The Genius Actor Who Lives Twice - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 23

As filming for drew to a close, Kim Hyun-deok asked me for my thoughts.

“What do you think about commercials?”
“A commercial? Out of nowhere?”
“Yeah. Before , I sent your profile around to several places. Apparently someone in the advertising business saw it and wanted to know if you’d be interested in shooting something.”

Kim Hyun-deok slid an advertisement storyboard across to me.
It wasn’t the kind of commercial a famous celebrity would do.
More like a C-grade spot, or the sort of bit role where you appear briefly in the background after a celebrity’s main scene.
Kim Hyun-deok had probably brought this to me as a way to slowly build up my filmography through commercials, even if they were modest ones.
Without enough credits to your name, you get overlooked too easily.

“Hmm, what do you think I should do?”

I’d already made up my mind, but I wanted to hear his opinion first.
Kim Hyun-deok gazed down at the materials with a thoughtful expression.

“Films take forever to shoot. Dramas are the same way. But commercials are different.”

There aren’t many things that shoot and wrap as quickly as a commercial.

“But at the same time, they can burn through an actor’s image far too easily.”

From where I sat, it looked like Kim Hyun-deok had already reached a decision.
He was the kind of man who genuinely cared about his actors.
He’d probably shown me this because, even as the head of an Entertainment Company, he felt I deserved to know.

“And if we shoot now, the rate will definitely be set low.”

That much was true.
I thought the same way.
After debuting in , I’d make myself known to various directors, shoot their films to build my reputation, and then take on commercials when my name carried weight.
That was my strategy.

“Me?”
“Yes. When that time comes, the offers pouring in will be worth dozens of times more than what’s on the table now.”

“Good. Let’s hold off for now.”

“Yes.”
“Some decent offers came in. Want to take a look?”

Well, I made a show of looking them over.
I was certain the project I really wanted wasn’t among these.

Lee Tae-hoon, sitting beside me, wore a somewhat dejected expression.
When I’d submitted my profile last time, Lee Tae-hoon had applied to several places as well.
A few of them had even reached out.
Of course, he’d been rejected from all of them because his acting wasn’t strong enough.
Still, his skills had been improving steadily as he trained under me.

“It’s all right, Representative.”

Lee Tae-hoon forced a smile as he spoke.

“I just need to keep at it consistently.”

Hmm, this kid should be heading down the singing route instead.
My benevolent gaslighting must have worked, because lately Lee Tae-hoon had been increasing his singing practice time.
Keep practicing more. That way the company stock rises and my stock options actually become valuable.
I clicked on an audition program I’d been eyeing for a while, then spoke as if I’d just discovered it.

“Hey, isn’t this interesting?”

I showed Lee Tae-hoon my smartphone.
Of course, since his acting skills were still lacking, this wasn’t an acting audition.

“There’s supposedly a singing audition program on N-Net this time.”
“Huh?”
“Look, your acting’s improving, sure, but you’re really good at singing.”
“Me? Really?”
“Yeah. Chances to raise an actor’s profile like this don’t come around often, so go for it.”

I looked at Kim Hyun-deok.

“Representative, wouldn’t it be okay if Lee Tae-hoon auditioned for this?”

Kim Hyun-deok would be picking up on it soon enough.
Lee Tae-hoon was a beautiful young man with an almost doe-like smile, but he had zero talent for acting.
And he surely already knew that Lee Tae-hoon did have talent for singing.

“Seems fine to me.”

Perfect. Mission accomplished.
With today’s objective complete, I gave Lee Tae-hoon a few more doses of well-intentioned gaslighting.

“Even if your acting’s still lacking, your tone is good, so……”

Buzz-buzz.
My phone, set to vibrate, rang mid-sentence.
It was a regular landline number not saved in my contacts, so I thought it might be spam, but I picked up anyway.

“Hello?”
—Hello there.

A man’s brisk voice.

—This is Seoul ○○ Police Station.

No way.
The incident with that bastard I’d caught came rushing back.
I’d checked all the CCTV positions and even worn a helmet to be safe, but they found me anyway?

“What can I help you with?”

He stood from his seat, pretending the call hadn’t come from the Police Station.
If he’d taken it right there in front of Lee Tae-hoon and Kim Hyun-deok, it could have sparked misunderstandings.

—The reason I’m calling is that we need to confirm some details related to the Weapon Rampage Incident from a few months ago.

So it was that after all.
Despite erasing his tracks so thoroughly, he’d been caught anyway.

—You’re the one who was wearing the helmet that day, correct?

He took a moment to consider how to respond.
The fact that they’d called meant excuses at this point probably wouldn’t work.
But if he simply hung up now, they’d just call back.
While he was turning this over in his mind, the man’s next words came through.

—We’re hoping to present you with a Commendation Certificate.
“……Yes?”

