NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 71

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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 71. Lotus

“But Team Leader, why are both Baeksol and Old Man Baek surnamed Baek? My previous life was Baek Yu-hyeon too.”

 

At Han Hae-woon’s words, Yeon-woo chuckled softly.

 

“Old Man Baek isn’t surnamed Baek. It’s Back. He’s incredibly good at running away. Or maybe they call him that because he always stays in the back.”

“Oh, is that so? English combined with Chinese characters, how strange.”

 

Han Hae-woon continued speaking.

 

“Still, this time that Back might become the backing that supports us from behind. Old Man Baek says the debt he owes you, Team Leader, can’t be repaid with just stories about the past, so he’ll provide maximum support with information and manpower. He says he’s lived long enough anyway, and if Baeksol is still around, he wants to get revenge.”

“Old Man Baek is excellent at running away, but I heard that’s exactly why he’s survived long in this world and has quite a solid foundation. He’ll be helpful. But don’t trust him too much.”

 

Han Hae-woon nodded and asked again.

 

“But what was this favor you did for him, Team Leader? Old Man Baek was extremely devoted to you.”

“It’s nothing special. I once saved his granddaughter.”

“…What? How is that nothing special?”

 

When Yeon-woo was in charge of the domestic division in his previous life, Old Man Baek, whom he often used as an informant, had his family in danger due to an opposing organization’s attack plan, and he had pleaded to save his granddaughter, so Yeon-woo helped her immigrate to America.

 

At that time, he had only helped because he needed a good relationship with his informant, but for the one who received help, it wouldn’t have been such a light favor.

 

“Oh, and about Byeon Hak-gyu and An Jun-ho you mentioned, Team Leader. Plus Ten Entertainment.”

 

At Han Hae-woon’s words, Yeon-woo looked at him.

 

“Yeah, did you find anything?”

“First, regarding An Jun-ho, the investigation results haven’t been announced yet, but it seems trace amounts of the type that’s mixed into alcohol were detected. It wasn’t a direct injection method, and he claims he didn’t know and just drank the alcohol he was given.”

 

Listening to Han Hae-woon’s words, Yeon-woo nodded. He didn’t seem like that kind of person, so there was a possibility he had fallen into a trap.

 

“What do you think the punishment will be?”

“Since it’s his first offense and the opposing lawyer is also someone well-versed in this area, the internal opinion at the Prosecutor’s Office is that he’ll likely get a suspended prosecution. Still, since he’s a celebrity, he won’t be able to recover his damaged image.”

 

Yeon-woo nodded after hearing Han Hae-woon’s words. It seemed he would need to meet with An Jun-ho separately later.

 

“And about CEO Byeon Hak-gyu. Recently, Plus Ten was split into several subsidiaries, and those subsidiaries are suspicious. Various incidents in the entertainment industry these days are breaking out from those companies.”

 

Seeing Yeon-woo listening silently and thinking about something, Han Hae-woon added.

 

“And about ‘Stars Beyond the Stream’ that you’re currently filming.”

“Hmm?”

 

At the unexpected words from Han Hae-woon’s mouth, Yeon-woo stopped thinking and looked at him.

 

“One of the actors from Plus Ten’s subsidiaries is also appearing in that work. Someone named Park Kyung-wan.”

“Park Kyung-wan? Hmm.”

 

Park Kyung-wan was the person who had subtly picked a fight during the last action scene filming.

 

He was an actor who would appear in a fairly impactful supporting role in the content from episode 12 onward, which they were starting to film at the special set. Originally, he had been a member of the special filming team but recently started taking on roles with dialogue in a few works.

 

After he had obviously picked a fight, Yeon-woo had thought to be careful, but since there were no particular movements, he was gradually losing interest…

 

After Han Hae-woon finished reporting all the investigation details and today’s matters with Old Man Baek, he left saying he had business in Incheon, and Yeon-woo returned home, organized his thoughts, and fell asleep.

 

***

 

When the next day dawned, Yeon-woo drove down to Daejeon himself and became a conversation partner for his mother, who had now retired and was staying at home, and before he knew it, evening had arrived.

 

“What, is oppa home?”

“Those are Yeon-woo’s shoes?”

