Chapter 43
Chapter 43
After the filming of [Forever Green] was completed.
Lee Min Ki focused on only one thing.
‘I’m lacking input.’
He worked on gathering input.
He watched movies, dramas, and even went to see musicals.
When necessary, he requested on-site visits as well.
Absolute input.
This was the part that Lee Min Ki felt most regretful about during the filming of [Forever Green].
‘Seeing things after your perspective has broadened is completely different from seeing them before it does.’
Anyone could watch others’ acting, analyze it, and be impressed.
But what about the next step?
It was about reflecting the acting that he had painstakingly absorbed into himself.
Lee Min Ki was spending time training to overcome this stage.
Of course, it wasn’t as if he was just idling around.
“Please take care of me again today!”
“…Min Ki, it seems like your vocal projection has improved more and more.”
“Was my voice too loud?”
“No, it was strong and energetic, which is good.”
He also didn’t forget to work as a fashion model for CEO Yoo Gyu Eon’s shopping mall.
Modeling was great practice for learning how to be conscious of others’ gazes and attitude, and JC E&M respected the actors’ autonomy in such areas.
It was fun too.
“This outfit is good as well.”
Lately, he was finding it even more enjoyable.
“How should I put it? It feels like this outfit fits me perfectly.”
Wearing the clothes he was handed, Lee Min Ki changed poses several times in front of the mirror, carefully examining the details.
He couldn’t help but continuously express his amazement.
‘Before, it always felt like I was wearing someone else’s clothes, but now it feels like these clothes are made for me.’
It was as if he were wearing a tailored suit.
While he was lost in thought, wondering about the reason behind this difference, CEO Yoo Gyu Eon spoke with a satisfied expression.
“I always contemplate what clothes would suit you, Min Ki.”
“My physique?”
“Yes, it’s not something that even needs to be said, but even clothes of a similar style look completely different depending on the person’s physique.”
Yoo Gyu Eon slowly looked Lee Min Ki up and down.
“If we consider your characteristics, let’s see. First, your head is small, and your shoulders are broad. Your posture is upright, and your overall proportions are great.”
“Haha… That’s high praise.”
“But compared to professional models, there are still weaknesses. For instance, your height could be considered average.”
For a moment, his heart sank.
But it was true.
At about 178 cm tall, in an industry full of models who easily surpassed 180 cm, his height wasn’t particularly exceptional.
“If we get into the details, like leg length, pelvic angles, or neck length, then you’re quite different from professional models.”
Yoo Gyu Eon continued pointing out these minor shortcomings.
“Even your facial features are an issue. If a model’s features are too distinct, they can overshadow the colors of the clothes, which can sometimes be a problem.”
Because Yoo Gyu Eon was usually kind, his words felt all the more impactful.
Just as Lee Min Ki’s confidence was about to plummet like a leaf in the wind, Yoo Gyu Eon added one more thing.
“But.”
The next words that came out of Yoo Gyu Eon’s mouth were completely opposite to what he had just said.
“That’s exactly your strength, Min Ki.”
It was a turning point.
“Min Ki, you don’t just have a good physique, but a striking body that looks like someone real, someone you might actually come across. Yet, when you look around, such physiques are surprisingly rare. You’re teetering between an ‘okay’ body and an extraordinarily striking one.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“Yes, as a ready-to-wear model, it’s actually an advantage over having alien-like proportions.”
What a relief.
It seemed to be a compliment.
The piece of confidence that had almost fallen away inside Lee Min Ki was suddenly stuck back with strong adhesive.
“That’s why I’ve been constantly thinking about what clothes would suit you best.”
Yoo Gyu Eon walked around the corner of the office as he continued.
“I adjusted the collar to fit your small head, and I fine-tuned the shoulder line to accentuate your broad shoulders. Even though I tailored everything to fit, after a while, something would always shift, and I wondered why.”
“Ahem.”
It was thanks to his dedication to exercise.
Under Gym Manager Kwon Joon Yong’s intense supervision, Lee Min Ki had pushed himself to the brink, working his latissimus dorsi (back muscles) and deltoids (shoulder muscles) to the point of feeling like his bones were being ground down.
