NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 91

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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 91. 「Sketch」 Crank-in

In front of Yeon-woo was not fancy and expensive cuisine, but simply a bowl of well-stewed samgyetang.

Of course, though it was called samgyetang, the ingredients inside looked quite extraordinary.

 

“I merely acted, yet you’re treating me so well. Thank you.”

“This old man was moved even though it was just acting. I don’t know how many years it’s been since I sat down to watch a drama with my granddaughter. No, watching TV with Hye-ah might have been the first time, not just after many years.”

 

Seo Seon-hye, Seo Tae-gwang’s granddaughter who had felt distant from her grandfather, became much closer to him while watching the hot historical drama mixed with romantic comedy.

 

Seo Tae-gwang was also pleased as his relationship with his granddaughter, who would soon be married, became smoother.

 

While eating samgyetang, Yeon-woo deduced Chairman Seo Tae-gwang’s true intentions.

 

The people who run major domestic corporations that he had investigated while handling the Domestic Division in his past life were not such easy-going people.

 

Of course, there was a possibility he had sought out Yeon-woo with pure goodwill, but it certainly wouldn’t be just that.

He was already a seasoned major star in the business world.

There must definitely be another intention.

 

‘Chairman Seo Tae-gwang’s Ihan Group has numerous subsidiaries. Among them, why Ihan Technology?’

 

If he had wanted to make a commercial film offer for the reasons mentioned earlier, he could have made the offer through other subsidiaries.

Ihan Group is a conglomerate that has numerous subsidiaries from construction companies to oil refinery companies, expanding into various fields like an octopus during the economic development period.

 

‘A hero who saved the country from a precarious crisis, that hero’s descendant, defense industry company, recent government audit…’

 

Yeon-woo organized his thoughts while recalling numerous keywords and the domestic political situation.

Just then, Chairman Seo opened his mouth.

 

“Do you happen to know why I paid you such an excessive amount?”

“…I believe you want to imprint an image onto Ihan Group through me.”

“Hmm?”

 

Chairman Seo Tae-gwang, who had been tearing off a leg of the samgyetang with chopsticks, opened his eyes wide upon hearing Yeon-woo’s words.

 

“An image?”

“If I’m being presumptuous, I apologize. I’m just a rookie actor, and while I’m grateful that you value me so highly, I was also curious about the reason.”

 

Chairman Seo now put down his chopsticks and looked at Yeon-woo with interest, his fingers interlaced.

 

“Continue.”

“So I tried to use my inadequate brain, and after seeing Master Seo Hui’s portrait today, I realized. Since Ihan Group probably has recent audit issues and pressure from the Ministry of Defense, I thought you might want me to imprint an image of national salvation onto the defense industry.”

 

Chairman Seo Tae-gwang stared intently at Yeon-woo after he finished speaking.

After a few seconds of silence, Chairman Seo Tae-gwang burst into loud laughter that could shake the hall.

 

“Hahaha! Today I’ve really brought home a treasure.”

 

After laughing for a while, Chairman Seo Tae-gwang stopped and his eyes gleamed.

 

“You’re not just someone who should simply be an actor, are you?”

“I’m satisfied with my profession as an actor.”

 

Upon hearing Yeon-woo’s words, Chairman Seo chuckled and stroked his chin.

 

“Well, whether in works or reality, characters are moved by narrative.”

 

Yeon-woo listened to Chairman Seo’s words and silently continued eating the baeksuk.

 

Ihan Group is currently receiving quite harsh scrutiny regarding defense industry companies due to recent corruption among military leadership, though not directly connected to the incident.

 

At this time, if they actively utilized Yeon-woo’s hot ‘Seo Hui’ image at this point shortly after the drama ended, connecting it with Chairman Seo’s roots to form an image of national salvation, it would be possible to create group image-making that draws some public participation.

 

“Starting with this, Ihan Group plans to actively utilize your image by linking it with our ancestor. If we can imprint an image of national salvation as you said, that small amount of money isn’t a waste.”

