NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 88

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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 88. Comet

Through the ongoing debates, the court officials were split exactly into two factions.

It was embarrassing to even call it factions, as only Seo Hee and Lee Ji-baek refused to follow the surrender advocates.

 

Meanwhile, a scene of Xiao Sunning insisting that a minister be sent to meet face-to-face, whether for surrender or negotiation, appeared, and the court fell into deep contemplation again.

 

Director Lee Sang-hoon deliberately portrayed the court fallen into silence with several seconds of stillness.

He cut the officials’ upper bodies from the frame and filmed only the floor of the great hall and the officials’ feet with cold colors.

 

A screen that coldly depicted the reality where no one could muster courage.

 

Soon the scene reversed, showing the night when young Seo Hee decided to confess his feelings to Hong Ui-yeon under the moonlight.

 

‘If one step back leads to ten thousand steps back, then if we cannot take one step forward, how can we ever take ten thousand steps forward?’

 

Then the old Seo Hee standing in the court slowly stepped forward.

 

In this scene, Yeon-woo deliberately acted not as a righteous hero’s stride, but as the weak and trembling steps of an aged and frail Seo Hee stepping forward.

 

‘This drama wasn’t meant to show Seo Hee’s heroic aspects. From the beginning, it focused on following Seo Hee’s life and showing his human side to captivate viewers.’

 

That single step became a scene where human anguish could be felt, as someone voluntarily moves toward what might be death, thanks to Yeon-woo’s acting choice.

 

“Please send this servant Seo Hee to the battlefield.”

“…My lord?”

 

Soon Seo Hee raised his head with determination and spoke firmly.

 

“Since the enemy commander wanted a minister, shouldn’t a minister go? Your Majesty.”

 

The screen transitioned and a very subtle echo was added to make Seo Hee’s words linger.

 

After that, a scene flowed where the king personally came out to the riverside, held Seo Hee’s hand, and comforted him and his wife Hong Ui-yeon, finally leading to the drama’s ending.

 

The beginning of the story that ordinary people know about Seo Hee.

However, the beginning of that story is the end of this drama.

 

“Ahhh, it’s finally coming out.”

 

Seo Ji-eun was so nervous she covered her small face with her hands and watched TV through the gaps between her fingers.

The other staff members also watched the end of this long journey with trembling eyes.

 

Majestic music that felt like drifting alone through the vast universe played as a single horse galloping through the sand desert was captured in a long shot.

 

Then the camera approached and zoomed in on that horse, capturing Yeon-woo’s expressionless eyes trying not to show emotion, before the camera rose upward again.

 

Rather than a tragic or brave expression, Yeon-woo’s restrained acting made the anguish of one person rushing toward an enemy camp with tens or hundreds of thousands of enemy soldiers feel deeply moving.

 

“Ohhh.”

 

As the camera turned toward the sky again showing a long shot, loud exclamations burst out in the BBQ restaurant where the wrap party was being held.

 

In the distance, a massive army could be seen stationed, and Seo Hee’s figure crossing alone through the vast desert, raising dust like a sandstorm, was like a comet cutting through the quiet night sky, leaving a long tail as it headed toward distant space.

 

And with the end of the majestic music, the screen went black for a moment and a logo appeared on screen.

 

「Stars Beyond the River」

 

The staff rose from their seats.

 

Clap clap clap!

Wahhh!

 

The staff cheered and gave generous standing ovations to Director Lee Sang-hoon and Ryu Yeon-woo.

Beside them, Seo Ji-eun and Jin Yu-han also smiled and gave thumbs up to Yeon-woo.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Yeon-woo stood up and bowed in all directions.

 

Thus he finished his first leading role drama.

 

***

 

“Ugh…”

 

He groggily got up from bed, holding his head.

 

“…I drank a lot. It’s been a while.”

 

Since being assigned to the overseas department, he couldn’t let his guard down at any time, so he never drank until he was drunk.

 

And since his reincarnation, he was a minor, and after becoming an adult, he continuously filmed works, so he moderated his drinking even at company dinners thinking about the next day’s schedule.

 

But yesterday, having finished his first drama as a leading actor, Yeon-woo went around tables drinking whatever the staff poured for him until he was quite intoxicated.

 

“Ugh, it’s really been a while since I felt this. A hangover.”

