The Final Effort (4)
Looking back, drama fans had been parched for any personal stories about the actor Kang Min lately.
King and Sovereign, on the verge of its finale, followed by the consecutive hits of Unbelievable.
Especially the latter – setting aside the cover-ups from the higher-ups at MBS – had generated a fierce reaction even overseas.
Yet amid all that, there was virtually zero personal info on Kang Min.
That was the reason voices of regret echoed everywhere.
And then, the long-awaited good news finally arrived for those thirsting fans.
Kang Min was appearing on a variety show after all.
But the cheers turned to gasps when they heard it was none other than Wine Talk.
Gratitude for him appearing clashed evenly with worries about choosing a show that sparked controversies whenever it got boring.
Especially once it was clear this episode was Kang Min solo lead – the concerns only grew.
But well,
Of course, even the infamous PD Choi Dan-yong couldn't pull aggro on Kang Min with his invincible shield.
With every angle blocked, Choi Dan-yong grudgingly cut all aggro bait edits and focused on sentiment.
Reviews of Wine Talk itself got mixed, but it secured buzz – and viewers were floored.
Kang Min's ant-tear touching orphanage days, run through Korea's K-edit filter, swelled to calf-tear levels.
People watched in surprise and warmth.
Though it blew up sometimes.
The sentiment toward a seemingly distant perfect actor having his own past was heartwarming and touching. But the reaction to the follow-up breakdown of Jo Yun-a's acting bordered on shock.
Even broadcasting and film insiders couldn't hide their blank stares.
"...Director Choi Bong-man."
"...What."
"Be honest, did you know?"
"........."
No way he did.
Even Commander Han Ye-seul, at peak enlightenment on the verge of transcendence, gaped with a "what the fuck" head-clutch as her phone exploded with calls – she just turned it off.
If a top-tier master like her was like that, no need to mention others.
Her expression was calm, explanation crystal clear.
The actor revealed pure logic – simple enough for anyone to grasp.
And that was the problem.
Of course, Kang Min had pulled all-nighters dissecting Black Forest to push it through – naturally, no one else pierced it.
Not even industry whispers caught it.
Perhaps,
They weren't just seeing the next few years' top actor – but something more.
Bonus: Another actor started getting mentioned alongside.
"Jo Yun-a? How many years in?"
"Over 3?"
"Not a rookie then..."
"Career-wise, rookie level. Good look, Wiztone agency, yet weirdly no breakout."
"Debuting same time as Seo Bom probably hurt..."
PD Choi Dan-yong of Wine Talk didn't want public backlash, so he subtly edited out digs at Jo Yun-a. Left pure spotlight.
No, beyond spotlight – the week was plastered with stairs GIFs 123, Kang Min, and "H-how did you...". Odd if attention skipped the star.
People started hunting Jo Yun-a's acting.
Mostly bit parts – making comparisons easy.
Most interest fizzled fruitlessly, but some stuck.
And among that some, a few had sharp eyes and strict standards – positions requiring careful picks.
The result soon manifested as something Jo Yun-a never imagined.
"M-Manger?"
"Yeah?"
"Didn't you say you'd only bring scripts requesting me? This is just—"
"Right!"
"...Pardon?"
"Only brought the drama offers minus extras and obvious suck-and-dump gigs!"
"........."
"Told you, you blew up proper this time! Haha!"
Jo Yun-a blinked.
As her manager guffawed, she blankly stared at the scripts piled before her.
Four.
Four scenarios.
'.......'
Well,
Compared to the mountain casually stacked in Seo Bom's room, maybe nothing.
Obviously minor roles next to Seo Bom's leads or key supports.
But still,
This was recognition for Jo Yun-a.
Numbers of people deeming her fit among countless actors.
'.......'
For a moment,
Tears welled.
"Knew you'd nail it!"
Manager slapped her back laughing.
"You worked so hard! World has to notice! That fortune from your mom said you'd meet a benefactor and get recognized! Believed since then!"
"...That fortune teller's always wrong. You called her a fraud for the dino tongue bit too."
"Anyway!"
The still-laughing manager startled at an incoming call and dashed out.
His brightening voice suggested a bigwig congrats.
Jo Yun-a sighed softly, stretching her legs.
"You worked so hard! World has to notice!"
'...Has to my ass.'
Her fist clenched briefly.
Jo Yun-a shook her head inwardly.
No way.
No world notices just effort.
Otherwise, was all her past effort half-assed? Not enough for real payoff?
