Top Star by Luck

Chapter 92

‘Amazing.’

The posing (model’s poses) changed.

Every second, Lee Min Ki’s posing changed like a machine.

As if flipping through the pages of a fashion magazine in front of their eyes, each diverse pose kept changing while perfectly maintaining a high level of completion.

No, this is something anyone could do up to this point.

Any model who’s done some photo shoots could do this.

But right at this moment.

Lee Min Ki took it one step further.

‘That’s…’

It was the clothes.

With each pose, Lee Min Ki was changing clothes one by one.

And not just any clothes—imaginary, invisible clothes.

‘That’s a coat with a fedora, and now… workwear (American worker style)? Wait, did he just switch to a rider jacket? He’s even mimicking long hair.’

Using an invisible comb to slick his hair back to evoke that feeling.

So creative, it was unbelievable.

CEO Yoo Gyu Eon’s expression was filled with astonishment.

‘Is he changing clothes with mime?’

It was astonishing.

But even here, it was still a delicate point.

It was like clocking 10.1 seconds in the 100-meter dash but not breaking the 10-second barrier.

Even though someone could manage this, free acting is just called free acting—it’s merely a series of rehearsed movements.

Constantly changing clothes might be an impressive skill.

But these judges weren’t here to see skills; they came to see acting.

‘Min Ki, you’re doing well enough already, but you’ll need to do even better.’

Between 9.9 seconds and 10.1 seconds, there was a vast, unbridgeable gap.

The difference between the two was as stark as between 0 and 1.

And.

Lee Min Ki himself was fully aware of this.

That’s why he could surprise CEO Yoo Gyu Eon even more.

‘The attitude is perfect.’

It was the completion of the attitude (the posture and demeanor that accompanies each style).

“The way people wear clothes is different for everyone.”

If it’s a coat, wear it with dignity.

“Sometimes, we want to look cool.”

If it’s a suit, wear it neatly.

“In presentations, we want to appear smart.”

If it’s American casual, wear it comfortably.

“Sometimes, we dream of walking around the streets of Hongdae in a hip way.”

If it’s Ivy League style, wear it energetically.

“And when going out with a lover, you should feel light, as if flying.”

If it’s sportswear, wear it healthily.

“When you sweat, it gets hot. You crave cool clothes.”

With every move of Lee Min Ki’s body, the lines flowed smoothly.

As if introducing products to viewers on a TV shopping channel.

“It was a tough day today. I’d like to take a deep rest.”

If it’s pajamas, wear them cozily.

“It’s not something I wear often, but I tried it on.”

If it’s a dress, wear it purely.

In Lee Min Ki’s posing, you could not only glimpse the clothes but also the unique emotional sensibility of each style.

Even with just a plain white t-shirt, you could continuously see it.

The clothes were visible.

The transparent clothes imprinted vividly into the retina with such sharpness.

‘Perfect.’

CEO Yoo Gyu Eon’s expression was once again filled with admiration.

‘I knew Min Ki was a top-tier actor, but I didn’t expect him to go this far.’

Could the completion level be any higher than this?

That’s why it was regrettable.

It was nothing but a pity.

CEO Yoo Gyu Eon clenched his teeth in frustration.

‘Min Ki, there won’t be many people who can recognize this!’

Only as a shopping mall CEO could he fully grasp the value of this fashion.

It was possible because of his keen insight.

How could the other two judges even recognize this?

‘The general public’s eye for fashion is far lower than you think, Min Ki!’

A silent cry, one that had no chance of being heard by the parties involved, spread sorrowfully.

Indeed.

The posing was too high-level.

Not only would you need to understand fashion, but you’d also need to grasp the attitude of the clothes to truly appreciate the acting.

What a demanding performance it was.

Only someone like CEO Yoo Gyu Eon could analyze each aspect in detail.

Even asking whether an average fashion enthusiast could comprehend the depth of it.

‘There’s no way they could recognize even 50% of it.’

It was impossible.

That’s why CEO Yoo Gyu Eon was at his wit’s end.

‘Among all the contestants so far, he’s the best in terms of being a fashion model, but I’m not sure how his acting fares.’

Not knowing much about acting made him even more troubled.

How should he explain to Director Hwang Ui Seong that what Lee Min Ki was showing was on a completely different level from the other contestants?

As he was about to lose his mind.

“That’s enough. We don’t need to see any more.”

Director Hwang Ui Seong stopped Lee Min Ki before his acting was even finished and said.

