Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Starting Off on the Wrong Foot
Yu Yeon-seo felt pretty good as he left the action school.
‘Is this what it feels like to be a student?’
It was because this was the first time he had interacted with people so positively.
The only times Kang Jin-hu had been surrounded by so many people were when planning operations before heading to the surface, and when carrying them out.
After missions, he would watch old videos alone in his coop-like home. He never really socialized with many people, partly because he had no one to call a friend, and partly due to a strict rule prohibiting gatherings of more than five people during free time to prevent potential rebellions.
‘Maybe I should keep coming here regularly, even after the movie is done...’
In that sense, attending the action school was a source of joy.
As Yu Yeon-seo was lost in thought, observing the people on the street, Lee Tae-gyeom, who was driving, spoke up.
“Manager Park told me to keep an eye on you. He was practically begging me to make sure you behave yourself...”
“Why?”
“Heard you went to a meeting like this once and caused a huge scene. Don’t you remember?”
Oh, original self, what have you done? Yu Yeon-seo pressed a hand to his forehead.
“I don’t. As long as I don’t do it again, it’s fine. Manager Park has no faith in me.”
“Just think about everything you’ve done until now. Well, as long as you keep acting like you are now, it should be fine...”
The problem is, I still don’t know what I’ve done until now. Yu Yeon-seo sighed.
Piecing together stories from the CEO, Manager Park, and various online rumors, it seemed Yu Yeon-seo had been a tyrant not only to his co-stars but also on set. It was a wonder no major scandal had erupted yet.
‘Living like that from now on would certainly be comfortable.’
Acting like a king on set, with no one to bother him, just like the original Yu Yeon-seo? Honestly, it would be easy. But he didn’t want that.
[Acting isn’t something you do alone. Synergy with other actors is crucial. And a project doesn’t succeed just because one actor does well.]
[It’s possible because the writer, the director, and every single staff member put in the effort. If you are truly serious about this path, Mr. Yu Yeon-seo, please respect everyone involved in the production.]
Just as Park Hyeon-jeong had said, it might be comfortable on set, but creating synergy for a great final product would be difficult. Besides, Yu Yeon-seo had come to enjoy interacting with people. He even wanted to make some good friends if possible.
“Compared to back then, you’re an angel now. But you and your fans are all nuts. Remember that wrap party cake incident? I seriously thought a fight was going to break out.”
Not a bickering relationship like the one I have with Lee Tae-gyeom. Still, for all his chatter, he’s a good driver. That must be why Im Seung-hyeon isn’t saying anything from the passenger seat.
‘How should I act from now on?’
He needed a new strategy to shed his notorious industry reputation. If he changed too drastically, people would get suspicious...
‘Come to think of it, there were a lot of people at the action school who didn’t like me either...’
Not everyone looked at him favorably. Some were sarcastic and jealous, wondering if they were just being used for a rich kid’s hobby. And with his keen observation skills, there was no way Yu Yeon-seo wouldn’t have noticed.
‘But they’ve all become so friendly now, haven’t they?’
He had been born with a lot of money, and thanks to a natural talent for making it grow, he was filthy rich. It seemed he would die before he could spend it all, so he just started spending it on whatever he could.
[You really don’t have to do all this...]
[Director, it’s just that the equipment I have to use is too dirty.]
First, he replaced all the old equipment at the action school. He provided meals and snacks during training. He even bought workout clothes for trainees who couldn’t afford them. After this deliberate material offensive, even those who had viewed him negatively began to see him in a new light.
[He’s actually a pretty decent guy. Why are the rumors so bad?]
[Someone must have had a grudge against him.]
[Who buys this much stuff and just says they “picked it up on the way”? Is this that tsundere thing?]
[Anyone who buys you food is a good person...]
Just then, he remembered a community post he’d seen somewhere and searched his own name. One post stood out.
-Get slapped by Yu Yeon-seo and receive 10 million won vs. Just live your life
└11111
└Isn’t 1 the obvious choice?
└11
└I’d offer the other cheek and take 20 million
└└This this this
This was it.
Park Min-woo, cast as the lead in White Tiger, was a rookie who had made a name for himself in a drama based on a webtoon. Though a newcomer, his project had been a massive hit, making him a rising star currently capturing the public’s full attention.
“Is he really that bad?”
“Try not to talk to him. He might try to harm you for taking the lead role.”
“How could he? We’re going to be working together.”
Besides, the movie was only greenlit because of Yu Yeon-seo. He didn’t know why Yu Yeon-seo had chosen a supporting role despite having first pick, but it was unlikely he’d complain about not getting the lead.
‘Surely the rumors can’t all be true. They must have been exaggerated as they spread from person to person.’
Park Min-woo was thrilled about his first leading role in a movie. He was already running on pure optimism.
“Anyway, that Yu Yeon-seo guy doesn’t come out of his car once his scenes are done. For today, just listen quietly to the director and writer.”
He was being sternly warned by the management director who had accompanied him.
According to the rumors, Yu Yeon-seo hated anyone more talented than him and would subtly torment them. They expected Park Min-woo, who was currently receiving a lot of positive attention, to be his next target.
