Chapter 129
Chapter 129
I’m Mild Compared to Him
“I-I’m sorry.”
The fuming actor finally kicked the manager in the shin. The kick must have been quite forceful, as the manager crumpled to the ground with a short scream.
“Ugh!”
“Did you just make a sound? Did I tell you to endure it or not?”
It seemed this wasn’t the first or second time, as he berated the manager for not enduring the pain. When the actor kicked his shin again, the manager clenched his teeth and bore it. Yu Yeon-seo frowned.
‘Lee Tae-gyeom should have seen this.’
Aren’t I a pretty good employer by comparison? But Lee Tae-gyeom was back at the agency, opening the gifts that had arrived for Yu Yeon-seo. He had been instructed to check them, just in case ‘that person’ sent something strange again.
‘But should I just let this continue?’
The problem was that no one was stopping him. Everyone pretended not to see, busy with their own work. Yu Yeon-seo narrowed his eyes and scanned his surroundings.
“There he goes again...”
A few nearby staff members sighed pitifully. Yu Yeon-seo quietly stood behind them. He moved so silently that the staff didn’t realize someone was there.
“That water is different from yesterday’s, though.”
“Do you really think it’s because the water smells fishy? He’s just taking out his frustrations with us on his manager.”
What on earth was happening on this set? After his possession, he had only experienced film sets with warm and lively atmospheres, so this was unfamiliar to him.
Ah, no, it wasn’t entirely unfamiliar. During ‘Emergency,‘ he had been in that actor’s position, throwing all sorts of tantrums at the director.
‘But that director bastard crossed the line, too.’
Though not fully synchronized yet, Yu Yeon-seo thought this subconsciously and whispered to Cha Yun-ho, who had also snuck in wearing a hat.
“Has he always been like that?”
“Yes, that actor doesn’t have a very good reputation in the industry. It’s been that way for a long time.”
The actor’s face was familiar. Oh Jin-seong. A relatively well-known male actor in his 40s. He was consistently a second-choice pick for casting in the film industry. In the media, he had a gentle and gentlemanly image, contrary to his face, but as they say, looks can be deceiving.
“How bad is it?”
“Things like that. He’s quite famous for it. There are many victims.”
At the end of Secretary Cha’s nod was Oh Jin-seong, yelling at another actor. The actor, who seemed to be a rookie, turned away, tears welling up in their eyes.
“But he keeps getting cast in projects?”
I have money and Choi Yu-jin as my backer, so that’s understandable, but Oh Jin-seong strangely appeared in many productions.
“Because his acting is quite good. His character interpretations are also excellent. And he has a unique look...”
“Aah... I see. It’s rare to find a face that looks so perfectly suited for playing corrupt characters.”
“As an aside, he openly boasted that he took this role to screw over Mr. Jang Ye-jun. Oh Jin-seong isn’t the type of actor to star in a rookie director’s film. Nor does he have the personality to swallow his pride like that.”
Secretary Cha, who always used honorifics, didn’t use any for Oh Jin-seong. Hadn’t he said he learned the ropes starting as a junior employee at a production company? He must have some history with Oh Jin-seong.
So is this behavior a form of rebellion against the rookie director? Yu Yeon-seo pulled the brim of his hat down, avoiding the gazes of passing staff.
“They must not get along.”
“They don’t seem to say much when they actually meet... It’s more of a rivalry. Like you and Jin Su-ho, Director. Though, of course, not anymore.”
Since the beginning of his acting career, Yu Yeon-seo had been framed as a rival to Jin Su-ho due to their similar backgrounds. However, that rivalry fell apart as Jin Su-ho, who worked like an ox and starred in several hit projects, pulled ahead.
Now, if one had to rank them, they were equals. The public no longer saw them as rivals but simply as two top actors and—though he couldn’t understand why—as best friends in the acting world.
‘I’m not even that close with him.’
Was it because the only actor he’d shown any camaraderie with since the possession was Jin Su-ho? Yu Yeon-seo pushed the thought aside and observed the set again.
‘But don’t the two of them have different images?’
The project Jang Ye-jun showed interest in and ‘However’ share the same synopsis. But to act in the same role in the same project just to keep Jang Ye-jun in check? The images of Jang Ye-jun and Oh Jin-seong were complete opposites.
A colleague from the same company approached Secretary Cha.
“Yun-ho, you’re here?”
“Yes, and this is...”
