The Rotten Bridge
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In truth, contrary to what the vice president thought, Kang Min was far from relaxed.
To be precise, he had his eyes squeezed shut inwardly.
Appearance fee hike.
Switch from tiered contract to free agency.
Per diem increase.
Screen credit clause.
Portrait rights and profile usage fee hike...
Clauses that would make most actors cheer—stretching over dozens of lines—Kang Min boiled them down to exactly two.
First, increase my screen time.
And if King and Sovereign beats Black Forest in ratings, secure Unbelievable...!
The second was tacked on at the end like a bonus—but honestly, that was the real prize—for Kang Min, it was everything.
The rest was just gravy.
"Ahem, so with this, the total appearance fee rises to about 90 million won..."
"Yes."
"Recalculating the increased rates adds another 13 million, bringing the grand total to..."
"Yes."
"...D-Do you have any thoughts? Of course, we've squeezed out the max we could..."
"I think it's fine. More importantly, I'd like to firmly insert the one-year Unbelievable clause into the main body."
"......."
Crazy bastard...
While the vice president recoiled from the madness he'd never witnessed before, Kang Min gritted his teeth inwardly.
And for good reason—Kang Min was essentially signing his own death warrant right now.
This is pure folly...!
Sure, Unbelievable was a juicy prize. A golden opportunity after endless rolls of the dice.
But the impossible condition of beating Black Forest in ratings? Plus increased screen time. One more retake surge, and his body might give out.
Sacrificing present peace for an uncertain future.
Foolish beyond words.
But rotting away like this changes nothing...!
Looking back, Kang Min had always been on the defensive since the audition.
King of Death Acting? King of Unbelievable? Grand talk, but he'd never even gotten close.
So, with it explicitly stated in black and white—irrevocable—why back down now?
Kang Min gritted his teeth harder.
Yeah. Does a man crossing a crumbling single-log bridge need restraint? If death's coming anyway, go down swinging...!!
Utter desperation.
Total commitment, bridges burned.
Who could mock the noble resolve of a man vowing to die a hundred more times a day for his goal?
Of course, that resolve blazed from his eyes as immense determination.
A willpower so steely even Napoleon, who never refunded his pre-ordered books, or legendary mountaineer Ma Sok-jo couldn't deny.
And seeing it, the vice president thought:
Crazy bastard...
Back in his office, he immediately ordered Kang Min's additional fee processed by tomorrow.
"I-Is there a reason for rushing like this?"
"With a madman, the best policy is strict adherence... Pissing them off is for fools."
"?"
#
After the contract was sealed, Kang Min returned home.
First order of business: binge-watching Black Forest on VOD.
No more scraping by just to survive. He needed to know his rival.
Black Forest... A fearsome foe, but you'll be my stepping stone for ambition...!
But it didn't last long.
Kang Min's eyes soon glazed over.
What the hell...!
Black Forest's story kicks off with National Intelligence Service agents obtaining intel on North Korea's impending collapse and infiltrating the country.
But naturally, neighboring powers don't sit idle.
Secretly dispatched foreign spies aren't exactly friendly to the NIS.
China and Russia meddle, America jumps in, and Japan sneaks in its wedge—
With the world's eyes on them, the NIS faces the dilemma of resolving it without going official.
What follows is pure spectacle.
High-octane chases.
Thrillers and suspense weaving infiltration ops with spy deductions.
A single lapse in judgment kills, yet sheer luck saves.
Viewers swallow hard in tension, never knowing who dies next.
Kang Min watched the first five episodes of Black Forest in a daze.
Beat this?
Any conscience left?
Wait, King and Sovereign was even in the same league?
How?
Were PD Yu Ho-hyeon and writer Baek Chae-i some kind of gods?
KBC's Han Ye-seul CP would flip if she knew, but Kang Min knew he was buzzing lately—yet nowhere near handling this.
Monsters like that don't exist.
Urk...!
By now, Kang Min couldn't help feeling scammed—but MBS had paid top-tier fees. No backing out.
Hours of agony yielded no answers, so in desperation, he sought his mentor.
A truly absurd visit for Jiho Acting Academy's director.
"...So, no way to boost King and Sovereign's ratings from here?"
"Precisely, a way to snag Black Forest."
"......."
"Just one moment—even one. What wouldn't work?"
Hong Ji-ho pinched his brow hard. If I knew, I'd tell you...
But Kang Min's desperate face—like his life depended on it—stifled any scolding.
Hong Ji-ho asked reluctantly.
"What's this about?"
"Unbelievable."
"Bullshit."
"...Fine, say it's for writer Baek Chae-i's career."
Ask if you won't believe it anyway— Kang Min grumbled inwardly, but Hong Ji-ho bought it instantly, eyes gleaming.
A perfectly plausible motive.
Hong Ji-ho cleared his throat slyly.
"Decent writer, but long unknown years. Three years between debut and King and Sovereign."
"Yes. Ideally, snag a writer award this time."
"Red Carpet ended decently, but tough..."
"But one No. 1 against Black Forest changes everything, right?"
"Yeah."
Solid, Hong Ji-ho smiled.
As a top actor once, he easily read Baek Chae-i's flushed, stammering face from the King and Sovereign special.
Love, huh... Sweet time.
