Episode 41

It had been a week since Yeon-woo received the acceptance notice from the university.

He had received word that the casting for “Master Plan” would be completed soon. However, at the moment, he didn’t have any schedules, so he had come down to his parents’ house in Daejeon and was spending his time at home, watching TV like a lazy bum.

Yeon-woo had finished his morning exercise and sat on the empty sofa in the living room, flipping through TV channels. As he did so, a familiar face appeared, causing him to pause the channel.

It wasn’t a fellow actor or a TV staff member.

“Why is this person…?”

The person who was being interviewed on a variety show was a National Intelligence Service (NIS) employee who had joined the same year as Yeon-woo’s past life, Jeon Su-hwan.

[Today, we have a special episode called “Hidden Stars,” where we’ve invited several guests. Please introduce yourself briefly.]

[Yes, hello. I’m Han Ji-hyun, currently working as a public relations officer at the National Intelligence Service.]

Yeon-woo finally nodded as he watched. It seemed that the National Intelligence Service was working on its public image to overcome the negative reputation it had garnered through modern history.

From what Yeon-woo remembered, she had worked in a department related to cyber security and had been transferred to the public relations department.

Of course, the name she mentioned was not her real name.

The person introduced as “Han Ji-hyun” was actually Kang Ju-mi.

“She’s aged quite a bit. Well, I looked older because I was constantly in the field.”

Yeon-woo commented to himself.

She was a colleague from his time who he hadn’t seen in over a decade. Yeon-woo continued watching without changing the channel.

After a lengthy interview, the assistant MC asked a question.

[So, in real life, do agents sometimes engage in combat and return?]

The guest responded to the question.

[It’s not common, but there are cases where agents make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Recently, there have been more tragic incidents with nameless stars.]

[I see. When you mentioned “nameless stars”, what do you mean?]

[At the National Intelligence Service headquarters, when an undercover agent dies during an operation, they engrave a nameless star to honor their sacrifice.]

The guest’s words were accompanied by an image of a nameless star on the screen, the very star Yeon-woo hadn’t intentionally sought out in his past life.

Captivated by the strange and peculiar feeling, Yeon-woo gazed at the star on the screen. However, at that moment, he noticed something unusual.

“…Why are there two stars now?” Yeon-woo stroked his chin as he deep in thought.

When he had been dispatched for the first time, Ryu Yeon-woo from his past life, who had experienced modern history, suspected that he had been assassinated.

If the terrorist organization had discovered that Agent Ryu had hidden away and was still alive, they wouldn’t have used an assassination method like a sniper, he would have become a very valuable hostage.

He had initially thought that he wouldn’t seek the truth about his past life when he woke up in the hospital with a new body. There was no immediate solution, and death itself was unclear, so he put it out of his mind.

In his past life, when he had been dispatched to the Middle East, he had received intelligence that terrorist organizations in North Korea might engage in arms deals. He hadn’t sensed anything unusual and believed that he had been killed by a sniper, but if the terrorist organization discovered that Ryu Yeon-woo was hiding and still alive, they would have had no reason to assassinate him. He would have become a highly valuable hostage.

Although he hadn’t thought much about it, he knew that he would definitely seek retribution if his death had been orchestrated by betrayal, no matter how much time it took.

“Spring Lovers” was on the verge of surpassing its break-even point and heading towards two million sales before spring even arrived.

In addition, the casting for “Master Plan” had been completed, and the date for the full script reading was confirmed.

Yeon-woo was cast in “Master Plan,” and he found out that Han So-hyeon, who played the role of “Deer,” had also been cast.

“So-hyeon noona.”

[Yeon-woo?]

“We’re working together again. I called to say hello.”

[I see! I accepted without even knowing who the lead was. I was so surprised! As soon as I got the offer, I accepted because I wanted to try a Park Chan-hong film.]

Han So-hyeon was aiming for an acting transformation in her role as “Deer,” as she usually played bright and cheerful characters.

In the studio, Han So-hyeon, who only played the lead role, was grateful to take on a supporting role, especially under the direction of the master director Park Chan-hong.

More than anything, the role she found appealing combined comedy and sensuality. Even the character’s name was unique, Jennifer, the Deer.

“Deer” was one of the experts Pierre Choi called upon when he needed to plan and execute his schemes.

She infiltrated the world of beauties, gathering information or manipulating things as required, playing the role of the black rose in the confidence scam’s orchestra, led by Pierre Choi, as the conductor.

In this scenario, Yeon-woo pondered the scene where “Deer” first appeared.

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A beauty with milky-white skin and meticulous facial features, enhanced by seductive red lipstick, walked through the door.

Gwak Ji-cheol looked at her and asked Pierre Choi.

“Do you all call her ‘Deer’ because her pupils resemble a deer’s?”

“No, it’s because she melts the hearts of men.”

As the two were talking to each other, the face of “Deer” Jennifer, who had applied red lipstick to enhance her seductive charm, turned perplexed as she said.