[You said broadening shoulders is tough.]
[Yeah, it’s nearly impossible to broaden them no matter how hard you try.]
[I read online that for some people, no matter how much they work out, they don’t see improvement.]
[That’s because they’re not pushing themselves hard enough. If you push yourself to the limit, they will broaden.]
Although the progress was just millimeter by millimeter, since most people’s shoulders looked quite similar, even that small difference made a significant impact.
His small head also created the illusion that his shoulders were even broader.
“I’ve been contemplating over the past few months about what clothes would best suit you, Min Ki.”
Yoo Gyu Eon opened the wardrobe and took out a hanger with an outfit.
“And recently, I think I might have found an answer.”
In his hand was a coat.
It was a light gray coat with sleek lines running cleanly from the top down.
The unique part was that it had almost no embellishments.
“Min Ki, do you know how to cook?”
“I can only manage simple meals for living alone.”
“I see. Well, in cooking, there’s a saying. The better the ingredients, the less you need to rely on small tricks to enhance the flavor. You emphasize the ingredients’ natural taste rather than covering them up with seasonings or side dishes.”
As he held the coat, Yoo Gyu Eon slowly walked toward Lee Min Ki.
“This is minimalistic fashion. We boldly removed all unnecessary details, leaving only the essentials to emphasize your physique.”
Minimalism.
A style that emphasized simplicity to the greatest extent.
It was clean and could look good on anyone, but to really pull it off, you needed a natural physical elegance.
And this minimalistic look was perfectly tailored to Lee Min Ki’s body.
“It’s a prototype. Take your time and look it over.”
Admiring the luxurious fabric, Lee Min Ki mumbled in awe as he accepted the coat from Yoo Gyu Eon.
“Wow… The craftsmanship is exceptional. Your clothes have always been great, but this one feels different.”
“I worked hard on it.”
Yoo Gyu Eon beamed as he accepted the praise for the clothes, as if it were a direct compliment to his own abilities.
Which, in fact, it was.
But Lee Min Ki still had one lingering question.
“CEO, didn’t you originally avoid making coats?”
To this, Yoo Gyu Eon nodded.
“Yes, that’s true.”
It was exactly as he said.
While Yoo Gyu Eon had created various kinds of clothing, he had always avoided making coats.
More precisely, he did make them, but he never sold them.
Yoo Gyu Eon explained the reason in a calm tone.
“Coats are expensive to produce. Since people wear them for a long time after buying one, sales are low, which means limited production is necessary. Because they aren’t made in large quantities, they’re sold in smaller numbers, and thus, they become more expensive. The sale price of a coat is several times that of a T-shirt, but the labor cost is also much higher.”
It was a risky product.
Like a high-tech unit in a real-time strategy game.
Once drawn, they perform well, but if you fail, the loss is significant.
“So, before making it, I had to first find someone who could wear it well.”
CEO Yoo Gyu Eon said this as he looked at Lee Min Ki.
“……”
For a brief moment, Lee Min Ki stood silently.
Then, he finally realized what Yoo Gyu Eon was trying to say.
‘He’s been consistently looking for a model that would fit his clothes.’
And that model was him.
Considering that Yoo Gyu Eon had likely encountered many professional models but still chose him, it was a bit overwhelming, yet gratifying at the same time.
It meant that he was being recognized as more than just a temporary model, but as someone of greater importance.
Because of this, he could sincerely say:
“Thank you.”
He was grateful for the recognition.
“I should be the one thanking you.”
At that moment, Lee Min Ki thought he was lucky.
Meeting a talented designer had not only helped him cover his living expenses but also gave him a chance to advance further as a ready-to-wear model.
He couldn’t help but think he was fortunate.
But if he delved deeper, both of them were lucky to have found each other.
Yoo Gyu Eon’s luck was meeting someone like Lee Min Ki.
Luck is mutual.
If he had intended to use and discard Min Ki, this kind of luck wouldn’t have come to him either.
