The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Chapter 159

[Title: Did anyone just see what Director Yoon Kang-yeon posted??]

What on earth did I just see???

Wow. As soon as I read it, I cursed out loud.

He really asked something like that as a test upon first meeting????

What good is an apology now? Our Bambi must be so hurt, this is insane.

—Seriously, read the whole thing. What good is an apology now?? I’m so pissed off.

—I’m so angry I can’t stand it. I thought he was one of the decent directors from watching his interviews. I can’t believe he’s such an inconsiderate person.

└Same… I want to boycott his movies, but… Yeon-jae already forgave him, so what can I do? Just… thinking about how Yeon-jae must have felt hearing that question makes me depressed all day.

[Title: Did you guys see the post the Twins director uploaded?]

He asked Lee Yeon-jae questions like “Were you happy in the orphanage?” and “How did you feel when your parents abandoned you?” as a test during their first meeting… Is he crazy??

The Lee Yeon-jae fan cafe is in an uproar… If I knew my favorite celebrity was treated like that, I’d be mentally shattered.

—That’s extreme. Lee Yeon-jae was 14 during the filming of “Twins.” Nowadays, kids grow up fast, but 14 is still just a kid. Just starting middle school… Asking such a question to a kid who’s already had a tough life is just wrong. He just looks like an artsy pretentious jerk to me.

—I’m not a fan of Lee Yeon-jae, so I might be able to say this, but… I’m still glad he apologized, even if it was late. Of course, I’m not defending that stupid remark! But he already apologized to the person involved, and it’s kind of a finished issue, so why bring it up publicly again?

└Right. I thought it was intentionally posted to promote “Twins.” He was already getting attention for winning Best Actor, and it felt like adding fuel to the fire.

└Well, only Yoon Kang-yeon knows his true intentions… but from reading the full post, it seems he genuinely regrets it. He didn’t just apologize to Yeon-jae but to all the actors he tested in the same way, saying he wouldn’t hide behind art to justify rudeness anymore. That last sentence was impressive.

—I just hope our Bambi won’t work with rude directors anymore… ㅠㅠ I want my baby to be with kind people only…

└The fact is, thanks to that rude director, he won the youngest Best Actor title in the world.

└ㅠㅠㅠㅠ What a dirty world.

“Are you okay?”

I asked as soon as I met Director Yoon.

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

“…You don’t look okay at all.”

The floor of his studio was littered with chocolate wrappers.

Director Yoon tore open another chocolate and shoved it into his mouth.

“I posted it knowing what would come.”

His face looked calm as he said that.

But his trembling hands told a different story.

‘Why did he make such a choice?’

I didn’t understand. It wasn’t a choice that would be good for his image.

I didn’t know his true personality. He had shown me various sides of himself so far.

Naïveté, seriousness, solemnity, anger, and so on.

But in public, he always maintained the image of a ‘philosophical and sophisticated film director.’

Such a person posted that.

‘Why?’

No matter how remorseful he was, the content would inevitably cause a stir.

There was significant social criticism directed at Director Yoon.

Even someone like me, who didn’t use the internet much, could feel it.

I was about to ask him why he did it, but he spoke first.

“I thought I was quite a good person.”

“Pardon?”

“I knew I did crazy things sometimes, but I didn’t think I was the worst. Until you told me.”

His gaze was fixed on the floor.

“When we first met, I asked you a lot of rude questions. I knew they were rude. But I thought it was okay. I had the purpose of testing, and I thought it would be fine as long as I apologized afterward. I’d always done it that way, and all the actors had said it was okay. If you hadn’t told me back then, I would still think it was okay.”

“…You apologized to me back then, didn’t you?”

And I accepted it. So isn’t it a finished matter?

When I looked at him curiously, Director Yoon shook his head.

“Honestly, that apology was more to smooth over the situation. It was sincere, but it wasn’t a proper apology.”

“…”

“The more I filmed with you, the more I edited the scenes with you… the more I felt sorry. I realized that the lines and scenes I always thought of as art were someone else’s reality. I should have been more careful.”

His voice was drenched in despair.

“So I posted the apology. To sincerely apologize to you and all the actors I’ve worked with. And… to never repeat the same mistake again.”

His wavering gaze slowly met mine.

“I’m sorry, Yeon-jae.”

“…”

“I’m sorry for hurting you with those harsh words.”

Why is he being so serious?

Feeling awkward, I scratched my neck.

“I’m okay.”

“…”

“As I said back then, I gained something from the process too. Anyway, you apologized right away, and you’ve apologized several times since then. I’m really okay, so—.”

“Yeon-jae.”

His firm voice cut off my words.

“Stop saying you’re okay.”

“Pardon?”

“The words I said back then were bound to hurt you. A few apologies won’t erase the pain you felt.”

Director Yoon stood up abruptly from the sofa.

Ignoring the chocolates falling all over, he approached me.

“It’s okay not to be okay.”

“…”

“You don’t have to finish everything in a state of being okay. The pain you felt can’t just be dismissed because of an apology. Saying you’re okay doesn’t really make you okay.”

But I’m genuinely okay.

I was about to make a joke, asking if he wanted to brainwash me into not being okay.

But strangely, seeing his serious eyes, the words got stuck in my throat.