His spanner-wielding oddball ward crossed his mind, but self-inflicted. Five years wasted? Her fault.
Free anyway, Hong Ji-ho offered advice instead of shooing him.
"What can an actor do for ratings? Show something cool."
"Hm?"
"Can't dictate script or direction. Just act dead seriously. That kid-save smile last time? People eat that up."
"I see..."
Hong Ji-ho meant focus on her, not distractions.
But Kang Min took it differently.
He swallowed a groan.
True, my body moved in ways I couldn't fathom back then...
Dazed then, but now—a possibility.
Those acrobatic dodges? Straight from nightmares of frantic escapes.
Meaning he could pull from dreams...
But can't pick dreams.
Why he'd never considered it.
But now, any means necessary...
"Oh, next shoot? Not details—just what."
"H-Hard to say, but sword fight included."
"Perfect."
Hong Ji-ho grinned, snapping his fingers.
"Serious face, body moving—tiring, sweaty. Grin through exhaustion? Sweet. Eyes glaze over."
"Hoo."
"Nail it. Great chance."
Meant for his crush.
Kang Min heard different.
Glorious sword fight, then grin... Master actor's eye is sharp!
He'd never imagined Hui-yul doing that.
More advice followed; Kang Min bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Director. Huge help."
"Heh, no biggie. Never thought I'd chat like this with you."
"Me neither."
"...She's a bit offbeat, but whatever. Time she wised up."
"?"
Some cryptic bits, but whatever.
Kang Min left with massive gains, expectations low on arrival. Alone, Hong Ji-ho stroked his chin, pleased.
Long in showbiz, seen brutal romances—this warm fuzz? Heartwarming.
Hm, Baek Chae-i. Min's oblivious; drop a hint. She's smitten—push and done.
Rare wholesome tale; Hong Ji-ho chuckled.
Of course, total misunderstanding.
Home, Kang Min's face hardened—not wholesome at all.
Next: sword fight.
Once, near-acrobatic dodges from nightmares, recreated live.
If possible again?
Simple.
To ace sword fights, dream sword fights...!
Can't choose nightmares. Take what comes.
Solution? Obvious.
Dream till a sword-fight nightmare hits...!
Eyes bulging, Kang Min clutched the script.
Hands trembled.
Urk...!
Insane.
Madness he'd never touch normally.
No choice. Dice rolled; no retreat.
Somehow snag Black Forest. His life hung on it.
Krrk...!
Terror.
Fear.
Will to overcome.
Resolve firm, Kang Min squeezed his eyes shut, marching into nightmares willingly.
Who could scorn such nobility? Even Won Gyun, top Joseon admiral of unyielding will, or Korean independence hero Muda Guchi Renya would tremble.
...Except,
- Gack...!
- Heuk...!
- Kraaack...!
- Kaaaaah!!
"What was that?"
"Ghost?"
"You heard it too?"
"Waaah—!"
Major noise pollution for neighbors.
#
A day later,
Stuntman Kim Ho-jin scowled at the absurd offer.
"Spar with some actor hack?"
Kim Ho-jin was a fencer.
Retired over scandals—affair, DUI, illegal gambling—no taegeuk on his chest, but once elite. He eyed his Olympic team silver and thought gold if he'd gone.
Thus, he calls himself a fencer.
Now tutoring and pro stunts, he laughed hollowly at the nonsense.
"...Who says 'hack' anymore?"
"Hack's a hack. Pathetic punks shelling seeds behind backs, playing nice upfront."
"Not all."
"Your manager's an idiot who can't spot 'em."
"......."
At the blatant sneer, the 10-years-older manager gritted teeth, suppressing rage as always.
Problematic personality, but Kim Ho-jin was Korea's top sword stuntman. Even Hollywood scouted once.
Demands insane, withdrew quick...
Manager couldn't afford to clash with someone earning actor-level pay.
He sighed deeply.
"Anyway, opponent's actor Kang Min."
"Who?"
"Hui-yul? King and Sovereign?"
Kim Ho-jin pondered, then recalled, smirking.
"Oh, the PR stunt guy?"
"...More than PR—that kid-save scene was wild. Real accident, some say."
"Bullshit artist's good. 100% CG. I can tell. That punk matching my moves?"
"......Anyway, production wants direct clash, no double."
"Ridiculous. Pay?"
Hm.
Kim Ho-jin's bored brow twitched.
Enough to cover last month's club booze splurge.
After thought, he nodded magnanimously.
"Fine, take it."
"Good. I'll confirm schedule."
"But kinda insulting."
"...What?"
"Pretty-boy riding CG fame, now wants real scene? Ballsy."
"......."
"Mojo sword slips, little accident? Rookie actor—no biggie."
"Quit that shit, punk! Know how hard I manage your image? Last gambling mess—!"
"Joke, joke."
At the fury, Kim Ho-jin chuckled, waving it off. Joke or slip? His call.
Grinning slyly, he lounged.
Piece of cake—rattle him days with no visible marks.
Depending on politeness, he signed.
So,
Until shoot day, facing the exhaustion-eyed, perilously manic actor.
"Nice to meet you, Kang Min. Let's make it great."
"...Yeah. Let's."
"Lefty, huh? Left-hand sword muscles developed."
"......?"
Even Falling Backwards Breaks Your Nose (4)