“I don’t know, I think it’ll be worse between Han-gyeol and him.”
Park Min-woo already knew Lee Han-gyeol. They had worked together on a one-act play. At his words, the management director ran a hand through his hair.
“Hah... the atmosphere is going to be a total mess.”
“How did we all end up meeting like this? It must be fate.”
“I don’t know, maybe it’s a twisted fate, not a good one. The director requested him, which is a real headache. Does he not know how bad things are between Yu Yeon-seo and that guy?”
“Maybe he’s so focused on his films that he’s slow on industry news. Like an eccentric genius?”
Park Min-woo chuckled softly. Just then, someone stepped out of the central elevator. Long legs, a well-proportioned body, and features so distinct they were clear even from a distance...
“It’s Yu Yeon-seo.”
“I’m going to go greet him.”
“Wait, Min-woo.”
Despite the management director’s attempt to stop him, Park Min-woo strode confidently toward Yu Yeon-seo.
“Where is it?”
“That way... I think?”
“Hey, Lee Tae-gyeom, are you even a manager?”
“I haven’t even been working for six months, you know? Wait here, I’ll go check.”
Lee Tae-gyeom scurried down the hallway. Yu Yeon-seo sighed. He thought he’d been drilling him diligently, but seeing this lack of discipline, it seemed he still had a long way to go.
“He’s trying his best, running like that. Why not let it slide, young master?”
“I’m not that angry.”
Im Seung-hyeon smiled faintly. He wore the exact same expression as Yu Eun-ho when he looked at Yu Yeon-seo. Is he treating me like a little brother...? Yu Yeon-seo scratched his cheek, feeling awkward.
‘Anyway, what do they even talk about in these meetings?’
Yu Yeon-seo glanced down at the White Tiger script in his hand.
When he had turned on his auto-pilot mode, White Tiger had been a borderline project. The way he kept picking up and putting down the script suggested that even with his original self’s eye for projects, it didn’t smell like a blockbuster, but maybe just a decent enough piece?
But it didn’t matter. He had chosen this project to experience being on set and based on things he had experienced before.
“Hello, sir.”
Park Min-woo hesitated for a moment at the sight of him scolding his manager, but soon gathered his courage and greeted Yu Yeon-seo.
“...Hello. Mr. Park Min-woo? I look forward to working with you.”
“I look forward to working with you too!”
He returned the greeting so gently, and he even knew his name? Park Min-woo and his management director were inwardly shocked.
Yu Yeon-seo was inwardly surprised as well. Although the exact titles of the works were intentionally blocked by Beta to prevent a butterfly effect, he knew Park Min-woo had appeared in many dramas and movies.
Judging by the quality and artistry of his projects, and the fact that he continued to appear steadily even as he aged into a veteran actor, Park Min-woo was destined to become a great one.
“I didn’t think you’d know my name. I’m still just a rookie...”
“Yes, well...”
And this person is still a rookie. Yu Yeon-seo could feel the heart of a fan meeting someone they admired. He had really enjoyed this actor’s work, even rewatching some of it several times.
“They said our meeting is over that way.”
“Is that so? Hey! Lee Tae-gyeom!”
Yu Yeon-seo called out to Lee Tae-gyeom, who had run off in the opposite direction. Just then, the elevator doors opened and someone stepped out.
“Han-gyeol.”
“Min-woo, long time no see.”
It was Lee Han-gyeol of One Seven. He clasped Park Min-woo’s raised hand as if for a high-five, turning it into a brief handshake.
“What are you doing standing here?”
“Just saying hello to a senior actor.”
“A senior actor?”
Only then did Lee Han-gyeol notice Yu Yeon-seo standing behind Park Min-woo. As their eyes met, the atmosphere grew colder.
“Yu Yeon-seo. It’s been a while for you, too.”
“Hello, Mr. Lee Han-gyeol.”
Lee Han-gyeol raised an eyebrow. He clearly looked displeased.
“So you won’t even call me ‘brother’ anymore.”
Huh? Who is this? Yu Yeon-seo tilted his head.
“Were we ever close enough to be like brothers?”
He was genuinely asking because he was curious, but Lee Han-gyeol took it differently.
Behind Lee Han-gyeol, Lee Tae-gyeom was waving his hands frantically at Yu Yeon-seo, as if to say, No, no! Don’t say that!
“Fine. If that’s how you want to think of it.”
Disappointed, Lee Han-gyeol turned and walked away. Caught in the middle, Park Min-woo just watched awkwardly before following Lee Han-gyeol toward the conference room.
“What was that...?”
Left behind, Yu Yeon-seo stared at their backs in confusion. Im Seung-hyeon, the only one there who knew about his amnesia, spoke up quietly.
“Young master, that was One Seven. The group you were briefly a part of.”
“Ah.”
Come to think of it, he seemed to recall seeing that on his wiki page.
‘I’ve started off on the wrong foot.’
If this was a long-standing grudge, his strategy of throwing money around probably wouldn’t work. Yu Yeon-seo clicked his tongue in disappointment.