NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 60

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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 60. Black Hand

“Ah, what should we tell Jin Yu-han? Casting Director Yoon, you should do it. Isn’t that originally the casting director’s role?”

“What? I’m the captain of this ship, so the director should make the call.”

 

When Director Lee mischievously smiled and passed the bomb to the casting director, Casting Director Yoon sharply refused.

 

“I’ll have to do it myself. Sigh. Even having too much casting luck becomes a problem.”

 

 

Yeon-woo left the casting negotiation matters to Team Leader Jeong and came out of the broadcasting station with Min-su.

 

In the car returning to the officetel, Min-su opened his mouth.

 

“Actor, I get so thrilled at times like this.”

“The audition?”

 

Just then, at a red light, he smoothly applied the brakes to stop the car and looked back with a grin.

 

“Actually, I wasn’t watching your acting but looking at the production team’s faces.”

 

Min-su shifted his gaze back to the front and continued speaking.

 

“But at first, how should I put it, their eyes didn’t show much expectation.”

“Jin Yu-han, who went in before me, must have done really well.”

 

Min-su nodded at Yeon-woo’s words.

 

“That’s right. They were going to watch your acting, but it felt like they had already made up their minds. But as you acted more and more, their expressions gradually changed, and by the end, hearts were about to pop out of their eyes.”

 

Seeing Min-su looking especially excited today, Yeon-woo’s lips also curved up slightly.

 

 

Meanwhile, in Jin Yu-han’s car returning after finishing the audition.

 

Manager Han Young-ho’s smartphone rang.

 

“Oh my, yes. Director.”

 

Manager Han Young-ho answered the phone with a bright face. But soon his face crumpled.

 

“What? Ah, I see. Hmm, well, it can’t be helped. It’s not something for the director to be sorry about.”

 

Hearing the conversation, it seemed to be an unexpected turn, so Jin Yu-han also lowered his eye mask and looked at Han Young-ho.

 

“Yes, that’s right. I’ll see you later.”

 

Manager Han Young-ho’s expression turned fierce after hanging up the phone.

 

“What kind of nonsense is this? Saying that guy’s image is closer to fitting the role – do they have eyes or not? How can they say that after seeing Yu-han’s Seo Hee, really.”

“They said Ryu Yeon-woo’s image fits the role better?”

 

Jin Yu-han’s voice was calmer than expected.

 

“That’s what they said. I can’t understand it. They only do KBC historical dramas and such, so they don’t know trends at all.”

“I thought I had prepared thoroughly, but Ryu Yeon-woo must be really good.”

 

Jin Yu-han’s face showed more interest than wounded pride.

 

“Manager, sorry, but could you call Director Lee again?”

“Why? Yu-han, even if it’s absurd, just bear with it. There’s nothing good about getting on the wrong side of a broadcasting station PD.”

 

Jin Yu-han chuckled at Manager Han Young-ho’s words.

 

“Am I that kind of person? They evaluated fairly through an audition.”

 

With a reluctant expression, Manager Han made the call and handed it over to Jin Yu-han.

 

While taking the phone and waiting for the connection tone, Jin Yu-han said to Han Young-ho.

 

“The clause I uniquely requested when signing the contract is naturally still valid, right?”

 

The clause stating that as long as it wasn’t a low-budget independent film or a role that would seriously damage the company’s image, the actor could choose the projects he wanted.

 

“Yeah, that’s right. But it seemed like they had made up their minds about Ryu Yeon-woo?”

 

Just then, the call connected.

 

– Yes, Manager Han.

“Director, this is Jin Yu-han.”

 

***

 

After hanging up and entering the meeting room with the staff for a meeting, Manager Han Young-ho’s call came again.

 

Director Lee Sang-hoon tilted his head and gestured to his team members to wait a moment before answering.

 

“Yes, Manager Han.”

– Director, this is Jin Yu-han.

“Ah, Jin Yu-han.”

– I heard that Ryu Yeon-woo has been cast for the role of Seo Hee.

 

Director Lee Sang-hoon’s face turned sour.

 

Is he going to complain about the casting? It was a fair audition, but maybe being famous since childhood made him lose touch with reality.

