Chapter 141
Translator: uly
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: Ability Stats Application Method (2)
“If I do that, would you accept it?”
“Have you lost your mind?”
“Aw, what a shame. Anyway.”
Woo Do-gyeom smacked his lips as if he were genuinely disappointed, then continued.
“You don’t look like the type who cares about that sort of thing, but you do? Does it bother you that much?”
“What do you mean, I don’t look like the type who cares?”
“You seem utterly indifferent to others’ opinions.”
That was somewhat true.
“Even so, I won’t tolerate anyone belittling my hard work. And it’s a nuisance to everyone else I worked with, too.”
No one else would be happy if all their efforts ended up credited to Woo Do-gyeom.
“Take responsibility and clear up the rumors properly. The premiere’s right around the corner, and I hate any weird noise like this.”
It was his first film ever. He absolutely refused to let it get tainted.
“How strange. I didn’t start those rumors, so why are you getting mad at me? I’ve been on my best behavior since you scolded me. I feel a bit wronged.”
“……So just cut it out, okay? Moderation.”
Woo Do-gyeom pondered for a moment, then flashed a smooth smile.
“Hmm. That might be tricky. Anyway, as you said, I’ll handle this one thoroughly. If it bothers you that much, it should bother me just as much. It probably won’t take long.”
He was unpredictable, but if you had to pick one of Woo Do-gyeom’s few virtues, this was it. He never made empty promises or exaggerated claims. Even something like “I’ll give you the stars” would be different coming from him. Whether it meant calling up NASA or donating a fortune to an observatory with meteorite fragments, he was the type to somehow make it happen and hand you a real “star.”
You might think, “Who’s crazy enough to do that?” But that was Woo Do-gyeom.
So naturally,
“I’ll trust you.”
There was no choice but to believe him.
“Since you put it that way, I’ll put in even more effort. So, what’ll you give me in return?”
“Pardon?”
“How about some tickets?”
“……What tickets?”
“The premiere tickets. For VIPs and press.”
“……?”
Hey now?
Yeonwoo’s expression turned icy.
The single largest investor was asking for premiere tickets. There were tickets allocated for the cast, but he had zero intention of handing them over.
“Watch it however you want. I know a seat’s already been arranged for you, so enjoy it there. Anyway, we’re done talking, so I’ll head out first.”
Yeonwoo rose without hesitation and headed for the door. Woo Do-gyeom’s voice trailed after him.
“It’s better when you’re invited, though.”
Yeonwoo let the words flow in one ear and out the other as he left.
The film’s release was right around the corner. He had no attention to spare elsewhere.
*
“Yeonwoo-ssi, have you ever done theater or something?”
With the premiere just days away, the actors’ schedules had grown hectic. They were in the middle of their second interview of the day.
As the blinding lights dimmed one by one, Yeon Do-hee leaned in slightly and asked.
“No.”
“Then maybe you worked as a reporter somewhere…? Your enunciation is so clear—announcer background? Nah, I’d know if that were the case.”
Yeon Do-hee furrowed her brow in thought.
“None of the above. But why do you ask?”
“No matter how I look at it, you’re way too composed.”
“Pardon?”
“I know your acting is flawless. But this… it’s a bit different from acting and facing the media, right?”
She’d heard of actors who nailed their craft but were sloppy outside of it. Like reclusive types who rarely ventured out, or those too shy to speak properly despite their bold on-screen personas. Some even had camera shyness or full-blown phobias.
“Rookies especially don’t get much practice with this stuff soon after debuting. They stiffen up, and the vibe gets awkward. It gets smoother and more polished with time.”
“Ah…….”
“But you? Not a hint of nerves. You handled that surprise question so smoothly earlier.”
The surprise question must’ve been the cheeky one from the entertainment reporter.
-So, Yeonwoo-ssi! How’s Do-hee-ssi as a girlfriend? Word is your chemistry is off the charts—has anything progressed in real life?!
It wasn’t in the script. And it was incredibly rude to boot. A single slip could drag the yet-to-release film into scandal territory—a potential bomb.
If Yeonwoo had faltered, stuttered, or shown even a flicker of awkwardness, the mood might’ve turned weird.
But.
-I’m thrilled you see it that way—it means you enjoyed our acting. I’d welcome someone like Senior Yeon Do-hee anytime. But I’m so far beneath her that the thought never crosses my mind. Not even in my wildest dreams.
His tone was impeccably polite and courteous. He’d preempted any openings for follow-ups while showing consideration for Yeon Do-hee. And he’d smoothly tied it back to the film. Textbook perfect—no flaws.
“Usually, we’d both dodge something like that, but that reporter was rude. You handled it great, or it could’ve spiraled into weird territory. Might’ve ditched the movie talk for gossip instead.”