His mind went blank for a moment.

—For your service in saving a citizen that day, the Police Agency has decided to award you. We’ll present you with a Citation and the certificate on a date that works for you.

He didn’t want his face becoming known over something like this.
His father would inevitably worry.
And he wanted to take on various diverse characters in the future, but if this got out, he’d certainly be offered nothing but typecast roles as the righteous hero.
Still, it seemed a waste to refuse when they were offering him a Commendation Certificate.
Hmm.
If he stayed in entertainment long enough, he’d inevitably get tangled up in unpleasant things.
Kim Hyun-deok would probably handle most of it, but he’d need to build up another option just in case.

“I’ll come to receive it.”

* * *

Shin Seon-ah clipped her press badge around her neck.

‘Another trip to the Police Station.’

Back in middle and high school, and through university, she’d been a data seller, following idol events and snapping photographs.
The photos she took fetched good money.
So when she landed a job using that talent, she’d ended up at the Police Station……

‘Why of all things did I have to become a social affairs reporter!’

Sharp, well-defined features over flawless skin, a high bridge of nose, broad shoulders, and lean muscle.
When she’d become a reporter, she’d thought she’d be photographing those fresh-faced idols.
But ever since she’d started, all she captured were bloated, belly-hanging tycoons who cooked their books, and criminal bastards who’d pull a hat down low and not even realize what they’d done wrong.
Ugh.
Sometimes she wondered if this was really how she was meant to spend her life. But she couldn’t exactly quit a company that paid her salary regularly.
Still, today was a bit different.
Instead of the negative stories that made up ninety percent of the news, she could write about a citizen who’d saved someone’s life.
And the “Helmet Man” who’d set the internet on fire a few months ago was sensational enough to be worthwhile.
Shin Seon-ah checked the time on her smartphone, then wrapped up the gum she’d been chewing in paper and tossed it.
Work was work, after all.
She couldn’t exactly show up to the Police Station chewing gum.

“Press members here to cover the Commendation Certificate ceremony, please come this way.”

At the uniformed officer’s announcement, Shin Seon-ah stepped into the building.
When she’d first come to the Police Station as a rookie reporter, she’d been intimidated by the tense atmosphere, but after visiting so often, it felt like any other office—except for the occasional loud person.

“The award recipient will be here shortly. Please bear with us a moment.”

Shin Seon-ah raised her camera.
On the side of it was a sticker of an idol she admired.
Back when she’d dreamed of becoming a reporter, she’d fantasized about collaborating with celebrities.

‘Such is my lot in life.’

Shin Seon-ah and the other reporters began settling into position.

“Excuse me, just passing through.”

A soft voice with crisp enunciation drifted through from behind, cutting between the reporters.
Some of the journalists present had trained as announcers before, so it was likely one of them.
At that moment, someone passed by Shin Seon-ah’s side.

‘Wow.’

When you see someone truly beautiful, the word “handsome” doesn’t even come to mind.
Your mind simply goes blank.
Eyes brimming with refinement.
Sensuous lips and a sharply defined jawline.
Shin Seon-ah found herself staring blankly at a man whose lean frame possessed a kind of languid beauty that stirred protective instincts.
Without thinking, her grip on the camera loosened.
If she hadn’t had the camera strap around her neck, it would have crashed to the ground.
Who on earth was this person?
An idol? No. She’d seen enough idols to know.
He lacked that distinctive idol exuberance, that bright, playful glamour.
And it would be strange for an idol to walk around a place like this without a trace of makeup.
There was something elegant about him.
Unlike idols who performed only specific concepts, he seemed as though he’d pull off any styling or image perfectly.
Right now he was radiating nothing but a sickly charm, but dress him differently and he’d be something else entirely.
An appearance so adaptable it could belong to someone in any profession.
Shin Seon-ah had the feeling she would never forget this moment for the rest of her life.

“We will now proceed with the presentation of the Commendation Certificate.”

Han Seo-jin, in his police uniform, gripped the microphone and spoke.
Shin Seon-ah, who’d been lost in thought, suddenly snapped back to attention.

“…Through swift judgment and courageous action, further damage was prevented. In recognition of this merit, a Commendation Certificate is hereby awarded.”

Shin Seon-ah lifted her camera.
One of the men seated in front rose and walked up onto the platform.

‘This is going to be an exclusive story.’

Despite his long, slender limbs and lean build, his shoulders were impressively broad.
The man in the expensive designer suit was unmistakably the same beautiful stranger who had passed her moments before.
She knew handsome men well enough — she’d photographed plenty of them.
You could tell he was good-looking even from the back of his head.
The moment she moved to angle behind him, Shin Seon-ah pressed the shutter.
Then she froze.

‘What the—! Why is he wearing a mask!’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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