“Hello.”
He realized the person next to Cha Yun-ho was Yu Yeon-seo and his eyes widened. Yu Yeon-seo looked at him and placed a finger to his lips.
“Shh. Can you explain that for me?”
Oh Jin-seong, who had been fuming for a while, was heading somewhere with his script.
“Uh... Mr. Oh Jin-seong originally wanted the lead role. But his image didn’t fit, so he was cast as the villain.”
He gave up the lead role he wanted and took a supporting one solely to keep Jang Ye-jun in check. And in a rookie director’s debut film, no less. What incredible obsession.
“But Mr. Oh Jin-seong’s acting style is... well, he doesn’t really listen to the director...”
The employee trailed off, perhaps worried it would sound like gossip. As soon as he finished speaking, a commotion erupted from Oh Jin-seong’s direction.
“Director, why do you keep saying such strange things?”
“Mr. Jin-seong... your character interpretation is good, but you still have to follow the script.”
Aha, I get it. That’s not... celebrity syndrome. It’s great-actor syndrome.
Not all actors perform exactly as the script or the director dictates. Of course, there are actors who do their best to deliver what’s asked of them. Directors usually favor such actors, so they continue to get work even if they get caught up in scandals.
But depending on their disposition, some actors mix in excessive ad-libs or interpret their characters completely differently. The problem is, it’s fine if it works out well, but that didn’t seem to be the case for Oh Jin-seong. He believed he was right and was pushing his way through unconditionally.
That kind of behavior only works for an actor like Park Seung-hwan; Oh Jin-seong isn’t at that level...
‘He’s doing well.’
But Lee Jeong-hun wasn’t a pushover either. It was thanks to Yu Yeon-seo having given him a heads-up beforehand, telling him to handle it well since he had his back.
“Mr. Jin-seong, I am the director.”
He was retorting to Oh Jin-seong’s every word, standing his ground without backing down. As these incidents piled up one by one, Oh Jin-seong’s anger boiled over.
‘So that’s why he took it out on his innocent manager...’
And in a performative way, too. As a rookie director, Lee Jeong-hun could intervene in anything related to filming, but he couldn’t stop Oh Jin-seong from protesting by kicking his own manager’s shins.
“I don’t think he was this bad before... He probably won’t be seen much after this movie.”
Because no one will hire him. Secretary Cha felt his mood lift.
“Doesn’t he have any close investors?”
“No. With that personality, would he ever bow down to an investor?”
Rumors spread fast. Especially in the insular film industry. Just like the old Yu Yeon-seo.
No matter that Lee Jeong-hun was a rookie director, if Oh Jin-seong continued to display his foul personality on set like this, soon no director would want to work with him.
It was then that Yu Yeon-seo felt something was off.
“There are a lot of actors like him, right?”
“A lot.”
“Like me a few years ago?”
“Oh, you were mild compared to him, Director. Besides, you also invested money. Of course, you were a bit risky during ‘Emergency,‘ but...”
Yu Yeon-seo realized Secretary Cha’s answer wasn’t simple flattery.
‘That’s strange...’
He knew that he had only met good people and that filming had gone smoothly because everything had revolved around him from the production planning stage. His fellow celebrities were kind to him because of his backing; he had never encountered someone like Oh Jin-seong.
But it was different when he heard stories from other actors or Secretary Cha. There were suffocating wars of nerves between actors, and a few celebrities who threw tantrums like Oh Jin-seong.
And compared to what those people had done, what the original Yu Yeon-seo had done was practically child’s play.
‘My rumors... they seem too exaggerated.’
Even if he had clashed with the director, I’m talking about the rumors that had been circulating openly even before that. Was it because his backing was so solid that people tried to nip him in the bud? That could be it. He shook off the thought.
“Since we’re here, let’s go see Director Lee’s face before we leave.”
This is a director I’m trying to cultivate; I can’t just stand by and watch him be treated like that. Frankly, who knows if Lee Jeong-hun will hit it big like Jeong Da-hee?
“Haa... Let’s just move on to the next scene for now.”
Lee Jeong-hun tried to end the meaningless argument with Oh Jin-seong and escape by resuming filming.
“Director.”
At the familiar voice from behind, a startled Lee Jeong-hun shot to his feet. Yu Yeon-seo took off the baseball cap he had pulled down low and ruffled his flattened hair with his hand. Gasps of admiration rippled through the set as his handsome face was revealed.
