The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Chapter 156

**@yeonjae_day**

It’s magnificent… The first actor I ever stanned has filmed his first movie, and he’s the first Korean to win Best Actor, and the youngest in history to do so… Is this real? Am I dreaming right now…

**@ball_hihi**

What’s so great about winning the Best Actor award at Cannes? Is Korea really this hyped? Am I the only one not interested in the Best Actor award? There are so many things to watch, why is everyone losing their minds over just one Best Actor award?

**@daehagwonsaeng**

Ugh, I’m so pissed. Who cares about the Best Actor award? What’s up with Lee Yeon-jae and French? My professor is definitely going to ask about it tomorrow with that smug look… Why do you all have worse pronunciation than a 15-year-old? Dammit, I’m already tearing up.

**Practice Lee Yeon-jae’s Best Actor award acceptance speech in French, “Bonne soirée,” with us! (+Tips from a current instructor)**

— **The lesson is too fast, teacher** (28k likes)

— The difficulty contrasts with the smiling face…

— Thank you. I wanted to learn French because of Lee Yeon-jae and had been watching some videos, but I completely lost interest. Thank you for stopping my sudden enthusiasm (90k likes)

— Same here, hehe. Canceled the French textbook I ordered, hehe

**[Title: Guys, what do I do if someone my age keeps hitting on me?]**

They keep making eye contact with me; it’s awkward;;

Their specs are the youngest Best Actor award winner ever, and their looks are out of this world.

They’re also good at foreign languages. Their personality seems kind and nice too. What do I do??

I wish they’d stop looking at me… It’s awkward whenever we make eye contact.

But I don’t understand why they’re only on TV.

Are they shy?ㅎ

— Please… please get a grip.

— Hahahahahahahaha

— But I was kind of smitten too…ㅎ Lee Yeon-jae smiling and greeting in French was short but intense.

— Yeah, I wasn’t thinking much about it, but that part made me stop… His voice was lower than usual, and it was killer.

— They say your voice pitch changes when you speak a foreign language. It’s different from Korean in terms of pitch or something.

**[Title: I think the time has come…]**

Yeon-jae… Isn’t it time you made a movie playing father and son with Lee Jung-hyun?

I’m still waiting.

I think now is the perfect time.

— Grandma, please stop. It’s been two years already.

— (cursing) Shut up

— Aren’t they 16 years apart? Wouldn’t that be more like a younger brother than a son? Why do people keep pairing them as father and son, lol?

— (cursing) Look at the photos of Lee Jung-hyun from today on ✖️Star and then talk. How is that the look someone gives their younger sibling? It’s the look you give your son.

— Lol, checked out the photos because of the comment above, and wow, those eyes really are dripping honey, lol. Jung-hyun, did you give birth to Lee Yeon-jae…?

**[Title: Things Lee Yeon-jae has achieved since his first movie]**

— Lead role in Yoon Kang-yeon’s work

— Longest standing ovation in Cannes Film Festival history

— Best-dressed on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet (criteria: me)

— First Korean/youngest Best Actor award winner worldwide (new!)

— Epic French acceptance speech (new!)

— Sir, there seems to be something strange mixed in here.

— Is he really 15? This can’t be right. I was picking my nose back then…

— Did Lee Yeon-jae really master English and French in four months? I heard he’s getting tons of casting offers locally.

—? Is that true?

— No, just baseless rumor

— When is “Twins” being released in Korea? I’m getting impatient.

* * *

“Actor, you have 30 minutes until your next schedule. Please take a short nap.”

“Hyung, how long will it take to get there?”

After being told it would take about 10 minutes, I hesitated and spoke.

“I’m really sorry, but can we rest for five minutes before leaving?”

I didn’t want to act immature, but I was really tired.

Even though I didn’t usually get carsick, moving around continuously for days made me feel unwell.

Jin-bae hyung immediately agreed and reclined my seat.

“I’m sorry, Actor. I mentioned it to the company yesterday, but they said there’s nothing they can do right now….”

“It’s not your fault I have a packed schedule, hyung. Don’t apologize.”

“Of course, it’s my fault. Managing your condition is my job.”

I stopped him before he could apologize endlessly.

Thankfully, Jin-bae hyung didn’t say more, and I closed my eyes to rest.

‘I wish I could rest for a whole day.’

It had been a week since I returned to Korea.

It felt like a dream that I was lazing around in France as I was now swamped with work.

To be honest, it felt off from the moment I arrived at the airport on my first day back.

‘Hyung, why are there so many people….’

There hadn’t been a small crowd when I left either, but now it was several times larger.

Even public broadcasters came to interview me, and I had to give a statement in the middle of the airport.

‘Is this really necessary?’

Of course, I understood the greatness of the Cannes Film Festival’s history.

I didn’t mean to belittle the value of the Best Actor award. Who was I to do that?

But the endless praise, as if I had become a national representative, was honestly a bit overwhelming.

‘I still don’t know how that dinner with the President ended.’

I spent the week attending banquets, giving interviews, and working non-stop.

Even during all this, I had to wake up early for acting practice, making me even more exhausted.