 

He walked slowly and sluggishly to the refrigerator and drank water.

Then he lay back down on the bed and picked up his smartphone.

 

He only heard that the final viewership rating was recorded at 27 percent and didn’t have time to check internet reactions.

 

‘Hmm, let’s see.’

 

The final episode’s highlights were already uploaded to the official NeTube account.

 

– Ahh, please don’t end. Yeon-woo!

– The ending scene is insane for real. Sigh, my standards are too high now, what drama can I watch.

– The final episode is really movie-level quality.

– I really enjoyed watching it. It’s a shame we won’t be able to see the Ryu Yeon-woo-Jin Yu-han-Seo Ji-eun combination anymore.

– So did Seo Hee run into enemy territory knowing he would die? Is it a sad ending?

└ How about studying some history? Don’t you know about diplomatic negotiations?

 

As I scrolled down reading the comments, the overall reaction was as good as I had expected.

 

After checking the comment reactions, I went through the flood of congratulatory texts and KakaoTalk messages that had poured into Yeon-woo’s phone last night celebrating the final episode.

 

– Han So-hyeon: Yeon-woo! You must have had a hard time with the historical drama. I’m also going to film ‘Flowers Falling in Hanyang’…

– Woo Seong-sik: Wow, that last scene was amazing. You look like a professional horseback rider.

– Kim Ju-hyeong: I enjoyed watching the drama! But how did you film that last desert chase scene? I’m curious about the filming method…

– Son Jin-wook: You little rascal, my younger sibling’s acting has improved tremendously, hasn’t it? We should work on a project together, right?

– Kim Jin-ju: Yeon-woo. You’ll really do it if the company allows it, right? Please. This auntie is crying right now.

 

As I checked the grateful names and sent replies one by one, there was a message that made me tilt my head in confusion.

 

‘Writer Kim Jin-ju? What promise did we make yesterday?’

 

I definitely remembered saying something and nodding that I should discuss it with the company.

 

“Ah! The signing event.”

 

Only then did I recall Writer Kim Jin-ju’s desperate request yesterday with a face full of worry.

 

 

The book “Stars Beyond the Stream” was being published simultaneously with the drama’s finale, and the publishing company had earnestly requested to hold a writer’s signing event.

 

“But who would come to get an autograph from someone like me? They’re holding it at the biggest bookstore in Gangnam, but what if only flies show up? How embarrassing would that be for the organizers? Sigh.”

 

Writer Kim Jin-ju drank continuously, then grabbed Yeon-woo’s hand tightly and bowed her head as she made her request.

 

“I know this is ridiculous, but if you happen to have any fan signing events planned, could you possibly do it together with me? I’ll just sit next to you as a tag-along, and if anyone brings a book, I’ll sign it too. Please? You’re the protagonist of my book.”

 

Yeon-woo looked at Writer Kim Jin-ju’s desperate expression.

 

“Hmm, I think this work was so good that if you hold a signing event, many people will come?”

“No. I’ve held a writer’s signing event before, and it was so empty it gave me trauma. Sob.”

 

Looking at Writer Kim Jin-ju who seemed about to cry, Yeon-woo stroked his chin and said.

 

“Hmm, I was told I should do a fan signing event or fan meeting soon anyway. Let me ask my agency once.”

“Please.”

 

 

Yeon-woo nodded as he recalled yesterday’s conversation.

 

“Well, if I’m going to do it anyway, it wouldn’t hurt to do it together. There’s a fan cafe and fans of the work too.”

 

Getting up from bed, Yeon-woo made a phone call.

 

– Oh, Yeon-woo. Congratulations. The drama finished airing, right?

“Thank you, Team Leader Jeong. You mentioned before that you were scheduling my fan meeting or signing event.”

 

Team Leader Jeong checked his schedule for a moment before responding to Yeon-woo’s words.

 

– Hmm, we haven’t scheduled anything yet. We’ll probably have to do it after the commercial film schedule is set. Of course, we need to do it soon.

“Then how about this? Writer Kim Jin-ju asked me yesterday…”

 

Yeon-woo explained yesterday’s conversation, and Team Leader Jeong listened quietly before speaking.

 

– That sounds good? It felt awkward to just hold a fan signing event since you’re not an idol group, but doing it together with the writer as a publication commemoration would have a nice feel. You’re the protagonist of the original work after all. Hold on.