“Oh, Mr. Yeon-seo.”
“Our Director Lee, how are you doing? Filming wraps up soon, right?”
Yu Yeon-seo, who usually called him Mr. Lee Jeong-hun and spoke down to him, smiled brightly and used the honorific ‘Director’ to boost his morale.
“Uh... uh, yes.”
He’s good at writing scripts, but his acting skills are lacking. Yu Yeon-seo left the bewildered Lee Jeong-hun behind and smiled at Oh Jin-seong.
“Mr. Oh Jin-seong. Hello.”
“Oh my, hello. I enjoyed your drama.”
A warm smile spread across Oh Jin-seong’s harsh face. He had been so arrogant in front of Lee Jeong-hun, but seeing him immediately grovel revealed his classic tendency to be weak before the strong and strong before the weak.
“I’ve enjoyed your filmography as well, sir. But I heard everything from the corner.”
“Pardon?”
“Don’t overdo it. If you don’t want to lose work.”
He’ll sink on his own even if I don’t step in, anyway. Oh Jin-seong repeated, “Pardon?” at the words that held a meaning contrary to the gentle voice. But Yu Yeon-seo had already slung an arm around Lee Jeong-hun’s shoulders.
“I’m just going to have a quick chat with the director.”
And he led him to a corner of the set.
“That guy, has he been like that since the start of filming?”
“Uh... haha, yes.”
“Why are you just taking it? You should push back. You’re the one in charge on set, Mr. Lee Jeong-hun. Not him.”
Right, this is the real Yu Yeon-seo. Seeing him revert from his gentle smile to his characteristic sullen expression, Lee Jeong-hun’s tension eased.
“No, am I the one in charge now? I haven’t been acting like a tyrant lately...”
Yu Yeon-seo, who had tormented him during the production phase, had left him with trauma. But he also knew that this was his unique way of encouraging him. A smile spread across Lee Jeong-hun’s lips.
“I’m fine.”
“Mr. Lee Jeong-hun, this is why you get your scenarios stolen. You’re too soft.”
“I’m really fine...”
“Then that’s that.”
Yu Yeon-seo shrugged.
“I just hope there are no scandals before the premiere. Things are crazy these days.”
While he was focused on filming ‘The Imperial Seal,‘ a series of incidents rocked the entertainment industry. School bullying controversies erupted with a stream of accusers, a celebrity was exposed for not paying child support for a hidden child, and a string of stars caused social disturbances with DUIs and other issues.
The problem was that all the projects they were set to appear in, or that were scheduled to air, came to a halt.
-It’s already aired up to episode 2, what are they gonna do?
-They’re halting the broadcast and replacing the actor!
-My favorite actor’s movie premiere was canceled, and it’s going straight to streaming T_T The production company is on the verge of bankruptcy T_T
-To cover the losses for that drama that’s in chaos, it seems like the only options are to cram it with PPL or bring in Yu Yeon-seo lol
└fr the only way to save our drama is Yu Yeon-seo
└praying for Yu Yeon-seo in our drama
In this situation, it was Yu Yeon-seo whose stock rose. Unlike before, he now had good acting skills, was personally willing and able to invest, and had an abundance of advertising sponsors who would more than cover any production losses if he decided to star in a project.
“Even if there is a scandal, you have to bury it well. At least until the movie premieres and finishes its run.”
“I hear you’re getting a lot of offers, Mr. Yeon-seo. Are you not taking any?”
“It’s a hassle.”
In reality, Yu Yeon-seo was indifferent, his mind preoccupied with other problems.
“Anyway, I’ve seen your face, so that’s enough. ‘However’ has to be a blockbuster. You know that, right?”
“You said you wouldn’t pressure me.”
“It’s not pressure, it’s encouragement.”
Seeing Lee Jeong-hun’s shoulders slump, Yu Yeon-seo gave him a light tap.
“No word from Gusang Films?”
“No. It’s been strangely quiet.”
Gusang Films had apparently been persistently contacting him, begging and threatening, even after ‘However’ began filming.
It’s probably nothing. Yu Yeon-seo dismissed it casually.
“Secretary Cha, wrap things up and go home.”
“Yes, Director.”
Hooray, I get to leave early! Secretary Cha beamed and shouted loudly.
“The Director has prepared a meal for all of you working hard on ‘However’!”
Yu Yeon-seo left the cheering staff behind and got into his car.