Despite finally being in Korea, I hadn’t even visited my home.

‘Haah, don’t complain.’

I couldn’t whine. No matter what, I was now in Korea.

If I were still in France, I wouldn’t have received this message.

**[Real Best Friend Bi-hyuk: I left honey on your dining table. It’s good for recovery. Mix it with water when you get home. Isn’t Bi-hyuk the best? ⸜(๑’ᵕ’๑)⸝]**

I chuckled at the message that came with his selfie.

“…Hyung, I’m okay now. Let’s go.”

Putting my phone back in my pocket, I told him, and Jin-bae hyung started the car.

“You’ll be able to rest well in three days. Team Leader Woo promised to clear your schedule for that day.”

“That’s great. Let’s go for a drive that day.”

“I’d love that! Just hang in there a bit longer, Actor!”

His energetic voice made me smile.

Yeah, I really liked being in Korea.

* * *

Three days later, right after my early morning acting practice, I headed out.

Jin-bae hyung and I had breakfast together and went for a drive, just the two of us.

We were quiet, just enjoying the scenery. The silence was peaceful.

After having lunch at a nearby chicken soup place, we returned home to find Noh Bi-hyuk waiting.

While chatting with the lively guy, I mentioned feeling stiff, which made Bi-hyuk brighten up.

“Want to go to an acupuncture clinic together? There’s a good one near my place. It should be empty around this time.”

“Acupuncture?”

“Yeah. I go there when I sprain something during dance practice. It really works.”

Interesting. I thought he’d be too scared to get acupuncture. He was braver than I thought.

So, we went to the clinic.

Lying side by side on two beds in a room, an elderly acupuncturist came in.

Bi-hyuk got needles mainly in his legs, while I had them in my shoulders and neck.

“Hey. You look like a real hedgehog right now.”

“…?”

What?

I replied with a look, and he laughed.

In the afternoon, I invited people over for a meal at my place.

Jung-hyun hyung, busy with filming, joined via video call, while Nam In-hoo, Sung Lee-jun, and Noh Bi-hyuk were there in person.

While watching Lee-jun and Bi-hyuk chatter away, I felt a presence beside me.

“Yeon-jae.”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you so much for mentioning me in your acceptance speech….”

Nam In-hoo’s eyes were slightly red as he softly whispered.

It was awkward, but I tried to reply as casually as possible.

“I had to mention you. I felt bad going alone.”

“Don’t say something so silly. You were the lead actor.”

His face showed no negative emotions, making it easier to speak.

“Next time, let’s go together.”

“……”

“I really enjoyed acting with you this time. I think it’d be great to act together again in the next project.”

It took Nam In-hoo a while to respond.

“…I’d like that too.”

His voice was choked.

Unlike the lively chatter from the others, it was quiet where we were.

But it wasn’t uncomfortable.

* * *

While peaceful and hectic days

alternated, I got a new job offer.

The company’s reaction was intense.

Team Leader Woo, Jin-bae hyung, and all the staff were united.

Absolutely, over my dead body, no.

“Over my dead body. The crap they pulled at the end still makes me jump awake at night.”

I awkwardly replied to Team Leader Woo’s stern voice.

“I don’t think the drama’s success was just because of me.”

“If you weren’t in it, it definitely wouldn’t have been such a hit. I’m not just saying this because you’re my talent; I’ve looked at the objective data.”

I wondered when I became Team Leader Woo’s talent, but I just laughed.

‘How should I convince them?’

It was tricky because I was actually in favor of it.

I hesitated on how to start, but Jin-bae hyung spoke first.

“Actor… Do you want to do it?”

His voice was incredulous.

Everyone, including Team Leader Woo, turned to look at me.

Feeling the heat from their gazes, I replied awkwardly.

“…It’s just one shoot. It’s a simple cameo.”

“Did you forget the crap they pulled at the end? In your vlogs and live streams!”

“I haven’t forgotten. Calm down, Team Leader.”

I barely managed to calm down the usually cold Team Leader Woo, who was now agitated.

Right, we were discussing the cameo offer for “Goodbye, My Summer” Season 2.

Season 1 had been such a hit that Season 2 was getting a cable drama slot.

It was an entirely new cast, essentially a different show with the same title.

But they wanted Kim Ho-yoon and Jang Han-na to make a surprise cameo at the beginning of Episode 1.

“They were so desperate. They must have seen the news about your Best Actor award. It’s typical in this industry, but it’s still funny.”

Yeah. Every time I looked at the flood of messages on my phone, I thought the same.

After the award, countless people sent me congratulatory messages.

Even the main PD of “Dogs’ Leash,” where I appeared as an extra at Sung Lee-jun’s request.

He congratulated me and cautiously asked if I could be in his next project.

His attitude was starkly different from before. It was amusing and a bit bitter.

“Do you seriously want to shoot with those people again?”

His tone made it clear he couldn’t understand, and I scratched my neck.

“Honestly, I don’t want to work with them either. And I hate being seen as an easy mark.”

“Then why?”

Facing their curious stares, I answered sheepishly.

“Because I think the Byeon fans would love it.”

“……”