“You said you were a fashion model, correct?”

“Ah.”

At those words, Lee Min Ki slowly turned his head, as if moving like a turtle, toward CEO Yoo Gyu Eon.

Then, forcing himself to turn back, he answered.

“Yes, I’ve been consistently doing it since before my debut.”

At that moment.

“Your posing is perfect.”

An unexpected comment flowed from Director Hwang Ui Seong’s mouth.

“……!”

CEO Yoo Gyu Eon’s eyes widened, but Director Hwang Ui Seong continued to speak nonchalantly.

“It’s not just about changing clothes. I got the impression you were acting out the character wearing the clothes. Let me guess the character you were portraying.”

A brief moment passed.

Director Hwang Ui Seong blinked as he fixed his gaze on Lee Min Ki and spoke.

“You’re a mannequin, aren’t you?”

“……!”

Had he analyzed the character from just those short movements?

While CEO Yoo Gyu Eon was still in awe, Lee Min Ki slowly nodded and said.

“Yes, you’re correct, Director.”

At that, Director Hwang Ui Seong spoke as if he had expected it.

“A fashion model is a clothes hanger. To showcase the clothes as the protagonist, you must thoroughly hide yourself and show off the clothes. A fashion model who overshadows the clothes in their desire to stand out is worthless.”

It was practically the truth.

No matter how famous a fashion model was, when they walked the runway, they didn’t consider themselves the main attraction.

They were merely a medium to showcase the clothes in the best way possible.

In other words, they were stepping back to play a supporting role.

The free acting that Lee Min Ki had shown was precisely that.

Acting that made the clothes the protagonist.

Not just a simple fashion show, but acting as the model who presents the fashion.

A character far removed from the typical movie characters.

“Well done.”

With that, Director Hwang Ui Seong clapped softly and said.

“The designated acting… it seems we don’t need to see it.”

And that was the end.

And.

Even this was within Lee Min Ki’s calculations.

‘I knew you’d recognize it.’

He had seen it in an interview.

How much preparation Director Hwang Ui Seong had put into planning his film, *Fashion and Fashion*.

‘He not only visited all the major fashion shows abroad but also secretly worked as an intern at a fashion company for several months.’

That’s not all.

He even entered a clothing factory in Daegu and made clothes himself.

Heard he attended classes as an external student in the fashion department and anonymously submitted works at fairs.

He always had a particular interest in clothes.

In total, he spent over a year studying just to create the film *Fashion and Fashion*.

He didn’t just pick fashion as a theme.

Because it had to be fashion, he chose it.

Director Hwang Ui Seong was a man obsessed with detail.

‘He’s not someone who would shoot anything carelessly.’

That’s why Lee Min Ki knew he would recognize it.

CEO Yoo Gyu Eon?

He hadn’t even heard of him participating in this audition.

That’s right.

From the beginning, Lee Min Ki had never calculated that CEO Yoo Gyu Eon would notice his free acting.

It was thoroughly a performance aimed at just one person.

‘Director Hwang Ui Seong, this performance was prepared for you.’

Just as Director Hwang Ui Seong was sincere about fashion, Lee Min Ki hoped he would recognize his sincerity as well.

He had boldly sacrificed showcasing his acting ability in favor of impressing with his designated performance.

Just like in the *Cafe del Dia* audition, it had been a gamble.

But the result of that gamble was.

“Then, I’ll contact you again tomorrow. You may want to keep your schedule clear.”

There was no need to see any more.

Of course, it wasn’t a flawless performance.

Lee Min Ki had some innate shortcomings for being the protagonist of this project.

Like being shorter than a typical model.

But oh well.

‘A lot of directing power will be necessary.’

That’s something directors deal with every day.

Making a 165 cm actor appear to be 180 cm was an everyday occurrence.

If it’s someone like Lee Min Ki, they could make him look like a basketball player.

“The exit is to the right.”

With Director Hwang Ui Seong’s dry voice, the short audition came to an end.

* * *

The next day.

It was no surprise when Lee Min Ki received the notification that he had passed the audition.

They hadn’t even seen his designated performance.

This was no different from declaring that his free acting alone was more than enough, and unless someone extraordinary appeared, they would pick him.

‘What

an honor.’

Thanks to that, a smile stretched across Lee Min Ki’s face.

“Congratulations, actor.”

Manager Park Han Mo, who was at the wheel, chuckled and said.

“You seem very happy. Have you always liked Director Hwang Ui Seong?”