 

“Yes, what about it?”

 

Director Lee Sang-hoon’s voice was already becoming blunt from his assumptions.

But then came Jin Yu-han’s unexpected words.

 

– Then I would like to participate in the role of ‘Lee Ji-baek’, would that be possible?

 

Director Lee Sang-hoon’s eyes widened in an instant.

 

“What? The role of Lee Ji-baek is a supporting role. Of course it has significant screen time, but it’s different from the second male lead in a romantic comedy.”

– That’s fine. I really want to participate in this project.

“The role of Lee Ji-baek includes scenes where he’s dispatched as an envoy to the Song Dynasty, so there will be overseas location shooting. Would that be okay with you?”

 

Then came Jin Yu-han’s answer without any hesitation.

 

– Yes. Of course.

 

Director Lee Sang-hoon’s mouth stretched from ear to ear at the unexpected proposal.

 

“Oh my, then it feels like we’ve gained a mighty army. This is wonderful.”

– Then please discuss the detailed appearance negotiations with the company. I look forward to working with you during filming.”

 

The call ended with mutual repeated greetings.

 

Entering the meeting room where the production team and key staff were gathered, he shouted with his mouth stretched from ear to ear.

 

“Jin Yu-han himself is participating in our project in the role of Lee Ji-baek.”

 

The staff were surprised by the sudden news and each opened their mouths.

 

“What? In the role of Lee Ji-baek? Jin Yu-han?”

“Wow, our male lead is Ryu Yeon-woo and the second male lead is Jin Yu-han? That’s amazing.”

“Oh, that’s great, but even if Jin Yu-han’s side gives us a good deal on the appearance fee, won’t the female lead budget be tight?”

 

It was a historical drama where it was hard to include PPL, and the production budget was already tight with location shooting and post-production CG work.

 

“Ah, it’s fine. We can get more investment or receive more budget from the broadcasting station. Don’t worry about that and let’s look for actresses who fit the image well.”

 

The production team, having suddenly gained both of the hottest young male actors these days, brightened up and started the meeting.

 

 

“What does Yeo Min-seo say?”

“She says it’s difficult because she has other schedules now.”

 

Director Lee Sang-hoon flipped through files while searching for actresses.

 

“Then is there anyone you’d recommend?”

“Um… how about Seo Ji-eun?”

 

All eyes turned to the assistant writer sitting at the end.

 

“Seo Ji-eun? The one who became famous for her high school idol role?”

 

She was an actress who rose to fame with a high school youth drama a few years ago, but then went downhill when a major actor dropped out due to drug problems in the mini-series where she had her first leading role.

 

“Yes, if it weren’t for Han Jun-kyung’s drug problem, things would have gone well. I’ve always thought Seo Ji-eun would match well with actor Ryu Yeon-woo.”

 

Actually, assistant writer Jeong Ye-na was a Woods member. She was overjoyed when she heard that Ryu Yeon-woo might be cast.

 

Jeong Ye-na, who joined the team when writer Kim Jin-ju took on this project, had run countless virtual castings in her head.

 

Among them, the best combination was Ryu Yeon-woo and Seo Ji-eun.

She never imagined Jin Yu-han would join too, but Jeong Ye-na thought it would be perfect if those three came together.

 

“Hmm, that might work? Let’s look into it.”

 

The director continued while flipping through files.

 

“Oh, speaking of which, while casting, let’s thoroughly check the actors for drug problems just in case. Strangely, drug problems in the entertainment industry keep surfacing these days.”

“Yes.”

 

 

At that moment, Ryu Yeon-woo in the car returning to his officetel was also looking at his smartphone in real time.

 

– Breaking news. An Jun-ho confirmed to be under investigation after being charged with drug-related offenses.

– Shocking. Another entertainment industry drug case, even An Jun-ho.

 

‘An Jun-ho drugs?’

 

Breaking news was being posted in real time.

An Jun-ho was the actor who worked with him in Summer’s Closet, playing the role of Hwang Jae-il.

 

“He didn’t seem like someone who would do drugs?”

 

He was someone with a cheerful personality who didn’t even smoke cigarettes, let alone do drugs.

