King of Death Acting - Episode 17
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Honestly,
I thought I'd come up with a perfect idea, if only for a moment.
As I watched the camera rolling, sighing deeply while staring at the sunset, wondering how the hell I was supposed to pull this off—a ghostly epiphany hit me.
Wait, Hui-yul dies in the end, right?
That's right. My character dies eventually.
Even if he doesn't drop dead right now, the fact that Hui-yul bites it hasn't changed.
And my acting? All it has to do in the end is die.
So—
Then why not just act the necessary parts, let life flow by, and nail the death at the end?
'.......'
'.......'
'...That could work?!'
I slapped my knee.
Could Archimedes' eureka moment in the bath, buck naked, even compare to mine?
I couldn't help but marvel at my own genius.
'Mind-blowing!'
Far from just marveling, I put it into action immediately.
And damn, it worked like a charm. I was instantly convinced I was delivering acting beyond my usual skill—flawlessly.
— ...Junior?
— Gah...!
— ?
Even the later death acting scenes? I bit my tongue through them and powered on.
— ...Whew, I'm good. Bit my tongue to hold on. It works.
— ......Yeah, all the great actors are a little nuts, huh.
Up to that point, aside from Park Seong-ho's slightly drained expression, I thought everything was perfect.
It wasn't.
According to Baek Chae-i later, during the three-minute cut between takes, I apparently zoned out like I was dozing off.
And what was I doing in the dream during those three minutes—
"Giganotosaurus, huh. Brings back memories. Used to play with encyclopedias as a kid—"
— Grrrrowl!
"Oh, tongue."
It was a bit gentler than usual.
...Looks like from the nightmare's perspective, I was subtly out of line.
#
Truth be told,
As Hui-yul went from extra to supporting, then supporting to key supporting, I got a little greedy.
Maybe I could dip into a lead supporting role...?
Just a toe in the water, nothing major...?
Which actor in this world wouldn't?
Not just me after seven years as an aspiring nobody—actors are creatures doomed to covet bigger roles.
Especially these past few weeks since escaping the nightmares; even I was buzzing with a bit of hope. Maybe stack experience like this and build a real career—pure fantasy, sure.
But three real-world minutes—or three dream-hours—in a dinosaur's mouth was plenty to teach life's impermanence.
Just weeks ago, hadn't I nearly quit acting out of desperation?
If I can just act, that's enough. Why overreach in life...?
I let go of all ambition.
Unbelievable is plenty.
A reenactment show airing Sundays, full of the world's bizarre tales—dying in every wild way imaginable fits right in.
Perfectly natural acting, national recognition, pay good enough with side gigs to scrape by.
With such a golden goal, chasing distractions earned me the dinosaur tongue—no, divine punishment.
I emptied my mind.
Get it together.
King and Sovereign is locked in; no choice there.
But no more greed after.
Wait—didn't I have tons of paths beyond just Unbelievable?
Unbelievable
This Is Real
Solomon's Verdict
Crime Reconstruction
Even back to One Thousand and One Nights.
Programs needing daily death actors? Endless. And I'd dominate them all.
Isn't that blessed enough—
Trimming the excess greed brought instant peace.
Only issue was,
Right before nirvana, demons always show up—that's the trope.
"Straight to the point. I want to flip public opinion once."
"...Pardon?"
"Means we're properly betting on Actor Kang Min."
"......."
If you're wondering what a demon looks like: bald first off.
A few hundred strands clinging to a gleaming scalp, but his eyes gleamed brighter.
Fists swinging wildly, full of power; nostrils flaring like a bull.
In short,
Anyone could see: MBS Drama Department Head Kim Kang-hyun.
"...So, you're putting me alongside Seniors Park Seong-ho, Yi Hoon, and Oh Heon-yeong as leads in the special?"
"Exactly!"
"Adding the show's fame to mine, skyrocketing my recognition?"
"Yep!"
"Meaning an agency-less nobody like me could become top trend overnight?"