 

Team Leader Jeong seemed to be checking something before continuing.

 

– We’ll need to coordinate this with Writer Kim’s publishing company, but honestly, they’ll welcome it with open arms. If the hottest star of the moment agrees to do it.

“Then please coordinate it that way. Seeing Writer Kim Jin-ju’s desperate expression, she seems really worried.”

– Even if she did it alone, it wouldn’t be that empty…? Anyway, I’ll handle it that way and let you know the results.

 

Shortly after finishing the coordination, Team Leader Jeong conveyed the details to Yeon-woo and Writer Kim Jin-ju, and Writer Kim Jin-ju called Yeon-woo to repeatedly thank him, as relieved as if a painful tooth had been pulled.

 

 

– [Notice] Actor Ryu Yeon-woo – Writer Kim Jin-ju “Stars Beyond the Stream” Fan Signing Event Information

Author: [Manager] Yeo Nu-ji-na

 

The post regeneration speed exploded with this major announcement posted on Yeon-woo’s fan cafe, Woods.

 

– Kyaa! Does a fan signing event mean we get to do it face-to-face like with idols?

– Our actor, if we give you headbands or hats like idols, would you wear them?

– Ah, my heart is already exploding. I already pre-ordered the book anyway. I’m definitely taking a day off to go.

– Why is it on a weekday! I’m planning to be severely ill that day too.

 

 

A few days later, on the day of the fan signing event, an incredibly long line stretched out in front of the Gangnam bookstore from morning.

 

The wise staff, upon hearing that Ryu Yeon-woo would be joining, worried that regular bookstore customers might be inconvenienced, so they decorated an empty store that had been used as a storage shed for books and created a separate entrance exclusively for the fan signing event, and the line in front of it stretched outside the building from morning.

 

Inside the event hall, Writer Kim Jin-ju and Ryu Yeon-woo sat at separate tables with some distance between them.

 

“Yeon-woo, thank you so, so much. Just tell me when you need anything and I’ll do whatever you want!”

“Just writing such a good work is already enough, Writer. I was planning to hold a fan signing event anyway.”

 

And finally, the fan signing event began.

 

“Wow, this is amazing.”

 

The first fan entered carrying a book, following the guidance staff.

 

First, as instructed, she went to Writer Kim Jin-ju to get the book signed.

 

“Writer, this drama was so interesting. I also love your previous work ‘The Scent of Time.'”

“Oh my, really? Thank you so much.”

“I brought that book too, could you sign it for me?”

“Of course. Please give it to me.”

 

The fan rummaged through her bag and pulled out Writer Kim Jin-ju’s previous work.

 

Watching this, Yeon-woo thought it was fortunate that Writer Kim Jin-ju seemed to have more fans than expected.

 

However, even while getting an autograph from Writer Kim Jin-ju on her previous work, the fan kept glancing at Yeon-woo as if drawn by a magnet, unable to resist, and her face turned red.

 

“Thank you for reading it enjoyably.”

“Thank you, Writer!”

 

The fan bowed and walked over to Yeon-woo following the guidance.

 

She already looked like she was about to cry as she walked over.

 

“Sniff, amazing. Is this real person right in front of me?”

 

When Yeon-woo smiled and extended his hand, she grasped it tightly with both hands.

 

“Hello.”

“Ah. I really feel like crying. I’ve been waiting since five in the morning.”

 

At her pure reaction, Yeon-woo smiled and signed her book, then asked.

 

“It must have been so cold. Besides the autograph, is there anything else you want, like a selfie?”

“…Would you perhaps grant other requests too?”

“If it’s something I can do, I’ll do it for you.”

 

When Yeon-woo nodded with a smile, the fan rummaged through her bag again and pulled out something else.

 

‘Hm? Isn’t that a Rudolf headband?’

 

Manager Kim Min-su, who was standing behind Yeon-woo, took it instead.

Since he had managed a girl group at another talent agency before taking charge of Yeon-woo, he was well familiar with this culture.

 

The fan service culture where they wear hats or headbands that fans want and show desired expressions or cute acts.

 

“Please do aegyo just once!”

 

Yeon-woo instantly froze and cold sweat began to flow down his back.

 

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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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