As I just moved my lips without sound, Director Yoon apologized once more. Saying he was sorry.

“…”

I couldn’t say I was okay.

I stood there in silence for a long time.

Director Yoon looked at me quietly like a condemned man waiting for execution.

“Alright. I won’t say I’m okay. But thank you for apologizing.”

“…I’m really worried. Why are you thankful for something that should be obvious? If you keep being like this, people will take advantage of you.”

I didn’t want to be seen as a pushover either.

But it’s just common courtesy between people, isn’t it?

Expressing gratitude to someone who genuinely cares for me.

If that seems ‘like a pushover,’ then I have nothing to say. I’d rather be a pushover then.

“I don’t do things that put me at a loss, so don’t worry.”

“Sure. You’ll do well. But still…”

Director Yoon hesitated.

“If you ever feel uncomfortable seeing my face, let me know. I’ll stay out of your way.”

“Where are you going with this, Director? Don’t exaggerate.”

“Don’t take it lightly. Don’t just accept everyone who approaches you. There are so many bad people in this world. Cut off those you need to cut off! …Of course, I’m not one to talk.”

“Enough. I’m not uncomfortable seeing your face, so let’s drop it.”

Above all, you shouldn’t be the one saying that.

If you leave, I’d have to find another director.

“So, what about the thing I asked you to look into?”

When I naturally changed the subject, Director Yoon immediately replied.

“Oh, that. I’ve made a rough list. But why do you need it?”

I shrugged at his puzzled expression.

“Why would I need a list of newspapers? I have something to report.”

“What are you going to report?”

Seeing his bewildered expression, I answered calmly.

“Photos of actor Seol Seung-jun using drugs.”

“…Huh?”

“I have photos of Seol Seung-jun and his gang using drugs. I also have photos of him driving under the influence.”

“Why do you have that, and if so, why not report it to the police? Why tip it to the press?”

Because Seol Seung-jun has Sung-hee Group’s youngest daughter, Park Ye-hee, behind him.

If I reported it recklessly, Sung-hee Group might cover it up, and the matter would end futilely.

When I explained, Director Yoon’s face became even more bewildered.

“So that’s why you asked for a list? Of newspapers as big as Sung-hee Group?”

“Yes. You could get in trouble if you get traced back, so pick the best one and hand it over. Make sure it’s a place that protects its sources. You know, right?”

“Good grief… I got it, I got it.”

Director Yoon shook his head in disbelief.

I heard him mutter, “What am I dealing with?” but I ignored it.

It wasn’t like I was naturally bold to undertake this.

I was anxious about making a mistake too. That’s why I was preparing thoroughly.

‘This should wrap things up nicely.’

Director Yoon was a great help.

Whether to protect his image or for another reason,

he was someone who had all the journalists’ contacts.

I had been watching Director Yoon’s daily life through Mist, and I confirmed he didn’t mention me when Seol Seung-jun was brought up.

I also confirmed he could keep secrets, so there was no need to delay any longer.

‘I hope he ends up in jail soon.’

I knew better than anyone how vile Seol Seung-jun was.

It wasn’t fair for someone who tormented so many to live luxuriously in a mansion.

Thinking this, I was picking up chocolate wrappers when Director Yoon raised his voice again.

“But why didn’t you report it then? Why now?”

“…?”

I answered curiously, wondering why he was asking something so obvious.

“Back then, Lee Jin-woo hyung’s drama hadn’t aired yet. What if it caused a scandal?”

“…”

Just last week, the drama “Dogs’ Leash” ended.

Now Seol Seung-jun could face justice.

It was a clear answer, but Director Yoon just looked back at me in bafflement.

“You really… I don’t get you.”

“Pardon?”

“Never mind… I want more chocolate. Buy me a brownie.”

“Buy it yourself. I waited an hour last time.”

“That’s too harsh…”

Looking at Director Yoon, who had reverted from a solemn adult back to a whining child, I thought.

‘Amazing, truly amazing.’

I keep thinking this these days.

People’s personalities are indeed diverse.

* * *

After exchanging a few more words with Director Yoon, I returned to the company.

When I asked when he would tell me how to manage my image, he just replied that he needed time to prepare.

Well, I was short on time too.

I had to choose my next project.

“Choose from these. Take them home if you need to, look them over carefully and let me know…”

As soon as I arrived, Team Leader Woo handed me a few scripts, looking like he was about to collapse.

“Are you okay?”

“No, I’m dying… but what can I do? Raising the world’s youngest Best Actor means I have to endure this.”

Team Leader Woo, with dark circles down to his mouth, smiled contentedly.

It was the 250th time I heard the phrase “world’s youngest whatever.” He must really love it.

After giving a wry smile, I quietly returned home.

And I chose my next project. In 20 minutes.

—You already chose?

Team Leader Woo’s voice over the phone sounded bewildered.

“Yes. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to go with that one.”

—Well, of course, it’s okay. The conditions for that one are the best. But it’s surprising. I didn’t think it was your taste.

He saw right through me. It wasn’t my preferred script.

But it didn’t matter. Because of the actor I’d be working with.

—Then I’ll let Jung-hyun know too. He’ll be happy.

“Yes. I’ll let him know right now.”

Yes.

My next project would be with Lee Jung-hyun hyung.