Top Star by Luck

Chapter 87

“A work related to fashion.”

Lee Min Ki emphasized once again.

“I’m still working as a fashion model, aren’t I?”

“Yes, you’ve been working consistently with CEO Gyu Eon.”

It was true.

Under CEO Yoo Gyu Eon, Lee Min Ki was still working as a model.

Although the number of gigs had decreased compared to before.

This was due to his body growing too large after working on several projects.

‘He said the business was doing well recently, so there shouldn’t be any issues with paying me.’

Anyway, he had been quite busy.

Even so, he continued to work with CEO Yoo Gyu Eon.

“As I kept going, I realized that I really have a certain depth in this area. Something that’s engaging even from the public’s perspective.”

He had learned a lot.

How to present himself in front of the camera in a more impressive way.

How to subtly adjust small nuances with just a movement of his fingers.

“And clothing is one of the longest-standing businesses in human history, isn’t it? Even if they’re not interested in other things, very few people have no interest in fashion.”

“It’s a topic that comes up quite often.”

“Yes, so I got interested in shooting a project in this area. It’s this one.”

Lee Min Ki pulled out his phone and showed a casting notice for a movie.

The title of a project was written there.

[Fashion & Fashion]

Just as it sounded, it was a project with fashion as its theme.

‘It’s a story about a protagonist who becomes a fashion star by chance.’

A protagonist who has an innate talent as a fashion model.

That protagonist enters the industry, experiences the allure of money, and gradually falls into corruption.

The film depicted the process of success and moral decline in such a raw way that it became quite a hot topic.

Lee Min Ki had enjoyed watching it as well.

However, this new project had a distinguishing feature.

It balanced both commercial viability and artistic value.

‘It didn’t do that well domestically, but it became popular overseas and later joined the ranks of successful films, didn’t it?’

It was good.

It was different, which made it appealing.

Having shot three consecutive commercial films, he felt it was time to take on something more artistic.

And also—

Something had come to mind when he heard Yoo Seon Ah’s words.

‘This is a project where I can highlight my strengths.’

Was it that he had good lines?

If so, he should take this opportunity to fully showcase them.

Of course, he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to pull off the role of a model protagonist in a fashion film.

But on the flip side, not all fashion models were known for their acting skills either, were they?

Lee Min Ki thought he had something to lean on.

“The director is… Director Hwang Ui Seong.”

Director Seo Jung Woo, who was reviewing the document, spoke with surprise.

“I’m a fan of Director Hwang Ui Seong myself, and I’ve followed all of his works, but he’s not really known for pursuing commercial projects.”

It wasn’t a wrong statement.

Lee Min Ki nodded in agreement.

“Yes, it seems like he focuses a lot on the artistic side.”

“Focuses” wasn’t quite enough.

He was entirely fixated on it.

His work was so polarizing that some viewers considered him the worst director out there.

“In fact, it’s hard to recommend Director Hwang Ui Seong to a rookie actor.”

Director Seo Jung Woo spoke slowly.

“The theme may be appealing, but with this project, you may have to completely give up on box office success.”

“I’m prepared for that.”

The film hadn’t exactly flopped.

Despite its focus on artistry, it had made well over its budget.

Of course, that was due to its small budget.

It didn’t achieve the kind of success seen with major commercial films.

Nonetheless, there was a reason Lee Min Ki wanted to appear in Director Hwang Ui Seong’s film.

The reason was simple.

“It’s been a dream of mine to shoot a film under his direction.”

In a way, he was a legend.

A genius.

He was regarded as one of the top directors in the industry for his genius.

No, not just top—he was among the top three.

[Among the three giants, isn’t Hwang Ui Seong the best?]

[He’s a perfectionist who shoots the same scene repeatedly until it’s perfect, lol.]

[The fact that he does endless reshoots is proof he’s not a genius.]

[Real geniuses shoot a scene perfectly in one take because they’ve already visualized it in their mind.]

[People have different methods. A perfectionist relying on instinct would be more of a problem, wouldn’t it?]

Of course, opinions varied from person to person.

In any case, to Lee Min Ki, Director Hwang Ui Seong was like a rigorous trainer.

He was already recognized for his talent, but his future was expected to be even more brilliant.

Five years down the road, he would win an Academy Award, which said it all.

His films had left a shocking impact overseas.

‘Even if it doesn’t achieve commercial success, this is an opportunity for me to grow as an actor.’

Having built up some experience, Lee Min Ki felt it was time to ripen.

It was maturation.

And he believed Director Hwang Ui Seong could provide the growth he sought.

Also, given the director’s recognition in international film festivals, it might open doors for him abroad as well.

“Yes, if you can endure it, I don’t think Director Hwang Ui Seong’s work is a bad choice.”

Unexpectedly, Director Seo Jung Woo nodded readily.

Lee Min Ki thought he might object, but his response was refreshingly positive.

It was surprising, and Director Seo Jung Woo added with a gentle smile.

“But it’ll be difficult to get the role.”

“……Ah.”

“Director Hwang Ui Seong’s stubbornness is famous.”

Of course.

Hwang Ui Seong was indeed notorious in that regard.

He was extremely particular about casting actors.

While all directors are selective, Director Hwang Ui Seong didn’t even consider an actor’s fame.

Because of that—

‘It’s a dream role.’

That aspect was even more appealing to Lee Min Ki.

‘This is an opportunity to have my acting truly evaluated.’

It was said that good directors attract good actors.

Right now, was Lee Min Ki a good enough actor to be cast in a Hwang Ui Seong film?

“I understand.”

Director Seo Jung Woo nodded and said.

“I’ll move forward with the discussion.”

“Yes, thank you.”

It felt like the conversation was coming to a close.

“Oh, by the way.”

Director Seo Jung Woo raised his head, as if he had something more to say.

