Born to Be an Actor
The first thought that crossed Park Jae-hyeok's mind when he saw Lee Min-woo at the start of the new semester was, "Born to be an actor."
Sure, he was handsome, but that was secondary. To put it precisely, it was an actor's face.
Distinct features that didn't pigeonhole him into a single image, capable of conveying a wide range of emotions—an actor's face.
It was too early to judge his acting chops based on just one project, but at the very least... he knew how to avoid looking awkward.
Park Jae-hyeok saw that as pure talent. Blending seamlessly into the mood of a piece without sticking out or falling short.
Just because he'd shown subtle acting in a slice-of-life drama didn't mean he had to maintain that restraint in something more intense.
The reverse held true as well.
To put it more simply, he had a broad spectrum of acting.
That made Park Jae-hyeok a bit anxious.
'What if someone else snaps him up first?'
That single worry had driven him all the way to the school gates.
He'd timed it for dismissal, and it had worked out more perfectly than expected. Even after years away from student life, his instincts hadn't dulled.
...Though his actions were a bit reckless compared to his experience.
Connecting with Lee Min-woo had been easier than anticipated.
He'd grabbed a random student in front of the school and asked if they knew Lee Min-woo. They nodded—and even mentioned he was close with a friend named Choi Dong-rak.
Choi Dong-rak hadn't left yet, so they met. After some questions and explaining the situation, he connected them right away.
Two degrees of separation, and a clean meeting arranged.
Park Jae-hyeok wanted to believe it was fate arranged by the heavens...
"...".
"...".
And now.
Park Jae-hyeok was pondering his opening line.
First, the signing bonus.
He'd prepared an amount a notch above what a typical rookie got. For a hot newbie with buzz, it was standard, but he'd bumped it up even higher.
Beyond that, acting training, image management, media training—full support for everything a budding actor needed.
But he wasn't sure if rattling off those terms was the right move. The kid in front of him didn't seem like the type to be swayed easily.
There might be other perks, but Park Jae-hyeok trusted his gut.
He'd pegged him as cautious anyway.
Seeing him up close only confirmed it.
"Sorry for showing up out of the blue and startling you. I'm Park Jae-hyeok, management team leader at Blue Nine Entertainment."
He handed his business card to the handsome student before him.
He'd already given a quick intro on the way into the cafe. Mentioning Blue Nine had elicited surprise, so he must know of them.
Any actor worth their salt had heard the name. Not a major agency, but no one in the acting world dismissed them lightly.
Park Jae-hyeok chose his words carefully.
"I racked my brain for the best way to convey our sincerity... and realized the simplest approach was the answer. We want to sign you as an actor, Mr. Lee Min-woo."
"I see. Thank you for coming in person."
"No, no—if anything, I rushed over here."
Park Jae-hyeok smiled lightly and continued.
"You've gotten offers from others already, right?"
Lee Min-woo paused thoughtfully before nodding slowly.
"Yes. I've been mulling them over. Too much piling up at once for me to decide quickly."
A subtle hint that he didn't want to sound like he was shopping around offers.
Humility. At the very least, he knew it mattered.
Hearing that, Park Jae-hyeok didn't dive into contract details. Instead, he talked about Lee Min-woo's debut in Eighteen's Temperature.
His first scene. Not just looks, but a magnetic pull. Acting that was perfectly balanced—neither overdone nor lacking. Unlike typical rookies' mistakes...
"My acting..."
Lee Min-woo suddenly spoke up.
"Did it really feel natural to you, too? Not too much, not too little?"
What? Was that not enough? Should he have piled on flashier praise?
"What I'm trying to say... yes."
Park Jae-hyeok chuckled casually.
"I couldn't describe my impression any better, even if I tried. And no, that's not a backhanded compliment..."
As he backpedaled, he caught a smile tugging at Lee Min-woo's lips.
Not too much, not too little. He must've wanted confirmation it was genuine.
"...I believe a true actor's talent is melting into the screen without a hint of awkwardness."
Lee Min-woo nodded as if he'd been waiting for it.
"I think the same."
His eyes meeting Park Jae-hyeok's screamed sincerity.
"Anyway... yes. You're a shining rough gem, Mr. Lee."
He pressed on.
"So, I want to make some firm promises. First, we'll prioritize the actor's own wishes above all."
Park Jae-hyeok listed a few more related points.
Sharing scripts, prioritizing the actor's input on projects. No forcing unwanted variety shows or ads.
"So... you're saying you'll treat me as a proper actor."
"Glad you get it. Oh, and it seems like you chose a humanities high school to keep up with school life—is that right?"
"...Yes."
"If so, we'll accommodate that as much as possible."
Park Jae-hyeok fell silent, not pushing further.
Lee Min-woo needed time to think.
After a breath, he casually mentioned basics like the signing bonus and contract length, as if in passing.
