a tragedy where more nameless stars were added.

– Ah, I see. What do you mean by nameless stars?

– At the NIS Building, when an agent whose identity cannot be revealed dies during an operation, we engrave a nameless star to honor their sacrifice.

 

Along with the guest’s words, the nameless stars appeared as reference footage.

 

It was his own star that he had intentionally avoided looking up, wanting to forget his past life.

 

Yeon-woo stared at the star on the screen, caught in a mysterious and strange feeling.

 

But then, there was something strange that caught his eye.

 

“…Why have two more stars been added?”

 

Yeon-woo stroked his chin and fell into deep thought.

 

When he first woke up in a new body at the hospital, it wasn’t that he hadn’t thought about finding the truth about his death.

 

He had simply pushed it aside because there was no realistic method he could take immediately, and the death itself was suspicious.

 

Jeon Su-hwan, Ryu Yeon-woo’s past life, had initially been dispatched after receiving intelligence that a Middle Eastern terrorist organization might be conducting weapons deals with North Korea.

 

Since he died without sensing anything, Yeon-woo had been speculating that his death was likely due to sniping.

 

If the terrorist organization had discovered that Jeon Su-hwan was hiding in concealment, they actually wouldn’t have killed him by sniping.

 

He would have been a very valuable hostage.

 

 

He had thought it was a finished life and was much more satisfied with his new life, so he didn’t have much attachment to it…

 

But if his death was due to betrayal, he was determined to pay it back someday, even if it took time.

 

 

“Spring Lovers” surpassed its break-even point before spring even arrived and was racing toward 2 million viewers.

 

And he received word that casting for “Master Plan” was complete and the date for the full script reading had been set.

 

Someone welcome had been cast in “Master Plan” – it was Han So-hyeon, who had taken on the supporting role of ‘Deer’.

 

“So-hyeon, sister.”

– Yeon-woo!

“We ended up working on projects together back-to-back. I called because I was happy about it.”

– That’s right! I accepted without even knowing who got the lead role and was so surprised! I really wanted to do a Director Park Chan-hong film, so I accepted immediately when the offer came.

 

 

Han So-hyeon was aiming for an acting transformation with the role of ‘Deer’ this time.

 

A role offer that came while she was struggling with always playing bright and cheerful characters.

 

Although Han So-hyeon only played lead roles on television, she would gratefully take even a supporting role if it was for master director Park Chan-hong.

 

Above all, it was a role that combined comedy and sexiness that perfectly appealed to Han So-hyeon.

 

The character name was also unique.

 

Deer Jennifer.

 

‘Deer’ was one of the experts that the immigrated ‘Pierre Choi’ calls in to set up his scheme.

The black rose of the con game who infiltrates using honey traps to extract information or manipulate targets to move according to plan.

 

If Pierre Choi was the orchestra conductor of the con game, Jennifer was the violinist performing the solo.

 

Yeon-woo recalled the scene in the scenario where ‘Deer’ first joins the team.

 

***

 

The one who entered through the door was a beauty with skin white as jade, delicate features, and red lipstick that added bewitching charm.

 

Kwak Ji-cheol looked at her and asked Pierre Choi a question.

 

– Is it because her eyes are like a deer’s that everyone calls her that?

– No, she melts all the men’s hearts into deer antler extract.

 

While watching the two talk about her, ‘Deer’ Jennifer with red lipstick had been sending a bewitching smile, but her face was colored with bewilderment.

 

– There he goes again. That lame joke… It’s not funny, Pierre.

 

***

 

Yeon-woo thought about the role in the script and spoke again.

 

“Sister, this work will be quite an acting transformation for you too.”

– Right, right. I’ve always wanted to try this kind of role! Maybe because it’s the complete opposite of me?

“I’m looking forward to it. I think we’ll be able to film enjoyably. I think there’ll be a lot to learn too.”

– I’m also excited to be filming your first leading movie role together. And it’s a film by master Director Park Chan-hong at that.

 

So-hyeon thought about Yeon-woo’s filmography after this movie’s release, and found it amazing that he was racing through super-high-speed box office success without any obscurity in just 2 years.

 

“Now that casting is confirmed and we’ll start filming soon, I’m getting a bit nervous. Whether I’ll be able to do well among all the great actors.”

– How unusual to hear you sound uncertain? Captain Ryu. Of course you can do well. I believe in your acting ability!

 

Yeon-woo smiled at Han So-hyeon’s generous encouragement.

 

“Then I’ll see you at the script reading. Sister.”

– Yes! I should prepare hard too.