Yeon Do-hee shuddered at the thought.
“Anyway, glad you’re so pros at this.”
Truth be told, Yeonwoo had been thrown off by the question too. It was a promo interview—every answer could shape impressions of the unreleased film. They’d all been prepped meticulously in advance, just stick to the script……
‘Didn’t expect the Survival Expert skill to kick in there.’
The S-grade stat he’d acquired from survival guru Adrian.
Survival Expert.
‘My mind suddenly sharpened, thoughts organized perfectly…….’
He hadn’t seen that coming. Could stats apply like this?
Well, on second thought, it was a “survival” threat. More precisely, career sabotage. Botching early promo could tank the film’s odds.
And that would lead to……
‘Failure to secure lifespan.’
Failing to secure lifespan tied straight to Yeonwoo’s survival. The system was showing some flexibility, perhaps.
“But seriously, no prior experience? Child actor maybe?”
“Nope.”
“No way one drama gives off this kind of presence…….”
Yeon Do-hee kept tilting her head curiously, though she acknowledged it was impressive.
Then, as if remembering something else, she shivered again.
“Just the premiere left now. Eek, exciting.”
Tension flickered in Yeon Do-hee’s eyes.
“It’s my first one.”
“The debut showcase, you mean.”
“Yeah. You know how they say you gotta nail the first shot? Or that a good start is half the battle.”
“That important?”
“Kinda. It’s our first reveal, where the work gets its initial judgment…… Bad buzz here makes everything after miserable. Word of mouth is brutal.”
In short, crucial.
It made sense. Hordes of reporters. Film buffs. Invited celebs. Massive spotlight.
“Critic scores and such usually drop around then…… That kinda vibe.”
“I see.”
“Come to think of it, you’ve never done a premiere?”
“Nope.”
“Right, first film. Whoa, hold on. Did I just jinx you? Our Yeonwoo-ssi must be nervous…… Nah, not you.”
Yeon Do-hee startled, glanced at him, then grinned with relief.
“We just gotta trust Director Ji and wait. You worked hard nursing him along. Funnel down the nutrients—bound to be epic.”
“Funnel…… probably not that extreme.”
“Bet it was. Never seen anyone dote like you did on Director Ji. No wonder he adores you.”
“…….”
Felt off, but Yeonwoo stayed quiet. Yeon Do-hee knew Director Ji longer, so she’d know.
Indeed, as she said, while getting pampered for the release schedule, Yeonwoo had diligently visited the studio.
[Yeonwoo-ya. That bear’s revived again.]
Every visit, it was like a zombie turning human—dramatic as hell. Eventually, he stopped by just to see it.
Even the Child Spirit,
[That one…… beyond saving……. No wonder our actor’s been stressing……]
muttered about shooting himself in the foot.
“If the premiere goes well, the rest of the promo’ll be smoother.”
Poor reaction meant hell for promo tours, she said.
“It’ll go great.”
Kwon Sung-hyun—whose synopsis picks never flopped—had personally vouched for it. No way it wouldn’t.
“You saying that actually reassures me. ……This really your first film, right?”
“Yes.”
“Hope I’m not the only nervous one that day…….”
By then, the set was cleared. The reporter approached with a friendly wave and left first.
“See you in a few days? Gulp, right?”
“Yeah. See you then—take care.”
“Hahaha! Seeing you two today screams hit—I don’t need to do much. Anyway, catch you later. Thanks for the great interview!”
Reporter gone, Yeon Do-hee sighed deeply.
“Annoying guy…… But after he sees the film, he’ll shut up. Let’s make it happen!”
Yeonwoo nodded with a smile at her sparkling eyes.
“It’ll definitely be a hit.”
And so, the Gulp premiere day arrived swiftly.
“Today’s the day. Nervous?”
“……A little?”
He believed it’d go well, but Yeonwoo was human—some tension was inevitable.
Kwon Sung-hyun—dressed sharply—chuckled at the answer. Before stepping out of the car, his hands meticulously adjusted Yeonwoo’s attire.
“No need to worry.”
Kwon Sung-hyun said.
“My eye’s never wrong.”
[Yep. If all else fails, trust the one who trusts our actor: me trusting you, Yeonwoo-ya!]
A cute sparrow on Kwon Sung-hyun’s shoulder chirped encouragement.
“Go on. Knock ’em dead. Meet at the venue.”
With a gentle push on Yeonwoo’s back, Kwon Sung-hyun sent him off.
Click.
A staffer opened the door.
“Kang Yeonwoo-ssi!”
“Kang Yeonwoo-ssi, over here!”
Flashflashflash!
Waiting cameras erupted in flashes.
The photo wall felt miles away.
Yeonwoo took a deep breath.
And stepped forward calmly.
The premiere had begun.