 

Min-su, who was driving, heard Yeon-woo’s words and asked.

 

“Who? When you say drugs, you mean illegal drugs?”

“Yes. There are articles saying Jun-ho hyung did drugs.”

“Jun-ho hyung, you mean actor An Jun-ho?”

“Yes. The one we filmed Summer’s Closet with.”

 

Min-su was also surprised by the unexpected news.

 

“He didn’t seem like that kind of person…?”

 

Then Yeon-woo’s smartphone rang, and when he checked the screen, it was Son Jin-wook.

 

“Yes. Jin-wook hyung.”

– Yeon-woo. Did you hear the news?

“About Jun-ho hyung?”

– Yeah. What is this about? Jun-ho suddenly with drugs. I haven’t met him privately since he changed agencies last time. It’s shocking.

 

Yeon-woo heard Jin-wook’s sigh through the phone receiver and continued speaking.

 

“I had some prior connection with Jin-wook hyung.”

– Yeah. That guy made his debut with a minor role in ‘Your Name’.

“Did he recently change agencies?”

 

A response accompanied by a sigh came back to Yeon-woo’s question.

 

– He was originally with the same agency as me, but when we signed with LN Enter, that guy was also up for contract renewal so he moved. I think it was Plus Ten.

“Plus Ten’s CEO Byeon Hak-gyu?”

 

As soon as Yeon-woo heard the agency name from Jin-wook, a name immediately came to mind.

 

– Well, I don’t know the CEO’s name of that agency.

 

It was definitely certain. That CEO who had tried to induce sponsorship from Jung Su-yeon.

 

“Jin-wook hyung. I have somewhere I need to call briefly, so I think I need to hang up.”

– Ah. Okay. Let’s talk again later.

 

As soon as he hung up, Ryu Yeon-woo called Jung Su-yeon.

 

The ringtone didn’t last long before Jung Su-yeon quickly answered the phone.

 

– Yeah. Yeon-woo. I was just about to call you.

“Huh? You were about to call?”

 

Su-yeon spoke in a joyful voice in response to Yeon-woo’s question.

 

– Yeah. The agency suddenly notified me that they would terminate my contract! Originally they threatened that they wouldn’t let me work for the remaining period.

“Ah, I see. Congratulations, really. Su-yeon. That’s a relief, right?”

– Really. It feels like shackles that were binding me have been removed.

 

Thanks to Su-yeon bringing up what he was going to ask about first, they just had some light chat before hanging up.

 

‘This definitely seems fishy.’

 

Meanwhile, Min-su’s car arrived at the officetel.

 

Even though the car had arrived and stopped, Min-su called out to Yeon-woo who was still lost in thought.

 

“We’ve arrived, sir.”

“Ah, right. Thank you for your hard work, Min-su hyung.”

“Um, sir. Please don’t be too disheartened.”

 

Yeon-woo’s contemplative appearance must have seemed like he was deeply upset to Min-su.

 

Yeon-woo smiled gently and said he understood.

 

After saying goodbye to Min-su and going up to the officetel, Yeon-woo began searching for information about drug cases on his computer.

 

Separate from this An Jun-ho incident, it felt like drug cases were frequently occurring in the entertainment industry lately.

 

Even with “Summer’s Closet” where he debuted, he had heard at a company dinner that if there hadn’t been a drug incident, Cha Woo-ju’s role was originally set to go to an idol-turned-actor named Jung Min-ho.

 

Entertainment industry, drugs, sponsorship.

Yeon-woo’s instincts kept picking up something ominous.

During his agent days, whenever he felt like this, things always went in a bad direction.

 

It felt like something was about to click, but one puzzle piece was missing in the middle.

 

Bzzzz—.

 

Just then, Yeon-woo’s smartphone rang.

 

Checking the caller ID, it was a number he deliberately didn’t save for security reasons but recognized.

It was Han Hae-woon’s smartphone number.

 

He and Han Hae-woon had agreed to communicate using a secure application, so calling meant something bad or urgent.

 

Yeon-woo answered the phone.

 

“This is Ryu Yeon-woo.”

– …Team Leader, I… need… some help right now.

 

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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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