The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Chapter 165

“Ha, isn’t this really too much?”

The man’s grumbling voice filled the room.

“How much more do we have to raise the fee? How much more do we have to offer before they accept?”

“What can we do? If you ask who the hottest celebrity is right now, everyone would say Lee Yeon-jae.”

“I know that, but by now he should be accepting.”

The man, looking utterly exhausted, sighed deeply.

‘I don’t even remember when I last went home.’

He had been stuck at the advertising agency for days.

The client had been insistent on bringing in Lee Yeon-jae, no matter what it took.

‘Damn it, then just offer more money.’

A company with no money sure has a lot of greed.

‘How do you expect to hire Lee Yeon-jae with that budget?’

It seemed the man had yet to realize that companies without money often lacked a sense of shame as well.

In the advertising industry, Lee Yeon-jae’s reputation was straightforward.

‘The one and only actor to win the Best Actor Award at Cannes with his screen debut.’

He was also the first Korean and the youngest actor ever worldwide to win the Best Actor Award.

His asking price had skyrocketed to the point where it was difficult to even estimate it.

‘Well, he got that much for his first commercial… it must be even more now.’

Lee Yeon-jae’s first and last commercial was for ‘Look’ sneakers.

When rumors spread about the fee he received, the industry was buzzing for a while.

‘Even for a rising star, isn’t that too much?’

Despite their grumbling, they quickly accepted it, given how Team Leader Woo Hyun-woo cherished Lee Yeon-jae.

“So, how much should we offer?”

The man had contacted Wuyeon Entertainment multiple times, but hadn’t even reached Team Leader Woo before being turned down.

The man imagined grabbing the client’s head and shouting, “If you want Lee Yeon-jae that much, just spend the money!!”

Suddenly, another employee swore.

“Damn it. It’s over.”

“What?”

“The game’s over. Choi Eun-seok already got Lee Yeon-jae.”

“What?? He’s doing it with them again?”

The employee, looking dejected, held up his phone.

The man rushed over and read the message on the phone screen.

[Breaking news. Team Leader Choi Eun-seok has taken on Myung-woo Corporation’s ad. Myung-woo specifically requested Lee Yeon-jae. They’re already in a meeting with him.]

After a moment, the man slumped into a chair and muttered.

“What do I tell the client?”

The employee next to him replied bitterly.

“Just say that Myung-woo Corporation took him. If they have any conscience, they’ll understand that they can’t compete with Myung-woo.”

“Sigh, well. Maybe it’s for the best.”

“At least there’s one good news. We can go home now.”

Seeing the employee trying to smile despite his disheartened expression, the man let out a dry laugh.

“Yeah, since it’s all over, let’s just go home.”

“But I really envy Lee Yeon-jae. After getting that much for his first commercial, how much will he get for the second one?”

“Exactly. We might be surprised, but he probably thinks it’s normal.”

“Right. He’s probably used to it by now. Ah, so envious.”

As they trudged out of the company, heading to grab a drink, they had no idea that Lee Yeon-jae, having heard his fee, was so shocked he couldn’t sleep.

* * *

Today was the day for the preliminary meeting before signing the contract for the second commercial.

As I entered the meeting place, I saw a familiar face I hadn’t seen in a while.

“Hello, Team Leader Choi.”

“Hello, actor. It’s been a while.”

His respectful face softened into a smile.

“Although I sent you a message, congratulations again on winning the Best Actor Award.”

“Thank you.”

I wondered how long it would take before people stopped talking about that award.

I bowed deeply, thinking such thoughts.

“Although the contract isn’t finalized yet, I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to work on your commercial again. Thank you for giving me this chance.”

“Not at all. Please have a seat.”

The person in front of me was Team Leader Choi Eun-seok, the AE (Account Executive) of an advertising agency.

We first met through the ‘Look’ sneaker commercial, and now we were meeting again for a new bed commercial launched by ‘Myung-woo Corporation.’

Already working together twice.

“I heard you like lemon tea, so I’ve already ordered it. If there’s anything else you need, please feel free to let me know. Anything is possible.”

“…Thank you.”

Team Leader Choi was much more courteous and polite than when we last met.

‘Back then, he felt more casual.’

I knew it couldn’t be helped, but it felt a bit odd and bittersweet.

However, it seemed that people who had worked in the entertainment industry for a long time were different.

Team Leader Choi’s eyes, which had been quickly scanning me, suddenly softened.

“Actor. Actually… it doesn’t matter if we don’t sign the contract today. I’ve already achieved my goal.”

“Yes?”

Smiling as if sharing a secret, Team Leader Choi whispered.

“This might sound silly, but I’m satisfied just seeing your face today. I’ve watched ‘Twins’ five times.”

“…Five times?”

“Yes. I’m going to watch it again tonight.”

Seeing my surprised expression, Team Leader Choi laughed.

“When I get hooked on something, I just keep watching it. ‘Twins’ gives me different feelings each time. The lingering emotion when the ending credits roll is amazing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told my girlfriend to watch it.”

Team Leader Choi continued talking about ‘Twins’ and his personal life for quite a while.

His words weren’t empty flattery to praise me; they were genuine, achieving the intended ‘goal.’