"Spot on! Next drama? Forget supporting lead—main lead potential!"
The demon's eyes sparkled.
"Saw your acting today and I'm fully convinced! How about we stir up something huge?"
"...Hm."
Any actor would see no reason to refuse.
The demon—Head Kim Kang-hyun—built a solid PD career. His product? Top-tier.
Worst case, my name rises. Best? Lead-star fame.
Honey dripping from every word.
I smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
"Haha, no biggie!"
"But standing with such great seniors feels too much for me yet. I'd rather yield to worthier actors."
"Heh, greedy one! Fine, we can bump your screentime... Wait, what?"
But the dinosaur-tongue epiphany was too fresh to fall for the honey pot.
#
Just before,
After Kang Min stepped back, the set fell into stunned silence.
Delivering lines flawlessly? Possible.
Cool action? Sure.
But commanding presence just standing there through a few lines? Only pinnacle actors pull that off.
Kang Min did it.
Enough to silence even his subtle detractors instantly.
"What the hell was that..."
"Who is this guy? Rolled in theater for 20 years?"
"Few years at Hong Ji-ho Senior's academy... First gig..."
"...Fuck."
"Life sucks."
Extras murmuring in defeat, mid-level vets smirking "as expected," Yu Ho-hyeon PD grinning, Baek Chae-i shrugging "anyway."
Meanwhile, the soon-to-be head finished all calculations.
After phoning his secretary to execute plans, he sought Yu Ho-hyeon PD.
"Ho-hyeon, more shoots for Actor Kang Min?"
"No, done for today. Told him to head out..."
"Right, I'll bounce too. Need to chat."
"Got it, Senior... Scene 26 retake! Needs weight match with 27! Actress Lee Hye-young, back out please!"
"M-Me?"
"Yes!"
"......."
The actress who'd been grabbing her manager earlier teared up with a final "you bastard!" as the head hurried after Kang Min.
What followed was obvious.
At a nearby café, facing each other, the head cut to the chase.
"...So, putting you with Seniors Park Seong-ho, Yi Hoon, Oh Heon-yeong as special leads?"
"Exactly!"
"Boosting my fame with the show's?"
"Yep!"
"Agency-less me turning trendsetter overnight?"
"Spot on! Next drama main lead even!"
Kang Min hmmed blankly, downing his herbal tea.
Poker face even off-set—hard to read.
Feels less like dealing with an actor, more like sly politicians with foxes inside...
Usually, you sense that from hidden-agenda types masking expressions.
Yet somehow, an enlightened monk's detachment too.
The head prided his eye for talent to reach this seat.
But this odd duo of vibes? Disconcerting...
Well, guy's pulling that acting at his age. Can't judge by years alone.
Recalibrating to "tough opponent," but that's it.
His offer was a gift, not a demand.
Grinning, he pressed on.
"Your acting today sealed it! Wanna go big?"
"...Hm."
Kang Min paused.
Unreadable face, but intentions obvious.
Head brimmed with confidence inwardly.
Probably mulling bigger screentime in the special.
No issue.
Originally slotting him among vets, but that level? Promote Kang Min main, vets as garnish.
Even solo top billing demands viable—with next-project contracts or agency intros in his network.
Topic heat too—maybe better for him.
Flower-viewing hand either way; he sipped coffee leisurely.
His head debut: visionary miracle.
Perfect plan.
Until the man calmly spoke.
"Standing with great seniors too much for me yet. Yield to worthier actors."
"Heh, greedy! Fine, more screentime... What?"
Head blinked.
What.
What'd he just say?
Ears not failing him.
Kang Min continued softly.
"I know my place. How could I stand equal to such seniors?"
"...?"
"Grateful for your care, but entrusting big to a rookie like me risks the project. Too heavy for me."
"......???"
Head blinked again.
Made sense on surface—newbie intimidated by vets.
But this guy's the one who just did that acting.
Bullshit.