“Thank you for the good proposal.”

 

Chairman Seo looked at Yeon-woo with interest.

 

“At first, I just wanted to see someone act as my ancestor, but now you’re quite interesting.”

 

Chairman Seo, who had been looking at Yeon-woo with a gleam in his eyes, continued speaking.

 

“You might feel bad about this, but I did some background investigation on you. Far from alcohol and cigarettes, you have absolutely no particular private life other than acting. Your image is also good thanks to the recent incident where you saved a young woman.”

 

This was about the story of Seo Ji-eun and the stalker.

 

In fact, Yeon-woo, with his clean private life, outstanding acting ability, successful movie career, and the image of a male lead who saved the female lead of a recently ended drama in real life, was a perfect model for Chairman Seo.

 

“Thank you for viewing me favorably.”

 

The meal that followed was like a conversation with an ordinary grandfather who was simply curious about young people, without any content about contracts.

 

After leisurely finishing the meal, Chairman Seo called a staff member and had a business card delivered to Yeon-woo.

 

“If you encounter any difficult problems in life, contact me. I’ll do my best to help you at least once or twice.”

“I’ll gratefully accept it.”

“I like how straightforward you are.”

 

After greeting him and following the bodyguard out, Min-su, who had been waiting, stood up.

 

“Min-su hyung, did you finish eating?”

“Yes. Whatever it was made with, the taste was amazing. I had samgyetang.”

“I had the same thing.”

 

At Yeon-woo’s words, Min-su tilted his head.

 

“I thought you’d have a better feast while dining with the chairman.”

“Maybe it’s because they traditionally serve hen when guests come?”

“Pardon?”

 

Yeon-woo grinned and walked ahead.

 

“It’s delicious. Samgyetang.”

 

***

 

“Ah, it’s been so long since I’ve been to a recording studio.”

“You were originally an idol trainee, right?”

 

Yeon-woo and Seo Ji-eun had gathered to practice the songs and instrumental pieces that would be included in 「Sketch」.

Ji-eun smiled brightly at Yeon-woo’s words and answered.

 

“Yes! From age twelve to eighteen.”

“Then you probably couldn’t attend school properly?”

“No, until middle school I went to the practice room after school ended.”

 

As he nodded and chatted with Ji-eun while staring at the guitar and violin placed in one corner of the practice room, the door opened and a blonde middle-aged woman entered.

 

“Nice to meet you. I’m Chrissy Monroe.”

“Hello. I’m Ryu Yeon-woo. Just call me Jay.”

“Oh, hello. I’m Seo Ji-eun. Please call me Nari too!”

 

Yeon-woo and Ji-eun bowed in Korean style as they looked at the music director who greeted them upon entering.

 

Since the movie was planned for overseas film festival submissions from the beginning, the protagonist’s name was set to be as easy as possible for foreigners to pronounce.

 

Yeon-woo nodded slightly, seeing Ji-eun’s better-than-expected English skills.

 

“Got it. Jay, Nari. It’s an honor to participate in this movie.”

“The honor is ours for having you join us.”

 

At Yeon-woo’s words, music director Chrissy smiled and took out a USB.

 

“First, shall we listen to the music I made and then talk? I haven’t finished everything yet, but I’ve written three songs that will go in the beginning.”

 

Yeon-woo took the USB that Chrissy offered and handed it to the engineer in the corner of the practice room.

 

“She says there are three songs. Please play them in order.”

“Yes. Understood.”

 

When the engineer plugged in the USB and played it, a sweet melody flowed out.

 

“As requested, I arranged it so it could be brought to life with just guitar as much as possible.”

 

He nodded while listening to Chrissy’s explanation.

 

“Wow, the song is good. Yeon-woo.”

“Right.”

 

The music played one by one, and when they had listened to all three songs, Chrissy spoke.

 

“I’m not sure how good Jay’s performance skills are, but well, we can solve that with cinematic editing. Do you know what a loop station is?”