“Yes, it’s Director Hwang Ui Seong. Not just anyone, but Director Hwang Ui Seong.”

Lee Min Ki answered in a triumphant voice.

Who is Director Hwang Ui Seong?

He may currently be considered a director who makes artistic films in Korea.

But in just a few years, he would stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s most renowned directors.

When that time came, his value would rise so high that Hollywood would beg him for just one film.

They’d bundle up money and bring it to him, pleading.

Who would believe such a thing?

“…….”

Come to think of it, no one would believe it.

If you said Hollywood begged a Korean director for a movie, people would laugh.

Even if a Korean director won an Academy Award, they still wouldn’t believe it.

Moreover, if you said Korean dramas would soon become the world’s number one entertainment, no one would believe that either.

People would think you’re speaking nonsense and ignore you.

Wait, there’s more.

‘If I told them a group would start topping the Billboard charts like it’s nothing… they probably wouldn’t believe that either.’

This is the future.

It’s hard to see what’s right in front of you.

“…….”

Still, just in case, Lee Min Ki asked Manager Park Han Mo.

“Excuse me, Manager. Could I ask your opinion on something?”

“You don’t need to be so formal. Please feel free to speak comfortably.”

“Oh, it’s just… do you think Director Hwang Ui Seong could make it in Hollywood?”

“Hmm, that’s an interesting question.”

Manager Park Han Mo trailed off, as if deep in thought.

For a moment, he seemed lost, then soon found an answer and spoke.

“It would probably be difficult.”

Ah.

Just one word drained all his energy.

He had asked out of hope, knowing that Manager Park Han Mo had an extraordinary eye for films.

‘Is it still too early for the times?’

Just as Lee Min Ki was feeling a bit disappointed.

“Movies aren’t something one director can excel at with a one-man show.”

Manager Park Han Mo continued in a calm voice.

“What?”

“Director Hwang Ui Seong’s personal ability aside, for his films to succeed in Hollywood, everything from the actors to the CG, marketing, and locations would need to advance together. It wouldn’t be easy.”

Manager Park Han Mo’s words were measured and thoughtful.

He didn’t just pull the answer out of nowhere.

It felt like he had refined this philosophy over time, quietly revealing a glimpse of it now.

“But if all those elements align perfectly, I think today’s Korean films have enough potential to make it in Hollywood. That’s what I believe.”

“…….”

A far more serious answer than expected.

It gave insight into how Manager Park Han Mo viewed the industry.

Genius alone wasn’t enough.

But if they worked together, anything was possible.

It was a realistic yet subtly idealistic response.

‘Collaboration, huh.’

Isn’t there a famous line from a movie?

[Together, we stand.]

It was a phrase that stirred something warm in Lee Min Ki’s heart, making him smile slightly.

Just as he was about to say something in response to this unexpectedly thoughtful opinion.

“Manager, come to think of it.”

“Oh, by the way, I think you could make it in Hollywood right now. Assuming your English is good, that is.”

So quick.

A comment that made his face twitch with amusement came out of nowhere.

It was a statement that was difficult to either completely agree with or refute.

‘If my English is good, huh.’

It’s not like he couldn’t speak English at all.

In fact, in some ways, he had plenty of confidence, but language wasn’t something that translated well to other areas.

It’s the same with Japanese.

Someone who’s trained their ears to anime might be fluent in listening, but they might not even be able to read a menu or ask someone to open a window.

‘Acting in English would be something entirely different. If I were to break into the English-speaking market, I’d need to study a lot.’

While Lee Min Ki was deep in thought, Manager Park Han Mo continued speaking calmly.

“Don’t overthink it. These days, overseas opportunities are common. It wouldn’t hurt for you to try filming your next project abroad. That being said, you should prepare in advance.”

“……I’ll think about it.”

“I’m serious.”

“Yes, I’m serious too.”

Lee Min Ki chuckled.

‘Well, it’s not like I have time to waste.’

It was certain that Korea would become a major player in the future media industry.

To secure his spot in that future, he couldn’t afford to rest easy just because he was a successful rookie actor now.

He had to work even harder.

Just like Manager Park Han Mo said, he needed to become an actor who could make it in Hollywood.

‘Alright, time to live my life to the fullest.’

As he solidified his resolve.

“Actor, this is just a personal suggestion.”

Manager Park Han Mo spoke up.

“Have you thought about breaking into the international market?”

“Yes?”

“For example, right now.”