He had thought it was all over, but it turned out he was a world-class star. 20화
“Couldn’t I do both?”
It had been a relief to receive the script, yet Deok-su’s mind remained unsettled.
If only his heart could have both, but schedules made it impossible.
“Have you spoken with Director Hyeok-jung?”
“Phone won’t connect. Must be busy.”
Ironically, the very person he needed for advice had vanished, and the moment of choice arrived all at once.
To Deok-su right now, the next project was of utmost importance.
He was in the phase of erasing his previous poor image and steadily building a filmography as an actor.
Lee Hui-yeong sat across from him.
“What kind of role do you want to take on, Oppa?”
“I’m drawn to movies more. I prefer characters with color over bland ones….”
Deok-su’s gaze lingered on Let’s Go to Your House.
In the film Let’s Go to Your House, Hyun-o—the character he would play—was a twenty-year-old fresh-faced college student raised with every luxury.
He was a top student, handsome, and his love life flowed smoothly.
But after his first love ended in failure, the rejection he first felt twisted him.
It haunted his later relationships too, leading to a tragic ending: a date-rape murder.
“As an actor building a filmography, movies would be better. Still, an early-morning drama might suit you right now.”
Han Ho-jin in Flower Path Only was a so-called perfect son—erased memories of a detective.
The supporting actor played the tall uncle who always appeared like Superman to save the day in times of trouble, and at the end he held the key to solving the case.
“That’s a decent role too. Hah… it’s not easy.”
“This time, becoming the idol of moms would be fine too. Oh, last time the moms at the supermarket recognized you, right?”
Deok-su remembered a few days ago and smiled awkwardly.
A few days ago, while shopping with Jeong-mi, Deok-su suddenly felt a sharp smack on his back.
An elderly fan who had become overly immersed in the drama had left a handprint on his back.
The old man muttered, “You have to live like this! You have to be good to your mom!”
He said it with a laugh, but the situation had been terrifying enough to almost spark a fight between Jeong-mi and the fan.
Thankfully, they ended up taking a photo together without incident.
The two had kept their heads together the whole time, yet the conclusion had been hard to reach.
His heart leaned toward the movie, but given the current situation, an early-morning drama seemed more suitable.
Hui-yeong kept trying to persuade him.
“Even if it’s a shame, this time it might be best to accept it. A work by writer Han Su-hee guarantees decent ratings, and as a supporting role the part will carry weight. With the current upward trend, it would be a solid mark for an actor….”
“If you keep staying in the early-morning drama box, you might get stuck there forever.”
A sudden presence made Deok-su turn his head.
Lee Gwang-yong, the managerial director, was looking down at them.
Hui-yeong shot up hurriedly, while Deok-su lowered his head with perfect calm.
“What’s the matter, Director?”
“You said you received a script. Let’s look at it together. Fortunately, it seems you still haven’t decided.”
Deok-su’s tone was not particularly kind.
After all, the managerial director who had brought the termination contract was Lee Gwang-yong himself.
Moreover, Deok-su had sensed that Lee Gwang-yong did not exactly welcome him.
“I never asked to be welcomed, but I’m a little disappointed. I came here to work as a director too, you know.”
“Director?”
“Well, simply put, it’s Flower Path Only. Han Su-hee’s comeback work after three years. With PD Lee Chae-kyung, actor Moon Sung-rak, and actress Lee Jeong-ah….”
Deok-su had no idea what Lee Gwang-yong was actually thinking.
According to principle, it was only natural for a managerial director to review the actor’s script with him, yet Deok-su had been neglected until now.
Regardless, Lee Gwang-yong continued.
“No matter what anyone says, the most important thing in a script is its quality. Working with PD Lee Chae-kyung, who has matched harmony with us four times… I heard they had a full-scale fight over their last project. And now they’re working together again.”
Hui-yeong, who had initially watched with a displeased expression, began to tilt her head at the continued words.
Lee Gwang-yong then picked up the movie script.
“Hui-yeong. Director Park Ji-ha started making independent films with his work Unpossible. Did you know?”
“I’ve never heard of the film Unpossible.”
The way Hui-yeong’s voice strained, Lee Gwang-yong clicked his tongue.
“A prize-winning independent film from Seoul last year… You’re a manager and you don’t even know that?”
“I’m sorry….”
“Sorry should be said to Kim Deok-su. And….”
Deok-su interrupted.
“It’s because I only just received the script. Hui-yeong, if you just reinforce the materials….”
“You should have this in your head at all times, actor manager. Besides, Deok-su, you’ve become generous? You’ve definitely improved to look at, but as a senior looking at a junior… Hui-yeong.”
“Yes, Director!”
Hui-yeong straightened her posture with renewed energy.
“If an actor studies the script, a manager must look at the external aspects. Choosing a project is basically 90% of a manager’s job.”
“…Ah.”
“Of course a manager must be sensitive to information. You must know every possible detail about any project an actor might choose so the actor can focus entirely on the work. Understood?”
Hui-yeong nodded with a dazed expression.
Lee Gwang-yong turned his gaze back to Kim Deok-su.
“Director Park Ji-ha is an icon rising in the film world, even if ordinary people don’t know him yet. Especially praised for his exceptional attention to detail. Among directors, he’s one of the five people anyone would want to collaborate with. There’s even talk he’s about to receive investment.”
With only this information, Deok-su had decided.
“…I must do the movie.”
Lee Gwang-yong smiled lightly, then wiped his expression again.
“Deok-su, you know the contract renewal is coming up soon?”
“Yes, I do.”
“As you already know, the others have finished their renewals.”
Before the feeling of gratitude had even faded, pressure returned.
Deok-su understood clearly.
Deliver results before renewal.
“That’s fine. Here.”
Lee Gwang-yong tossed something, and Hui-yeong caught it on reflex.
