The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Chapter 157

Even with just a little browsing on the internet, it was easy to see that many fans liked Kim Ho-yoon’s performance in ‘Goodbye, My Summer.’

‘It was the same at the fan meeting.’

During the fan meeting, when we recreated scenes, Kim Ho-yoon’s lines were overwhelmingly popular.

Above all, didn’t Kim Ho-yoon and Jung Han-na end with an open ending?

I thought fans would like it if they appeared as a couple, even briefly, as cameos.

“……Sigh.”

Team Leader Woo looked around at the staff and spoke in a tone of resignation.

“See? Didn’t I tell you? Talking to him feels like being exorcised.”

I found it strange that they talked as if I were some sort of devil.

I wondered if it was just me who didn’t understand, as the other staff quietly nodded at Team Leader Woo’s words.

“Actor, you’ve been having a hard time lately… How about just passing on this one?”

Jin-bae hyung hesitated for a long time, barely managing to speak a word, as if he couldn’t bring himself to criticize me.

‘Tsk, it’s ruined.’

In a situation where the company’s people were so opposed, I couldn’t just stubbornly insist on doing it.

To be honest, I wasn’t that eager anyway. I didn’t want to look like a pushover either.

“Alright. I won’t do it then.”

As soon as I finished speaking, sighs of relief erupted around me.

Team Leader Woo jumped up, saying he would call the production side right away.

‘Everyone was really upset.’

To be honest, the feelings were long gone, as it was such a long time ago.

Of course, I was still angry that the orphanage almost got criticized because of the vlog.

I had already confirmed through Mist that the person who leaked the video was from the production.

But anyway, it was a well-resolved incident.

I wasn’t on bad terms with the staff, except for a few key people.

‘It’s a bit of a shame.’

The few pages of the script sent by the production were full of sweet lines, as if they had been soaked in a tub of romance.

I had never tried such acting before, so I was somewhat curious.

‘Let’s end it here.’

Since I had decided not to do it, thinking any more about it would be inefficient.

I organized my thoughts like that. Clearly, I did, but….

* * *

The next day, I got a call from Team Leader Woo.

―Yeon-jae, can you come to the office now?

“Now?”

His voice sounded very troubled and awkward.

‘What’s this feeling of incongruity?’

But strangely, it felt like another emotion was mixed in.

A peculiar sense of ‘happiness’ was felt in a higher tone than usual.

‘Let’s just answer for now.’

I was puzzled, but since I had nothing else to do, I decided to respond.

But the other person spoke first.

―Oh, right. I know you’re busy. Yes, yes. Then when would be convenient for you?

“…?”

What was this? I was momentarily dumbfounded.

“Team Leader?”

―Three hours later? Okay. Yes, don’t push yourself too hard.

“No… why are you doing this?”

―No, don’t worry about it. Just finish what you’re doing. Everyone in Korea knows how busy you are right now.

I was speechless.

Team Leader Woo ended the call after saying what he wanted.

I was momentarily dumbfounded by what seemed like poor phone etiquette.

A few minutes later, I understood the situation after seeing the messages that came in succession.

[Team Leader Woo Hyun-woo: Yeon-jae, it’s amazing ㅇ right nowㅋㅋㅋㅋ I want to take a picture and send it to you]

[Team Leader Woo Hyun-woo: The production people came in groups and are waiting in the conference roomㅋㅋ]

[Team Leader Woo Hyun-woo: I asked if they came to propose again, and they vehemently denied itㅋㅋ They said they just wanted to apologize for the past even if it’s lateㅋㅋ Our people are quietly laughing and going crazy]

[Team Leader Woo Hyun-woo: Ah, it feels so goodㅋㅋㅋ Come about 4 hours later. You have to come with a very tired face. Got it?]

He seemed really excited.

Someone I thought would never use ‘ㅋㅋ’ in a message sent one.

Even though the text didn’t move, I could sense the uncontrollable laughter.

After letting out a chuckle, I went to the office four hours later as Team Leader Woo suggested.

Putting on a tired face wasn’t difficult.

“Hello.”

“Oh, Yeon-jae!”

As soon as I entered the conference room, the head of the production, who looked like he had committed treason, approached me.

“Thank you for coming despite being busy. Really.”

“No, sorry for making you wait.”

“Oh, no! We’re the ones who came without notice.”

The sarcastic tone from the video leak incident was nowhere to be found.

His eyes, moving quickly as if trying to please me, were not pleasant to watch.

‘Why are they all acting like this?’

I had all sorts of thoughts but tried not to think too deeply.

I had heard that this industry was like this, and it wasn’t something I could change.

“The reason we came is… we feel like we unintentionally hurt you a lot during Season 1. We didn’t wrap it up well, so it’s a shame….”

The long explanation ended with, ‘We really messed up, but we’ll do well this time, so please appear just once.’

Seeing no reaction from me, the person’s voice began to waver.

I turned my eyes to look at Team Leader Woo.

After confirming his slight nod, I spoke.

“Yes. Thank you for the apology.”

“……Then, about the cameo appearance….”

“I don’t mind appearing. But since my schedule isn’t something I can decide alone, I think you need to discuss it with the company.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the people’s gazes turned to Team Leader Woo.