“Um, I know what it is. I’ve never actually seen one.”

 

A loop station is a device that repeats a certain section, helping one person use multiple instruments to build harmony.

 

Chrissy nodded at Yeon-woo’s words and continued.

 

“When I talked with Director Park in our preliminary meeting, he seemed interested. For the later parts, we’re thinking of incorporating scenes using that, but well, as long as you can handle instruments to some degree, we’ll take care of it with editing. First, before writing other songs, I’d like to hear Nari’s singing.”

 

Chrissy pointed to the recording booth with her hand, smiled, and looked at Ji-eun.

 

“Yes! I’ll give it a try. Ah, I’m nervous.”

 

***

 

Jeong Cheol-min slapped both his cheeks with his hands.

 

“Ha, I’m nervous.”

“You still get nervous even with over 20 years of acting experience?”

 

Today they were heading to Incheon Airport in the early morning hours to film the first airport scene with Jeong Cheol-min.

 

Time had passed, and they had smoothly filmed various concept commercials, and the preliminary practice with Chrissy and Ji-eun had progressed quite a bit.

Yeon-woo was finally entering the first filming of 「Sketch」.

 

When Yeon-woo asked with a smile, Jeong Cheol-min patted Yeon-woo’s back.

 

“Kid, it’s Director Park Chan-hong, how could I not be nervous.”

“Hahaha, did you memorize all the script?”

“I struggled memorizing English at my age. I memorized it perfectly.”

“That’s fortunate at least. Luckily we were able to get cooperation…”

 

Most other filming would be done in the suburbs so it was fine, but he had worried that the airport scene would be difficult to control due to insufficient staff.

 

Normally an actor wouldn’t worry about such things, but this time, thinking from the perspective of both actor and producer, he found himself concerned about such detailed aspects.

 

“Heaven must be helping us. Construction expansion at just the right time.”

“Right.”

 

Coincidentally, Incheon Airport was undergoing expansion construction and had closed part of the airport, so they received permission for controlled filming in the early morning hours without general citizens.

 

Yeon-woo and Cheol-min had arrived in Min-su’s car.

 

“It’s quite modest.”

 

They could see the team preparing for filming in one corner of the airport.

The minimum personnel operating with only truly necessary staff.

 

“Let’s go, sir.”

“Yes. I’m living well thanks to my student.”

 

Yeon-woo smiled and took Jeong Cheol-min with him to where the staff had gathered.

 

“Wow, it’s really Ryu Yeon-woo.”

“He’s even more amazing in person.”

 

The extras hired to prepare for the airport scene whispered among themselves as they saw Yeon-woo.

Director Park Chan-hong, who had been giving various preparation instructions, heard the commotion and approached Yeon-woo.

 

“Well. Has my business partner arrived?”

“Hello, Director. This is Teacher Jeong Cheol-min.”

 

When Yeon-woo introduced Jeong Cheol-min, Cheol-min bowed at a right angle with a very tense expression.

 

“It’s an honor! Director. I’m Jeong Cheol-min.”

“Yes. I’ve seen Mr. Jeong Cheol-min’s theater performance once with my family.”

“Excuse me?”

 

Cheol-min was startled to see Director Park extending his hand for a handshake and asked back while grasping his hand.

 

“I think it was a work called ‘Blues’ in Hyehwa.”

“Oh my! That’s right. This is truly an honor.”

 

It was a performance that Cheol-min had put on in Daehangno about 5 years ago during his last days with the theater company.

Jeong Cheol-min was deeply moved to think that Director Park Chan-hong had actually bought tickets and came to see his theater performance.

 

“I remember your acting being good even then, and you’ve raised such an excellent student.”

 

When Park Chan-hong, a master of the industry, acknowledged him, Jeong Cheol-min felt like he could fly today, his eyes reddened as he looked down at the ground and bowed respectfully.

 

At that moment, Yeon-woo was greeting the other staff members.

 

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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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