Finally, he added,
"No need to decide now. Shop around other agencies if you want. ...But at the end, please think of us one last time."
***
A few days later.
Park Jae-hyeok stared at his phone.
It was about time for a reply.
'Should've pushed the bonus harder...'
As he nervously bit his nails and jiggled his leg,
His phone rang.
Incoming: Lee Min-woo.
Park Jae-hyeok snatched it up.
"Yes, hello?"
"I'll accept your offer."
"Really?"
He feigned nonchalance anyway.
"No second thoughts?"
Not the words of someone who'd just been waiting by the phone.
Soon, Lee Min-woo's calm voice followed from the other end.
"You said it yourself back then. You agonized over how to convey your sincerity."
"...?"
"It came through loud and clear."
***
"Oh... Min-woo got his own dedicated manager."
Ji Eun-seol's first words when she saw me on set.
As she said, I'd gotten my own manager.
27 years old. Park Jin-su. He'd jumped into this right after college and military service.
A lot had gotten easier.
No more digging through DM floods for important messages—he sorted and relayed them.
The difference was bigger than I'd thought. Way more time to focus on acting and shooting.
'...But.'
As Ji Eun-seol finished speaking, her manager standing behind her had a subtly odd expression.
Come to think of it, hadn't he hinted I should bring up my agency?
Did her agency want to poach me too?
The chat hadn't lasted long. Shooting was about to start, and it shifted naturally.
Then Blue Nine came calling directly.
Oblivious to her manager's feelings, Ji Eun-seol bragged about her next drama casting and headed off.
In the waiting room.
Jin-su hyung handed me a water bottle and said,
"By the way, got any thoughts on your next project?"
Probably sparked by her story.
I took a sip and pondered.
I hadn't expected the name recognition to hit this hard...
Not bragging—I genuinely hadn't foreseen these view counts.
I'd planned auditions next, maybe indie films. Anything with a role fitting my current spot.
Now that it was happening... nothing much changed.
If anything, incoming castings widened my options?
"Gonna take a break during the semester?"
"No. I'd like to if there's a chance."
"Hmm... Balancing school might limit things."
"Probably."
"Drama might be tough... Wait, pre-production during break? Most OTT stuff is pre-made these days. Want me to look into those?"
"Yeah, please."
Jin-su hyung added to think it over carefully. He knew my schedule.
Lately, it was nonstop chaos. New semester started, shooting wrapping up—and somehow busier as it ended.
Weekends too.
Since joining the agency, profile shoots, agency intros—tons to learn.
'...Right. Wrap up Eighteen's Temperature strong first.'
*
School life... wasn't overwhelming in class, but after was the issue.
"...They really flock."
"Worse than freshman year?"
Every break, strangers approaching warmly. Photos. Just stares.
Responding kindly had become a chore.
Still a rookie—image not set. Avoiding rumors.
Classmates wouldn't faze me, but they saw me as Kim Yul from Eighteen's Temperature or actor Lee Min-woo.
Naturally, chats with some dried up.
U Hana and Lee Seol.
Crowds killed chances, and they seemed wary of eyes on them.
'Just started—probably peaks now.'
Not zero contact, though.
Especially U Hana.
Lunchtime, I entered the classroom with Ji Hyun-su and Seo Jae-hyun after cafeteria, locking eyes with U Hana already seated.
My desk was far from hers.
I'd paired with Ji Hyun-su; Seo Jae-hyun right in front.
A quick eye-greeting, heading to my seat—then her odd look. A hand gesture.
Finger pointing down...
What? I checked my drawer anyway. Crinkly bag feel.
Pulled it out: chocolate.
Ji Hyun-su eyed it beside me, deadpan.
"Another one left behind? Step away and snacks multiply."
Seo Jae-hyun perked up.
"My drawer too?"
"Yours is in view—empty."
"...Buzzkill."
"Preempting disappointment."
"What kinda life's this, Min-woo."
I silently stared at the chocolate, then glanced at U Hana.
You leave this? She nodded.
Then Seo Jae-hyun reached for it.
I dodged smoothly.
"Why? Too much for one."
"Didn't say that."
"You always do."
He was right.
Usually, I'd share these—others grabbed more than me.
But not this time.
Sharing right in front of her... felt off.
I'd hate it.
...Would she care?
"Anyway, hands off."
"Fine. But first time like this, right?"
He squinted at me.
"Know who?"
"Yeah."
"Oho... who?"
I stayed mum; he turned as expected.
"Hana."
"Huh?"
"You were here—saw who hit Min-woo's desk?"
Eyes met U Hana's briefly.
She blinked once, eyes flicking side to side.
Then shook her head casually.
"No clue."
"Too bad."
"Don't steal Min-woo's."
"...Not stealing."
Truth: I'd basically given them away before. Seo Jae-hyun didn't push.