NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 9

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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 9. Summer’s Closet Script Reading (1)

Several days had passed since signing the appearance contract with LN Media.

 

“Hmm, come to think of it.”

 

A problem I had never once considered since deciding to live a new life.

 

‘What happened to my assets from my past life as Jeon Su-hwan?’

 

While actual deaths in action were rare, field agents entering dangerous operational areas where their lives were at risk would set up inheritance arrangements for their severance pay and assets through state-managed non-profit foundations, and establish liens on their credits and debts in advance.

 

Since Yeon-woo had been in the overseas department for 10 years before his death and rarely entered the country, he had no home domestically, and most of the residences he used in operational areas were safe houses provided by the Embassy.

 

‘The cash in my accounts should have been in the hundreds of millions. How did I designate it again.’

 

Yeon-woo, who had been thinking deeply, clapped his hands.

 

“Love and Hope House.”

 

Love and Hope House was a long-established child welfare facility located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, operated by a Convent – the care facility where Yeon-woo’s past life ‘Jeon Su-hwan’ had grown up.

 

The inheritance beneficiary that Jeon Su-hwan had set up in his early thirties when he was assigned to the overseas department was ‘Love and Hope House’.

 

Having thought that far, he became curious whether the donation had been properly carried out.

 

After all, wasn’t it money that had accumulated as compensation for a lifetime of risking his life serving the country?

 

Yeon-woo picked up his Smartphone and pondered for a while before calling the number listed on the internet.

Information about agents after death was handled as top secret among top secrets, and was even randomized with codes that even the National Intelligence Service couldn’t access and processed automatically, so there was no particular danger.

 

Ring ring ring—.

 

– Yes. This is Love and Hope House.

 

The voice of a female staff member he’d never heard before.

 

It was natural since over twenty years had passed since Yeon-woo from his past life had left the orphanage.

 

“Ah, thank you for your hard work. I called to make an inquiry about something.”

– Yes. Please go ahead.

“By any chance, do you know if there was a donation made under the name ‘Jeon Su-hwan’ last year, that is, in 2017?”

– Yes. There was. Our donation records are transparently disclosed on the internet as well? How strange. Today someone asked the same question···.

 

Yeon-woo heard the staff member’s last words and asked back.

 

“The same question?”

– Yes. This morning a prosecutor also asked about Mr. Jeon Su-hwan’s donation records?

 

‘My donation records···?’

 

“Do you happen to remember that prosecutor’s name?”

– No. I don’t remember. I only remember that he said he was from Busan District Prosecutor’s Office.

 

Yeon-woo tilted his head and continued speaking for now.

 

“I understand. Thank you for letting me know. Take care.”

– Yes.

 

After hanging up, Yeon-woo sat there lost in thought.

 

‘My donation records from Busan District Prosecutor’s Office···? Why?’

 

He had no connection to Busan while alive, and even if he had, his personal information after death would be classified and managed as ordinarily as any civilian with fabricated content.

 

‘There’s no way to find out right now.’

 

Even if someone had doubts about Jeon Su-hwan’s life or conducted an investigation, he was already dead and had no family or friends who would be harmed by it.

 

And finding a connection to the reincarnated Yeon-woo was impossible from the start, so it didn’t really matter.

 

It just sparked curiosity.

 

“I’ll look into it discreetly later when I have the chance.”

 

***

 

Time passed like that, and before he knew it, the day of the first script reading was approaching.

 

When he explained the situation to School and submitted an Absence Form, his friends were puzzled.

 

“Of course we knew you were attending an acting academy, but you’re even skipping School to go?”

 

Yeon-woo smiled and answered Jun-su’s question.

 

“Yeah, I received an official document, and while it might be difficult to get attendance credit, I think it’ll probably be processed as early leave.”

“Where are you performing? A friend’s older brother I know also came from your academy and performed at a small theater.”

“Um, it’s not something like that···, I’ll let you know when things progress a bit more.”

 

Since filming hadn’t even started yet, it seemed better to tell his friends when the broadcast date was approaching rather than seeming to show off or make a big fuss unnecessarily.

 

Then Seong-sik in the front seat turned his head.

 

“By the way, you’re in the top ranks of the entire School, so won’t your grade point average be deducted if you can’t attend?”

“···I’m not sure? I’ve never thought about that aspect.”

 

In fact, having gone to university under the 5th curriculum, the current educational system felt disconnected to Yeon-woo, and he wasn’t very interested in it either.

 

“You’re really a strange guy. If I had those grades, I’d stake my life on my grade point average. Sigh. I suddenly feel depressed.”

“University···, actually I’m not really interested, but if I have to go, I’ll just go through regular admissions.”

 

Right now, Yeon-woo has no interest in university or school life, as his acting career is what’s important to him.

 

“Still, we’re going to be third-years soon. My older brother told me this: if you blink once, you’ll be going to college in no time, and then off to the military just as fast.”

 

“···Huh?”

 

Yeon-woo was stunned for a moment.

Incredibly, since his reincarnation, he had never once thought about military service.

 

“···I haven’t served yet?”

“What are you talking about now. We’re eighteen years old.”

“Right···, I guess I should go to university first. Or maybe even graduate school.”

 

Watching Yeon-woo alternate between saying stupid things and obvious things, Kim Jun-su and Woo Seong-sik tilted their heads in confusion.

 

***

 

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

 

On a different floor of the building where he had auditioned last time.

Ryu Yeon-woo, who had been sitting alone in the middle of a spacious meeting room, jumped up and greeted the staff members as they entered.