‘Impressive, truly impressive.’

It was amazing how he quickly noticed my discomfort and found a way to ease it so effectively.

Suppressing a laugh, I nodded to indicate I was now okay.

Noticing this, Team Leader Choi stopped his chatter immediately.

‘To work in the entertainment industry, you must need that level of skill.’

By the time all the prepared teacups were out and it was time to start discussing business, the strange discomfort had completely disappeared.

“I’ll explain the advertisement first. This is the confirmed plan from Myung-woo Corporation. Please open to the second page.”

His ability to switch seamlessly between business and friendliness was impressive.

It was funny how he now acted formally, as if he hadn’t been familiar moments ago.

‘He’s a decent person.’

I personally liked that type of person.

So, I started the meeting in a much more relaxed mood.

And ten minutes later, my face had completely hardened.

“Actor. Is there something you’re uncomfortable with?”

“….”

After hesitating, I spoke.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to do this.”

“What?”

Team Leader Choi’s face turned pale instantly.

“Why, why… is it the terms that are unsatisfactory?”

“No. You can discuss the terms with the company. I’m not interested.”

I’m sure Team Leader Woo and CEO Jang have handled it well.

There’s no need for me to worry about people who are good at their jobs.

In fact, the amount offered by Myung-woo Corporation was unimaginable to me.

‘But that’s that, and this is this.’

I already got permission from Team Leader Woo.

With numerous proposals from renowned brands like Myung-woo Corporation, if the plan didn’t appeal to me, I could reject it.

Looking at the stiffened Team Leader Choi, I spoke calmly.

“The product being advertised is a bed, right? The story involves me, dressed in old clothes, sleeping on the street, receiving help from someone, changing clothes, eating delicious food, and then sleeping on that bed.”

I glanced at the plan.

On a cold and dark night, a boy wanders the streets and collapses.

The boy sits on the steps of a house.

The people inside the house open the door without hesitation.

The light from inside the house illuminates the boy’s face clearly.

The boy eats the food given by strangers, changes into clean clothes, and lies on the bed.

A close-up of the boy’s eyes as he lies on the bed.

His expression reads, ‘Do I deserve this luck?’

Immediately followed by a black screen.

The copy appears in white font.

‘End your day with luck. From Myeong-u.’

It was a clichéd ad. In other words, it was classic.

But I wasn’t rejecting it because the plan wasn’t innovative.

It was just an ad that didn’t make sense.

“Myung-woo Corporation is famous for its philanthropy. I know them well because the orphanage where I grew up, Morin, also received their support.”

The first opportunity I had to appear as an extra in the drama ‘Tail: Tracing the Tracks’ was thanks to a visit from a Myung-woo Corporation executive.

In a way, I became an entertainer thanks to Myung-woo Corporation’s help, so incorporating that backstory into the advertisement could work well.

“I understand the intention behind the plan. It’s indirectly telling the story of a boy who lived a new life through support after growing up in an orphanage. The bed seems secondary, and it’s mainly about Myung-woo Corporation’s branding… right?”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

His eyes moved nervously, worried I might be offended.

But I wasn’t offended at all. It was true, after all.

I wasn’t ashamed of growing up in an orphanage. But…

“Team Leader. The important thing is not me but the advertisement.”

“Yes?”

”

Will people who watch this ad be able to relate to it? Anyway, I’m currently doing quite well.”

Regardless of growing up in an orphanage, the current ‘Lee Yeon-jae’ was one of the most successful actors.

That title might not mean much to me, but it was different for others.

“No matter how hard my past was, right now, I’m someone who lives in an expensive house and wears expensive clothes. If I appear in such a commercial, I don’t think it will seem sincere. Some might even find it uncomfortable.”

Some might even feel miserable comparing it to their own reality.

Even Byeon might feel that way.

My mind cleared instantly.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to do this with this plan. I think it would be better to find someone else.”

So, I spoke firmly.

I felt a bit sorry inside. An actor who knew nothing about advertising was arrogantly making comments.

Moreover, criticizing the plan in front of the person who planned it must have made him feel awful.

Thinking that, I looked up…

“…”

Why was he making that face?

* * *

Team Leader Choi was trembling with excitement, trying hard to contain it.

‘Damn, what a talent.’

If only I had someone like this under me.

‘It’s such a waste.’

I was confident I could promote him to deputy manager within three years. Why did he have to be an actor?

Overwhelmed with joy, Team Leader Choi didn’t realize that what mattered was not that Lee Yeon-jae was an actor, but that he was only fifteen.

“Everything you said is correct.”

Team Leader Choi nodded obediently.

His original plan was different, but it turned into this mess due to the client’s requests.

He thought it would be okay if he added a heartwarming OST to avoid harsh criticism, but…

‘To receive such feedback from an actor.’

He was truly talented. It was driving him crazy wanting to bring him into his team.

Suppressing his greed, he asked the important question first.

“Do you have any ideas for the commercial, actor?”

He tried not to expect too much, but his excited voice betrayed his anticipation.

Despite the burdensome question, Lee Yeon-jae just smiled.

“Does the bed have to be indoors?”

“…?”