“That guy is starting again. Lame jokes… Pierre, it’s not funny.”

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Yeon-woo thought about the role in the script and spoke up again.

“Noona, this role is going to be a remarkable transformation for you.”

[Yes, I wanted to try a role like this. I’m usually the complete opposite, so maybe that’s why.]

“I’m looking forward to it. I think we can have fun filming, and I have a lot to learn.”

[I’m excited to shoot your first leading role. Plus, it’s Director Park Chan-hong’s film.]

So-hyeon thought that it was impressive that he had gone from being an unknown actor to rapidly gaining fame within two years of the film’s release.

“Now that the casting is confirmed, and we’re about to start shooting, I’m a bit nervous. I wonder if I’ll do well among the great actors.”

[Why are you so uncertain? Captain Yeon-woo, of course you’ll do well. I believe in your acting!]

Yeon-woo smiled at So-hyeon’s encouraging words.

“See you at the reading, Noona.”

[Sure! I’ll need to prepare diligently.]

Yeon-woo put the finishing touches on his preparations for “Master Plan” and obtained his driver’s license during the break.

It had been two years since he last held the steering wheel, but with 20 years of driving experience, he didn’t make any mistakes.

Before he knew it, it was time for the full script reading. Yeon-woo’s car stopped in front of a building in Chungmuro.

The reading was held in a rather luxurious hall inside the building. Unlike dramas that typically expose their work on platforms like YouTube to secure a fanbase, movies rarely do that. Filming is done, but the recording isn’t usually processed and released for general viewers. Hence, there was a more serious atmosphere. Yeon-woo arrived in the meeting room.

“Hello, I’m Ryu Yeon-woo. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, yes. It’s an honor to meet a trending actor like you. Hehe.”

Yeon-woo arrived an hour early and shook hands with the people on set one by one. Most of them were industry insiders he didn’t recognize, but ultimately, they were the people who would work to make this movie a success.

Then, Director Park Chan-hong entered the meeting room, giving some instructions as he walked in.

“Hello, Director.”

“Hmm? Ryu, why did you come so early?”

He approached and greeted Yeon-woo with a smile, patting his shoulder warmly. The director’s gaze was somewhat softer than it had been during their intense audition.

The director instructed them on something and then left the meeting room. While reading the script, Yeon-woo spent time shaking hands with the supporting actors and staff members as they arrived. Most of the supporting actors were seniors in the film industry, so Yeon-woo approached them first, offering smiles and polite greetings. Then, a familiar face arrived.

“Deer Noona.”

As So-hyeon entered the meeting room, she was taken aback by Yeon-woo’s playful way of addressing her. Laughter erupted not only from the two of them but also from a few actors sitting near the entrance who had read the script in advance.

“Hehe, ‘Deer Noona,’ why is that so funny? It’s great to see you here.”

“I also feel more energetic with Noona’s presence.”

Han So-hyeon warmly held Yeon-woo’s hands and chatted for a while before getting up from her chair.

“Let me say hello to the seniors for a moment!”

Although she was the protagonist in “Summer Promise”, she was now surrounded by respected senior actors. Han So-hyeon, who had celebrated her 10th debut anniversary this year, had worked with many senior actors in previous projects, and they engaged in friendly conversations and laughter.

In the meantime, Ma Seok-do, who played Gwak Ji-cheol’s role, arrived as well.

“Senior, hello. I’m Ryu Yeon-woo.”

“Oh, yes. Nice to meet you.”

Yeon-woo shook hands with Ma Seok-do, who had a robust build and strong arms.

‘Is this the fist that can take down an ox?’

Yeon-woo couldn’t help but think amusingly as he felt the strength in his grip.

“It’s an honor to work together this time. Please feel free to talk to me, senior.”

“I’m honored as well. Let’s do well together. I’m nervous too, it’s Director Park’s film, after all.”

Ma Seok-do chuckled and whispered to Yeon-woo that he was also nervous.

As more actors arrived and took their seats, a multitude of industry insiders filled the rows, from the second to the third. Finally, Director Park Chan-hong and Han Yoon-soo, the producer, entered and took their seats.

After getting up from his seat and addressing the attendees, Director Park Chan-hong spoke.

“It’s nice to see everyone’s faces here together. I’m Park Chan-hong, the director of this film.”

Wow!

The participants responded with applause and cheers to Director Park Chan-hong’s greeting.

“In my opinion, filmmaking is a moment of artistic spark on set. Today, due to the circumstances, it might be challenging during the script reading, but when we go to the actual set, I hope all the actors will interpret the script independently and deliver many wonderful ad-libs.”

After taking a short breath, Director Park continued speaking.

“It’s your responsibility to capture that brilliantly. You have the freedom to act, as I will make everyone young again. Let’s start with actor Ma Seok-do.”

In response to Director Park Chan-hong’s encouraging words, the actors applauded, and Ma Seok-do stood up.