Recalling again, head confirmed: zero respect for seniors in that acting.
Beyond monster aura, that crow of a man was itching to behead Left State Councilor Yi Hoon on sight. Yi Hoon flinched back a step.
And Kang Min exploited it for the scene—like a madman.
Such a madman claiming "know my place"?
Rejecting pure gain for that reason?
With a drama head who could blacklist him right there?
This guy...
Eyes narrowing.
Unreadable still, but clear: bullshit.
Negotiation bullshit means upping the ante.
From gift-giver to haggler, head shifted mindset.
Fine once, but thinks special push holds him forever?
Cheeky.
Arrogant.
But head had eyes: worth it.
Kang Min read his level and the head's read—gutsy.
Ha.
Finally grasping: negotiation table, not gift wrap.
Simple then. Face hardening, he asked.
"Fine. What do you want?"
"...Pardon?"
"I'm head now. In MBS post-purge, drama head pulls strings."
"......."
"Spit it out. Long-term gift—what?"
Eyes serious.
Sat, but ready to bolt at nonsense.
Kang Min must gauge the line.
Hm, stroking chin, troubled look—probably acting.
"...Can take as offering a gift?"
"Of course."
"Might be tough ask."
"Shoot."
Kang Min dragged it out.
Pondered, then spoke.
"Targeting one MBS show."
"Huh, really? Our network has a program catching your eye?"
"Absolutely. Perfect for me. No rec needed—just audition setup."
"...Let's hear it."
Head resettled.
Personal tastes aside, monster actor wants it.
Not lightweight.
Lovely House in 8 months? Prequel Old New World? Next year's newbie?
Brain spinning, Kang Min spoke calmly.
Seriously,
unyieldingly firm,
and utterly baffling madness.
"Sunday's Unbelievable. Audition for reenactment actor there?"
"............What?"
#
Yu Ho-hyeon PD kept his word.
Wrap at 11:55 PM, before last train.
Exhausted actors groaning, sobbing into vans; Baek Chae-i quietly thrilled.
This project was nothing originally.
Cliché story.
Cliché cast.
Cliché direction.
Filler slot mashup.
King and Sovereign's reality.
But.
...It'll work. Something's brewing.
Yu Ho-hyeon PD fired up.
Vets glaring with fire.
Even soon-to-be-head Kim Kang-hyun CP visited personally.
All from one actor.
He aced it perfectly again today.
The "drifting scene" wind blowing all episode? Him treating her script dead seriously.
Baek Chae-i knew.
...Gonna leave without goodbye? Rude.
Pouting, she grabbed her script.
No rush—tomorrow anyway.
Self-consoling, stepping out—locked eyes, yelped "Eek!"
Spotlight-glared egg eyes turned.
Familiar face, unluckily.
"H-Head?"
"...Ah, Writer Baek. Still here."
"J-Just wanted to linger... No, are you okay?!"
"Of course. Worry for you instead."
"No, everyone'd worry for you?! Sick?!"
Kim Kang-hyun, Head.
Hours ago smugly advising on set—now haggard.
Chuckling wryly, scanning set.
Staff frozen similarly; casual nods, small sigh.
"Writer Baek Chae-i."
"Yes?"
"Since we're here, something to tell you."
Baek Chae-i gulped.
Veteran serious gaze.
What—tensing fully, head spoke.
"That Actor Kang Min. Hell of a guy. Born genius monster, but..."
"Yes."
"Kinda, pretty damn crazy."
"...Yeah, I know."
"Pardon?"
"N-No! What do you mean suddenly?!"
"...Figures. Sorry."
Soon-to-be-head muttered "Unbelievable...Unbelievable...? Insane. Three hours wasted, in one ear out the other." and left.
Baek Chae-i fake-coughed, shoving 12 Ways to Seduce That Slightly Crazy Guy deeper in her bag, and departed.
Two weeks later, the special teaser—traded for something hugely valuable by the head—blew up.
What You Want Doesn't Come Easily (4)