 

The front door opened and he heard his father’s and younger sibling’s voices.

It seemed his younger sibling’s school had ended and father had picked her up and returned.

 

“Welcome home, Father.”

“I should be the one saying that. It’s been a while since you came down, my son.”

“Oppa! There’s a huge pile of autograph requests. Last time when oppa came to pick me up at school, the rumors spread everywhere. You absolutely have to do them all before you leave.”

 

With all four family members gathered at home for the first time in a while, it became noisy and seemed to come alive with energy.

 

“Alright. I’ll do a million of them before I go.”

 

Yeon-woo ruffled So-hyeon’s hair and laughed.

 

“Everyone eat. The kimchi stew is ready.”

“Yes. I’ll wash my hands and come.”

 

Father and So-hyeon went into the restroom to wash their hands, and Yeon-woo sat at the dining table early and set out the spoon and chopsticks.

 

In a way, the glamorous life of dressing up in a tuxedo as an actor and participating in award ceremonies was similar to experiences he had sometimes had in his previous life when participating as a diplomat in high-class foreign parties.

 

Rather, it was from these ordinary daily moments that Yeon-woo felt once again that he was living a different life from his previous one.

 

Looking at his father and younger sibling who washed their hands and came to sit down, Yeon-woo smiled pleasantly.

 

“What, oppa, why are you smiling? Did I gain weight?”

“What weight gain. You need to eat more.”

 

Looking at the kimchi stew with steam rising from it, Yeon-woo made a stronger resolution.

 

‘Whoever they are, I will absolutely never let this life be taken away. Absolutely never.’

 

 

After finishing the enjoyable meal and chatting warmly with his family, it was already almost time for the drama to start.

 

Ryu So-hyeon sat on the sofa with her smartphone in hand to watch the real-time chat along with the drama.

 

So-hyeon was looking at not only the usual green chat windows but also open KakaoTalk chat rooms.

Most were members of Ryu Yeon-woo or Jin Yu-han’s fan cafes, or people who became fans of “Stars Beyond Garam” after watching episode 1 yesterday.

 

– Ooh it’s starting now!

– Amazing, what scenes will assault my heart today

– Heart pounding

– I never thought I’d watch KBC Channel 1 live at the right time

 

So-hyeon was watching the real-time chats when the logo announcing the drama’s start appeared, so she took her eyes off her smartphone and looked at the TV screen with her family.

 

“Oppa, what’s today’s content about?”

“This kid really. What’s the fun in knowing beforehand.”

“Mom doesn’t like getting spoiled? That’s what you call a spoiler.”

 

Mom chuckled at So-hyeon’s words.

 

“Mom knows that much too, you know? I got hit by a fandom traffic accident because of our son.”

“Ooh. Amazing.”

 

Yeon-woo’s mother Lee Seon-ok’s daily routine these days consists of looking up videos related to her son at home and checking what the fan cafe is saying.

 

In the process, she’s naturally learning fandom terminology and internet culture bit by bit.

 

“Geez. Stop with the traffic accidents and spoilers and focus on the TV. Our son is coming on.”

 

At father’s words, the family began focusing on the TV again.

 

 

“Today I shall give you one question. Think deeply and give me your answer this afternoon.”

 

They each received and opened the problem given by their teacher Wang Ham-yoon.

 

– Go outside and find what kind of person you want to become like as you live in this world.

 

Hong Ui-yeon’s face brightened as she opened the letter and asked teacher Wang Ham-yoon.

 

“Then we can go outside today?”

“Yes, go out together, look around, and come back this afternoon to answer.”

 

Hong Ui-yeon’s face brightened at those words and she jumped up.

Soon she was urging and shaking Seo Hee and Lee Ji-baek who were sitting beside her.

 

“Wow! Let’s go, let’s go! Hurry up and go out, young masters. I saw willow plum blossoms everywhere on the way here.”

 

Seo Hee and Lee Ji-baek got up in confusion and were dragged out by Hong Ui-yeon.

Wang Ham-yoon watched the three of them from behind with a pleased smile.

 

“How can they be so innocent, upright, and pure.”