It was the smart key to the vehicle.
“I kept requesting a car. The team leaders kept cutting it at the middle. Now that I see it, an idol traveling on schedules with JMT’s name driving a small car… Use this car from now on. Commute too.”
“Ah, thank you very much.”
“It’s not a car good enough to brag about.”
Lee Gwang-yong left without looking back.
Deok-su and Hui-yeong stared at each other in a daze.
“What on earth just happened?”
“I don’t know either….”
Hui-yeong gripped the car key tightly.
It was the moment gratitude and frustration collided.
The new club Ruby, which had split from Signature’s fan club Arosam, was noisy every single day.
“Arosam hasn’t been protesting L’Vyu Oppa’s withdrawal lately?”
“I just passed by the young people’s hangout and it was quiet. Maybe they’re watching.”
“L’Vyu Oppa has been working hard lately….”
“I missed Signature Oppa’s concert… TT TT”
“I want to buy bootleg tickets but there are none… TT TT”
……
The chat room filled quickly with stories.
Twenty club members, about sixteen active in the chat, yet the scroll was like a room with hundreds.
“Speaking of which, when Kim Deok-su was here last time it was really surprising….”
“He looked a bit like an uncle. His way of speaking was older too.”
“It’s true he changed after recovery.”
“Still, L’Vyu is L’Vyu. You can’t let your guard down.”
Although he had been chased away for defending Kim Deok-su, it was still hard to call everyone here a fan of Deok-su.
Most still liked Signature, and Kim Deok-su himself wanted to stay in the group and perform as a complete unit.
While the group chatted, one person entered.
“Manager Hui-yeong has entered.”
Of course it was Hui-yeong.
“Oh my, Manager-nim *_*”
“You came again today”
The moment Hui-yeong entered, the already bustling chat grew even more active.
Hui-yeong wielded the skills she had learned from deputy leader Ha Yeong-hyeon and instantly captivated everyone.
Then…
“I’m planning a fan meeting for Deok-su Oppa. Targeted at everyone here.”
“With this number? Lol”
“Everyone here is enough. We’ll provide snacks and meals, so feel free to come.”
Thus began the project of holding a fan meeting disguised as a club officer fan-meeting.
With his mind made up, Deok-su immediately acted.
He called writer Han Su-hee of Flower Path Only and PD Lee Chae-kyung directly, explaining that schedules made working together difficult.
The production company and PD Lee Chae-kyung could have gone along with it, but the problem was Han Su-hee.
“It’s really a shame. I was looking forward to working together on OBC….”
“I’m sorry. I really wanted to do the project, but the schedules don’t match. If you call me next time, I’ll work hard no matter what.”
“……Well, the fact that you called yourself shows it must have been hard. All right, then let’s do it next time.”
After declaring he would decline, Deok-su headed to a cafe where the meeting for the independent film Let’s Go to Your House was to be held.
“……Did Director Park say it was personal investment?”
“Yes. The cafe where we’re doing the reading is also a friend’s place he’s lending for free. The staff won’t be very many.”
“Of course, there are only Deok-su and Shin Hye-won in the cast….”
The conversation flew by, and soon they reached the cafe.
Inside, staff and Director Park Ji-ha welcomed Deok-su.
“Welcome, Deok-su. Wow, your body is really in great shape.”
Director Park Ji-ha admired Deok-su’s thick forearms.
Yet behind the admiration lingered a hint of concern.
“……We’ll have to do a camera test to know, but if you get any thicker here the proportions might not work.”
“For now I’ll have to be gentle with the exercise. Just maintain this level?”
“If we can reduce the size even better, but we can’t pay much, and you’re asking for something strange. Right?”
Deok-su shook his head.
After that, he greeted the participating staff with Hui-yeong.
A simple group of about ten, led by director of photography Moon Tae-yang.
The cast consisted only of Deok-su and actress Shin Hye-won.
Director Park Ji-ha, after the greeting, lightly hugged the arriving Deok-su.
“I really expect a lot from you, Deok-su.”
“Thank you, but it’s a little overwhelming. I haven’t been acting for very long….”
“That doesn’t matter at all. Really? Just like on OBC—deliver strong voice and perfect timing. Movie characters need strong color.”
While Deok-su and Director Park Ji-ha exchanged various conversations, actress Shin Hye-won arrived.
She was an actress whose unique appearance and outstanding acting gradually stood out.
Director Park Ji-ha first introduced Deok-su and Shin Hye-won, then positioned them in front of the camera.
“Let’s start with the camera test. We need to see the proportions so the editing can be accurate. Hye-won, face forward. Good.”
After Shin Hye-won, Deok-su also underwent the camera test.
The camera captured various angles—front, left, right—of the two actors.
“Deok-su, look angry and frown. Hye-won, cry.”
A second passed.
Tears began to flow from Shin Hye-won’s eyes.
Deok-su was startled but quickly immersed in the acting.
The test continued, and Director Park Ji-ha rested his hand on his chin.
“Hmm… Director Moon, does this fit?”
“The man is a bit… This doesn’t seem like it can be fixed with lighting alone.”
The lighting director also joined, starting to adjust the light.
The atmosphere had turned strangely.
Deok-su was curious, but Shin Hye-won was so professionally focused that asking felt inappropriate.
The long camera test finally ended and the lights were turned off.
Director Park Ji-ha clapped and called the two over.
“Hah, I thought it would be straightforward, but there’s a problem….”
“What went wrong?”
“……This is tricky. What should we do? Hye-won, you see.”
Soon the test video began to play, and Director Park Ji-ha scratched his head.
“The proportions are too unbalanced. Hye-won’s face is more beautiful than Deok-su’s.”
A situation where a male actor’s face was more handsome than a female actress’s had arisen.