Just obvious hindsight.
All cause-effect is brutally simple.
Jo Yun-a's acting was seen by tons.
Black Forest peaking 30% ratings.
Myriad viewers.
Staff.
Actors.
Countless others.
But among them all, only one truly saw her.
'.......'
As always, Jo Yun-a quietly mulled the feeling.
Her phone rang.
Seeing the caller, she blinked.
"Ah."
Seo Bom.
#
"Why...! Why'd my words turn into a gag...!!"
A day later,
Kang Min still clutched his head.
Internet buzzed with Wine Talk reactions. But that wasn't his goal.
Show his sincerity for Unbelievable, erase the hype. Perfect Plan A.
...But results were disastrous.
Well,
Timing off just a tad maybe.
Atmosphere kinda meh maybe.
But this was too much.
And the culprit behind this result? Someone else.
'Choi Dan-yong...!!'
Kang Min slammed the desk, grinding teeth.
PD Choi Dan-yong of Wine Talk dressed that line in flashy gags for footage – securing volume above all.
Question/exclamation subtitles galore.
Cold crickets directing.
Overwhelming Crayon Shin-chan BGM—
Before all that, Kang Min's declaration held zero power.
No, having power would've been weird.
Choi Dan-yong's desire to screw Kang Min was perfectly fulfilled.
Though he himself didn't know.
"Kuh...!"
Kang Min gnashed, but nothing to do.
As always, fox-sour-grapes rationalizing kicked in.
'Fine, variety was bonus anyway. Not serious.'
'I've got perfect Plan B!'
Aliens.
The Unbelievable third part he'd braced for resistance? Han Ye-seul accepted instantly, victory near.
Even shooting today.
Compared, Wine Talk flop was trivial—
'Yeah, exactly.'
Mentally victorious as ever, Kang Min strode out boldly.
...And bumped into his one MBS guilt trip.
"O-oppa!"
"...Yun-a."
Jo Yun-a, glancing around, lit up and trotted over.
But unlike her, Kang Min swallowed a groan inwardly.
"Why at MBS?"
"Hehe, the writer who praised me is here! On my way back, might get cast right now! Real supporting role this time!"
"Mm, congrats."
"Thank you!"
Bowing Jo Yun-a beamed brighter; Kang Min's guilt deepened.
Not long ago, he'd unwittingly unleashed hell on her with one greeting.
Thought he'd patched it, she seemed fine – but nothing's certain in this industry.
Reason he had to nod along her bubbly chatter...
Kang Min ahem'd, shifting topic barely.
"By the way, how's Bom?"
"...Huh?"
"Y'know, told you last time. Fought with her, seems still mad. If possible, tell her to pick up."
"......Ah."
For some reason, Jo Yun-a's face stiffened awkwardly.
Kang Min tilted head at her aha-ha finger-fiddling laugh.
Hm, she still sulking?
Too long even for her...
"That is, um..."
Averting eyes, lip-smacking Jo Yun-a squeezed shut, flashed guilt, then slumped in defeat.
"Actually, actually."
"Hm?"
"Truth is, Bom unnie's mad at you in—"
"Actor Kang, why're you outside."
Jo Yun-a cut off.
Han Ye-seul approached from opposite, weary-eyed.
Kang Min checked time, apologized.
"Sorry. Met an acquaintance."
"Acquaintance?"
Han Ye-seul glanced, recognized, frowned ah.
Frozen stiff like a wooden doll, Jo Yun-a stiffly greeted the once-Black Forest top brass.
Han Ye-seul nodded curtly, turned.
"Friendship good, but meeting please."
"Of course."
"Anyway, come in. Just thought – need something ultra-ordinary yet focused rival for the alien, peak drama—"
Chattering machine-gun Han Ye-seul froze.
Her sharp gaze locked on fleeing trot Jo Yun-a.
Scanned layered-cut crown to her shoes, stroked chin.
"Hold, freeze."
"Y-yes? Me...?"
"Yes, Jo Yun-a."
Han Ye-seul strode, stared intently.
Ignoring her mumble "I didn't do anything—", glared fiercely.
"Uh, th..."
"......"
"I..."
"......"
Jo Yun-a near tears now.
Kang Min would've cracked too.
One minute passed; transcendent Han Ye-seul concluded.
Face screaming Eureka.
"Jo Yun-a."
"Y-yes...!"
"Interest in alien friend role?"
"...?"
Kang Min still clueless,
But this was Plan B's explosive miscarriage.