 

The screen then showed Hong Ui-yeon going out to Market Street, dragging Seo Hee and Lee Ji-baek around while trying on accessories, then transitioned to the three of them walking by a quiet pond side.

 

Seo Hee and Lee Ji-baek quietly watched Hong Ui-yeon running around laughing brightly in the flower field.

 

“Tsk tsk. How can she be so frivolous, showing no manners from our first meeting until now.”

“Haha. Master Seo, why do you dislike Lady Hong so much?”

“Well, it’s not that I dislike her exactly…”

 

Seo Hee scratched his cheek and mumbled at Lee Ji-baek’s words. Watching him, Lee Ji-baek asked again.

 

“Master Seo, have you thought about what you want to become?”

“Well, I’m still thinking it over carefully. What about you?”

“I want to become like that flowing river water over there. I want to flow endlessly and see the wide world.”

“That’s an answer that suits you.”

 

Seo Hee nodded after hearing Lee Ji-baek’s words.

Hong Ui-yeon approached the two after looking at flowers in the flower field and asked.

 

“What are you talking about?”

“We were thinking about the problem our teacher gave us. Lady Hong, have you decided what kind of person you want to become like?”

 

Seo Hee answered instead at Lee Ji-baek’s words.

 

“How about becoming a young foal? You run around so well every day.”

“I do not!”

 

Hong Ui-yeon glared at Seo Hee while fuming, then looked at a woman sitting far away by the riverside drawing water and spoke.

 

“I want to become like river water. A precious person who helps everyone.”

 

At that answer, Lee Ji-baek’s eyes showed interest and Seo Hee looked on with curiosity.

 

“You two gave the same answer. But the reasons are completely different.”

 

After that, the scenes of Seo Hee, Lee Ji-baek, and Hong Ui-yeon going around various places enjoying themselves were like a video pictorial.

In the midst of this, scenes showed Lee Ji-baek’s eyes seeming to drip honey as he continued watching Hong Ui-yeon, revealing that romantic feelings had developed.

 

 

Watching Jin Yu-han’s acting, younger sister So-hyeon was mesmerized as if being sucked into the screen.

 

“Wow, what’s with that look in his eyes. I’m getting butterflies. Oppa, I have a favor to ask.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Please get me Jin Yu-han’s autograph.”

 

Then mother glared at So-hyeon slightly.

 

“Ah, why! He’s handsome. I can become a fan.”

“Who said anything? Get me one too, son.”

“Haha. Got it.”

 

So-hyeon was curious about the internet reaction, so she looked at the chat window again, but it was the opposite of her expectations.

 

– Ah. This is crazy. I was originally a Jin Yu-han fan, but from today I’m taking Ryu Yeon-woo with me too.

└ That’s mine, what do you mean you’re taking him? I’m reporting this.

– Is this a drama or a photo shoot?

– I’m so jealous of Seo Ji-eun.

– Ryu Yeon-woo’s visuals are insane. For real.

 

“Hm? On the internet, oppa is more popular.”

“Really?”

 

Showing interest in So-hyeon’s words, Father and Mother came over and snatched So-hyeon’s smartphone.

 

“Ah, why are you doing that? Dad and Mom can just watch on your own smartphones.”

“We don’t know where to go.”

“What don’t you know! Mom, you’re on the computer looking at fan cafes all day long.”

 

***

 

At KBC1’s Drama Department, Director Hwang Cheol-young and Director Lee Sang-hoon are also staring intently at the TV.

 

– Yes, you both want to become people like a strong river. Then what kind of person does Seo Hee want to become?

– I want to become a person like a lotus flower.

– A lotus flower…? A man calling himself a flower, what is your reason?

 

Ryu Yeon-woo appeared with his handsome features and resonant voice, delivering his lines as if they echoed in one’s heart.

 

– A lotus flower blooms through the mud and lives its entire life in the dirt, yet never becomes stained by that filth. I want to become that kind of person.

 

With those words, the screen briefly showed Hong Ui-yeon and Lee Ji-baek’s faces before immediately transitioning.

 

On screen appeared a masked figure burning down a thatched cottage.

 

Then the camera pulled back to a wide shot and rose upward, showing fires breaking out throughout Gaegyeong accompanied by tense music.

 

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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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