 

Yeon-woo put the final spurt into preparing for ‘Master Plan’ and obtained his driver’s license during the preparation period.

 

Holding the steering wheel after 2 years felt somewhat different, but of course there were no mistakes since he had been driving for 20 years.

 

Before long, it was the day of the full script reading, and Min-su’s car carrying Yeon-woo stopped at a building in Chungmuro.

 

Today’s script reading was being held in a quite luxurious hall inside the building.

 

Unlike dramas that usually expose content through platforms like NeTube to secure fan bases, movies are different.

 

Of course they film, but it’s for record purposes and generally not processed and released for promotional purposes.

As such, the atmosphere was somewhat more serious.

 

Yeon-woo arrived at the conference room.

 

“Hello. I’m Ryu Yeon-woo. Please take care of me.”

“Ah, yes. It’s an honor to meet the actor who’s all the rage these days. Hehe.”

 

Yeon-woo arrived an hour early and greeted each person at the scene with handshakes.

Most were industry insiders he didn’t know, but ultimately they were people contributing their strength to make this movie work, weren’t they.

 

Then, Director Park Chan-hong entered the conference room while giving some instructions to staff.

 

“Hello, Director.”

“Hmm? Actor Ryu. Why did you come so early.”

 

Director Park smiled while patting the shoulder of Yeon-woo who approached with a smile to greet him.

 

His gaze felt somewhat softer than the tiger-like eyes during the audition.

 

“I was feeling the atmosphere of the set and looking over the script.”

“Good. Well done. See you in a bit.”

 

After a brief greeting, Director Park left the conference room again to give more instructions.

 

As he spent time looking at the script in his seat, supporting actors and staff members arrived one by one.

 

Since most of the supporting actors were also veterans who had cut their teeth in the film industry, Yeon-woo approached them first and greeted them politely with a smile.

 

Then a welcome face also arrived.

 

“Deer Sister.”

 

So-hyeon, who was entering the conference room, burst into laughter at Yeon-woo’s playful way of addressing her suddenly.

 

Several actors sitting near the conference room entrance also burst into laughter, having all read the scenario as well.

 

“Pfft. Deer Sister, why is that so funny? I’m so happy to see you here.”

“I suddenly feel energized now that Sister is here too.”

 

Han So-hyeon warmly clasped both of Yeon-woo’s hands and chattered away, then soon stood up from her chair.

 

“Let me go greet the senior actors for a moment!”

 

While she was the protagonist in ‘Summer’s Closet’, here So-hyeon was also surrounded by stellar seniors.

 

Han So-hyeon, who was already celebrating her 10th debut anniversary this year, seemed to know many seniors from previous collaborations or acquaintances, as friendly conversation and laughter could be heard.

 

In the meantime, Ma Seok-do, who plays Kwak Ji-cheol and shares the lead role with Yeon-woo in this film, entered.

 

“Senior. Hello. I’m Ryu Yeon-woo.”

“Oh oh. Yes. Nice to meet you.”

 

Ma Seok-do, with his burly frame, raised his thick arm to clasp the handshake that Yeon-woo had offered.

 

‘Is this the fist that could knock down a bull?’

 

Despite the light grip, Yeon-woo had an odd thought as he felt the grip strength.

 

“It’s an honor to be working together with you this time. Please feel free to speak casually with me, senior.”

“Honor? Come on. Haha. Let’s do well together. I’m nervous too since it’s Director Park’s film, you know?”

 

Ma Seok-do grinned and whispered to Yeon-woo that he was actually nervous too.

 

As the actors arrived one by one and took their seats, the second and third rows filled up with numerous staff members in attendance.

 

Then Director Park Chan-hong and CEO Han Yoon-su entered and took their seats.

 

Director Park Chan-hong soon stood up from his seat and began to speak.

 

“It’s wonderful to see everyone’s faces gathered here together. I’m Park Chan-hong, directing this film.”

 

Waaah!

Clap clap clap.

 

The attendees responded to Director Park Chan-hong’s greeting with applause and cheers.

 

“I believe that film is an art of sparks that fly in fleeting moments on set. While it may be difficult given the circumstances at today’s script reading, when we’re actually on the filming set, I hope all the actors will interpret the script proactively and show us many wonderful ad-libs.”

 

Director Park caught his breath for a moment and continued speaking.

 

“I’ll capture all of that faithfully and weave it together beautifully, and I’ll take full responsibility for it, so I hope the actors will feel free to go wild. Let’s start introductions with actor Ma Seok-do.”

 

The actors responded with applause to Director Park Chan-hong’s encouraging words, and Ma Seok-do raised his large frame.

 

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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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