“While it’s true that it’s about time for you to consider a new project, there was no need to rush into a decision so quickly.”

“Pardon?”

It was an unexpected comment.

Wasn’t Director Seo Jung Woo the one who had suggested that Lee Min Ki start looking for a new project?

With a puzzled expression, Lee Min Ki responded.

“The sooner the better, right? I feel like if I rest too long, I’ll lose my touch. Now’s the time to strike while the iron’s hot.”

“That’s usually the case, yes.”

Director Seo Jung Woo sighed lightly and said.

“But I wanted to clarify, in case you were mindful of what I mentioned last time—I only brought it up as a precaution against you resting for too long.”

“A precaution… Ah.”

“Yes, if I remind you periodically, it prevents you from completely forgetting about your main job.”

Is that what it was?

It was like bargaining for a 5,000-won item by first asking for it at 3,000 won.

“Sometimes, actors do a project and then take an extended break, so as a company, we make it a point to encourage regular work. It’s the same everywhere.”

“Hmm, I see. I was surprised because it’s the first time I’ve heard of it.”

“Yes, you’ve only just debuted. Actually, it’s like this at every company.”

No.

The company I worked at before really made us work as much as possible.

What do I mean “as much as possible”?

They’d squeeze every last drop out of you, boil the bones for soup, then grind whatever was left into powder and sell it.

They even sent me to cheap side roles just to make a few bucks, telling me to pay my own way to underpaid action set locations in the provinces.

[Hey, Lee Min Ki, don’t you know side roles are meant to be taken wherever they’re offered? You’re not doing them a favor by appearing, they’re giving you the opportunity. Geez, I went through a lot of trouble to get this spot, you should be grateful.]

In the end, I had about four seconds of screen time.

I thought that was normal.

‘Looks like a proper agency is really different.’

Lee Min Ki was reflecting on the vast gap between normal and abnormal when Director Seo Jung Woo continued.

“While the company would prefer that you work continuously, the decision to take on projects ultimately lies with you. Always remember to consider your work-life balance.”

It felt like advice that came from a place of genuine sincerity.

And indeed, it was sincere.

‘Some people have burned out from overworking in a short period and left the industry.’

For a company executive, it was only natural to push for as much work as possible, thinking about profits.

But before that, as an audience member, Seo Jung Woo hoped the actor would keep making films for a long time.

“It’s a bit early to say, but I sincerely hope you stay healthy and active for a long time—as a fan, that is.”

Health, huh.

For the first time in this life, Lee Min Ki had started to take care of his health, and he responded with a bright smile.

“Yes! You too,

Director!”

* * *

A few days later.

In a dark room.

“Uuugh.”

Lee Min Ki stretched his arms toward the ceiling and let out a long yawn.

“Phew, finally done.”

It was over.

After skipping the gym and dedicating several days solely to sorting data, he had finally finished his work.

‘This should be enough to report the suspect while minimizing harm to the victims.’

It was the classification of the [Kim Do Ha Phone], which he had obtained some time ago.

Though it was called Kim Do Ha’s phone, it wasn’t actually Kim Do Ha’s.

With two years’ worth of accumulated data, even simple sorting was no easy task.

There was also the fact that, due to the nature of the case, he had to handle everything himself.

‘If this information leaks to the wrong person, only the victims might end up being publicly shamed.’

It made him realize why the law prioritizes protecting victims over catching criminals.

But this was pretty much the end of it.

He had roughly figured out how to report it as well.

The method Lee Min Ki chose was simple.

‘I’ll leak it to every media outlet.’

He would anonymously tip off the information to every news outlet.

From the ten major domestic media companies to smaller outlets.

As well as to authorities with legal investigative powers and freelance journalists.

Even to international platforms like WikiLeaks.

He had already completed the process of submitting all the data through anonymous accounts.

The reason for making such a big fuss was clear.

‘Given how the previous case was quietly buried, it means the media was likely already colluding.’

It was because he couldn’t trust the media.

With so many actors and institutions involved, how much of it would be properly revealed—maybe a third?

No, even saying that it was properly revealed would be a stretch.

Rather than watching it go down like that, he decided to expose it as thoroughly as possible.

‘The “banchango” account will probably become pretty famous later.’

Lee Min Ki let out a bitter smile.

There might be a better way.

But the longer he delayed searching for a better method, the more victims would be exposed to the case.

Instead, he judged it was better to release the information, even if it was clumsy.

Lee Min Ki made another resolution.

‘Once this is over, I’m going back to a simple actor’s life, not getting involved in complicated matters anymore.’

He was going back.

To being an actor.

Lately, he had been so busy that he had nearly forgotten what his main job was.

At least the good news was that he had managed to decide on a project he wanted to pursue.

Not to mention, it suited him perfectly.

[They’re asking you to come to the audition. They said they’ll decide after seeing you, but the vibe was positive. The director asked me to let you know that you’ve been someone they’ve been watching lately.]

It seemed he had received a favorable evaluation from Director Hwang Ui Seong’s team as well.

Everything was settled.

This would be the last bit of stressful business, and from now on, he would only stress over work.

Just as he solidified his decision and was about to click the mouse.

Bzzz—

A sudden call came in.

[Caller ID: Unknown]

“What?”

Lee Min Ki frowned.

Recently, he had been getting strange calls frequently, so he had made a new phone for his personal life.

This phone was no different.

Since his work phone had already received a lot of strange calls, he made this one just for contacting people he knew personally.

A phone used only for those who had established themselves in the industry.

‘Who could it be?’

Curious, he answered the call.

“Actor Lee Min Ki, how have you been?”

“……!”

A voice that naturally built trust and warmth just by hearing it.

It was Kim Do Ha’s voice.

But this time, what came first was hostility.