 

“Oh my, you look like an actor, but why did you come so early? We’re just starting to set up.”

 

The staff scattered and busily prepared to film the full script reading.

These days, uploading such making-of videos before broadcast to attract viewer interest is essential.

 

“Hello!”

 

Yeon-woo went around every corner of the meeting room, greeting everyone from the filming team to the makeup team.

 

“That kid, he’s really polite, isn’t he?”

“Right. Kids these days usually come right on time and act awkward. How long has it been since someone came to us first to say hello?”

 

Crossing his arms, cinematographer Kang In-chan continued.

 

“Hmm, it’s not that today’s actors have bad character, they’re just shy. My son does the same thing whenever I take him somewhere.”

 

Kang In-chan, a veteran cinematographer with 20 years of experience, naturally found himself comparing his son to Yeon-woo, who was tall, handsome, and polite to boot.

 

Meanwhile, in the makeup room, Ju-hee, who was there for outsourced makeup work, clasped her hands to her chest.

 

“···His name was Ryu Yeon-woo, right?”

“Yeah. I’m thinking of joining his fan club or fan cafe starting today.”

 

At Ju-hee’s words, her colleague chuckled softly.

 

“He’s a rookie actor. He probably doesn’t have those yet.”

“Then I’ll make one.”

 

Since the lead actors would do making-of interviews after finishing the reading, the makeup team was on standby for simple makeup, but seeing Yeon-woo suddenly enter the waiting room to greet them, Ju-hee was instantly smitten.

 

“But that actor wasn’t wearing any makeup, right? Ah, such honey skin. I hope I get to do his makeup today.”

“Would a rookie have a separate interview? I don’t think he’ll need makeup today. Isn’t he probably a supporting or minor role?”

“I guess so.”

 

About an hour later, with roughly 30 minutes left before the reading would begin.

Actors and staff members entered the meeting room.

 

People who had worked on previous projects together or had personal connections gathered in groups, asking after each other and chatting.

 

“What role does that person who came to greet us earlier play? I don’t think I’ve seen him before.”

 

Son Jin-wook, the actor playing the male lead ‘Kang Seo-jun’ in this drama, asked the nearby actors.

 

“I’m not sure. He said his name was Ryu Yeon-woo, right? Let me see.”

 

Lee Jae-seong, who was looking around at the name plates in front of the actor seats, searched from the back and found Ryu Yeon-woo’s name at the very front.

 

“Jin-wook sunbae. He’s sitting across from you?”

“Hmm? Was he cast as a lead? I heard the lead casting was finished. If he’s supporting, is he playing Hwang Jae-il?”

“Ah, sunbae. I’m playing Hwang Jae-il. We chatted briefly at the audition, but I wonder what role he’s playing.”

 

An Jun-ho, who was cast as Jae-il, lightly raised his hand from right beside them.

 

“Actors and staff, we’ll be starting soon, so please take your seats.”

 

Just then, the assistant director’s announcement came, and everyone began finding their seats.

 

When Yeon-woo returned from the restroom and sat across from him, Son Jin-wook greeted him with a smile.

 

“We greeted each other earlier, right? Please take care of me. What role are you playing?”

“Ah, sunbae. Hello. I’m playing Cha Woo-ju.”

 

When Yeon-woo responded with a bright smile, Son Jin-wook tilted his head.

 

“Ah, I see. I heard Jung Min-hwan was cast for that role.”

“I heard he had to drop out due to circumstances. Please take care of me, sunbae!”

 

Watching Yeon-woo greet him so politely, Jin-wook smiled warmly.

 

“This is a campus drama, so I was already feeling insecure, but what am I supposed to do when they cast such a handsome guy? I’m thirty now.”

 

Looking at Yeon-woo’s youthful face, Son Jin-wook joked around.

 

Then Han So-hyeon, the actress playing Jung Yeo-reum who was sitting next to him, playfully patted Jin-wook’s shoulder to console him.

 

“Come on, you played a college student in your last movie too. Stop complaining. I’m the one who should worry – I’m twenty-eight. My character is twenty. Sigh.”

 

Watching Han So-hyeon, Ryu Yeon-woo bowed his head politely.

 

“Hello. Senior, I’m rookie actor Ryu Yeon-woo.”

“Nice to meet you. You look exactly like I imagined Woo-ju from the drama would look. So it feels somehow familiar.”

“My younger sister’s name is also So-hyeon, so I feel familiar too, senior.”

 

So-hyeon nodded at Yeon-woo’s appearance as he answered with an eye smile and gentle voice.

 

“Ah, I see. But what’s with the ‘senior’ thing? Just speak comfortably. How old are you…?”

“I’m eighteen.”

“…A minor?”

 

Her eyes widened in surprise.

 

The supporting actors and filming set staff who had been listening to the conversation of the lead actors who would carry this drama forward felt the same way.

 

When you think about it, since the character in the drama was twenty years old, Yeon-woo with only a two-year difference was actually the closest.

 

However, even though he looked a bit young, they hadn’t expected him to be a minor.

 

“By the time the drama ends, I think I’ll be a high school senior.”

“What? There’s a whole ten-year age gap between us. What should I do?”

“This is bad, I’m going to end up competing with a high school student over Yeo-reum. Oh no.”

 

When Son Jin-wook and Han So-hyeon joked around, the people on set who had been listening to the three’s conversation chuckled.

 

Just then, Director Kim Han-su and writer Choi Mi-hyeon entered the meeting room, and all the actors and staff turned their attention to them.

 

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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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