With a much stiffer face than usual, he responded to my words.

“There are already scheduled activities, so we need to check and will contact you again tomorrow or the day after. We also need to discuss the conditions… For now, please go back today.”

With a flawless voice, the other party hesitated and left without a word.

Team Leader Woo, still stern-faced, saw them off politely.

But it was too clear to my eyes.

‘Is he that happy?’

Team Leader Woo was very excited.

I held back a chuckle at the sight of his childlike excitement, something I had never seen before.

‘So this is the kind of person who gets called a team leader in the entertainment industry.’

It was interesting to see someone enjoying the duality of the entertainment world so thoroughly.

People really were diverse.

* * *

“Hello.”

On the day of the ‘Goodbye, My Summer Season 2’ shoot, I got out of the car and greeted everyone.

But….

“Yeon-jae, you’re here?!”

“Oh my, it’s been so long. How have you been?”

“You’ve gotten even more handsome!”

“I watched ‘Twins’ yesterday. I’m a huge fan.”

The PD and staff came rushing towards me.

There were familiar faces and new ones.

I was overwhelmed, busy thanking them.

People who looked at me as a ‘cute little brother’ a year ago now saw me as a ‘strange celebrity,’ making me feel strange.

‘Well…, I’ll have to get used to it.’

Although it was a somewhat complicated feeling, I knew it wasn’t something to view negatively.

It was natural, after all.

‘Let’s focus on the shoot for now.’

If the feeling persisted after the shoot, I could talk it over with Jin-bae hyung.

With my thoughts organized, I greeted the lead actors of Season 2.

Changing into a strange school uniform and getting styled, a familiar face soon arrived.

“Hi, Yeon-jae.”

“Noona, you’re here?”

“How do you get more handsome every time I see you? You’re getting dazzling.”

Han Se-young, looking more mature than anyone, threw playful words.

If it had been before, I wouldn’t have known how to respond, but it wasn’t difficult now.

I knew what she wanted to hear.

“Noona is prettier. No matter how hard I try, I can’t match you.”

“Jeez. You’re no fun. You used to be shy.”

Though she grumbled, her face was full of smiles.

“By the way, what did you do this time? The pay for your cameo is so high! I was shocked.”

I smiled and answered Han Se-young’s question.

“We have a capable team leader.”

“Oh, right. I think I’ve heard of him. Someone famous at Wuyeon. Well, thanks to him, I get a lot of money too. Thank him for me.”

“Sure. I will.”

“Then I’ll go change.”

Having filmed several times with Han Se-young, I felt more comfortable today.

Dressed in the same school uniform, Han Se-young looked great.

I had a slight wave in my hair, and Han Se-young had extensions.

With different hairstyles from Season 1, we both looked more mature.

“We’ll start filming soon! Yeon-jae and Se-young, we’ll first focus on you two, and then we’ll cut at the café front. Everyone, check your positions again!”

The filming location was a park full of green trees.

We would sit on a bench, have a brief cheesy conversation as Jung Han-na, and then enter the café right in front.

The café was where the male lead of Season

2 worked part-time.

We would enter the café, and the scene would naturally shift to the male lead.

“Wow, the weather is really nice today.”

“Indeed.”

The blue sky that lifted our spirits hung above us.

Unlike the noisy staff moving the filming equipment, we quietly looked up at the sky.

Enjoying the scenery, Han Se-young tilted her head to the side.

“But something feels strange?”

“Hmm?”

“Why do you look so relaxed? Aren’t you nervous?”

Should I be nervous?

Seeing my puzzled expression, Han Se-young frowned slightly.

“Isn’t this your first time filming a skinship scene?”

“Yeah.”

“And that’s all the reaction you have?”

Han Se-young muttered, saying her pride was hurt.

When I stayed silent, she looked around and whispered softly.

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

“No, I’ve never dated anyone.”

“Then have you experienced skinship?”

Shaking my head, I answered lightly.

“I guess I’ll do it with you now.”

“……You really need to be careful.”

“Hmm?”

“Wow… You just come straight at it. If it were anyone else, it’d be easy to misunderstand. You need to be careful.”

What was she talking about?

Not understanding, I watched Han Se-young chuckle softly.

“Never mind. Geez, you’re… gifted. Anyway, it’s amazing that you’re not nervous. When I filmed my first kiss scene, I brushed my teeth all day and ate mints.”

“…? But we’re just lightly kissing on the cheek.”

Wouldn’t bringing your face close to someone’s cheek make it smell?

I had never done it, so I didn’t know.

Han Se-young waved her hand, telling me not to mind.

“Right. Anyway, Yeon-jae, don’t purposely make any NGs. Got it?”

“Yeah. Don’t worry. I’ll do my best to finish it in one take.”

“……Okay. Do your best. Knock yourself out.”

Before I could question her muttering about how nothing ever changes, the PD’s voice signaled the start of the shoot.

“Let’s start filming. One, two―.”

I closed my eyes and thought of Kim Ho-yoon.

The first girlfriend ever. Still awkward atmosphere. Ticklish feelings. Uncontrollable smile.

“Action!”

Opening my eyes, I moved my feet for the first time in a while.