“Now that we’re talking about it, why don’t you try it on?”
“…Ahem. Yes, just a moment.”
In that brief, slightly awkward moment—
Buzzzzzzz――
Lee Min Ki’s phone suddenly vibrated loudly.
“Ah, excuse me.”
When Lee Min Ki took out his phone to answer the call, the news he received was quite unexpected.
It was a call from Manager Park Han Mo.
“A press conference?”
It was about attending the press conference for [Forever Green], the project he had just finished filming.
This was an unexpected offer for Lee Min Ki.
‘I’m a rookie, though?’
Typically, for press conferences, it’s standard practice to invite the director, the lead actors, and supporting actors with high recognition.
It was rare for a completely new actor to be invited to such an event.
The actors who attended press conferences often became the face of the movie in the media, so there was no reason to split the publicity by including a rookie.
That’s why he was all the more thrilled.
“Thank you! Of course, I’ll definitely be there!”
While Lee Min Ki was repeatedly expressing his gratitude to Manager Park Han Mo over the phone—
“Huh?”
The next words caught him even more off guard.
– There isn’t a specific dress code, but it would be best to dress smartly. Maybe a suit or a coat? If you don’t have one, it could be a good opportunity to get something tailored. I’ll look into some good sponsorships for you.
He was told to dress well for the occasion.
However—
‘I have one, though?’
As it happened, Lee Min Ki already had a tailored outfit.
It was right in front of him.
A custom-made coat that a highly skilled designer had spent months crafting, specifically for his body.
Lee Min Ki, feeling a chill run down his spine from this perfect coincidence, spoke into the phone.
“Manager, could you come over here for a moment?”
– Huh?
“I’ve got a custom coat.”
* * *
The following week.
The press conference for [Forever Green] was held at COEX.
A press conference was essentially an event where filmmakers said, “We’re about to release this, so come check it out and give us your thoughts.”
It was like sprinkling information for the press to write about.
To put it bluntly, it was a way to get good photos taken and have promotional articles written.
“Phew.”
Rookie actress Joo Ha Na, who had unexpectedly been invited as well, let out a deep sigh.
Understandably, she was feeling nervous due to the sheer number of people around.
“Are you nervous?”
Actor Kang Do Won glanced at her and asked.
“Oh, no. I’m fine.”
Joo Ha Na tried not to show her unease, but Kang Do Won simply turned his head away.
His naturally stern face made him seem heavy-hearted.
For a moment, she couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the impression that his gaze held some disdain.
“When you’re a rookie, everyone feels the same way. Don’t worry about it. Just try to enjoy yourself.”
Kang Do Won spoke with a flat tone.
“When the camera flashes, be mindful not to tuck your chin in, and try not to flare your nostrils.”
“Oh.”
It was a warm piece of advice.
But for some reason, the fact that a senior actor mentioned flaring nostrils made her want to laugh.
With a small smile, a bit of the tension inside Joo Ha Na began to ease.
“Thank you!”
“No need to thank me.”
Despite his stiff appearance and speech, Kang Do Won was more considerate than he seemed.
Meanwhile, a certain someone popped into Joo Ha Na’s head.
‘Speaking of which, I wonder when Min Ki will arrive.’
She found herself personally looking forward to seeing Lee Min Ki.
Although he was a rookie, he had an oddly seasoned air about him. She wondered if he would maintain that composure in a setting like this.
‘I’m just curious, that’s all.’
As these thoughts swirled in her mind—
“Who is that?”
“Wow.”
She heard murmurs from afar.
Someone was making their way through the crowd.
“…!”
The person who appeared at the end of those murmurs made Joo Ha Na’s already large eyes widen even more.
“You’re here early.”
“…”
“Ha Na?”
“…”
“Ha Na.”
“Ah, yes, neck—!”
She stammered in surprise and bit her tongue by accident.
How embarrassing.
But it was out of her control.
Sometimes, when someone looks too good, your brain just short-circuits.
The lighting behind Lee Min Ki, highlighting his silhouette, only enhanced his appearance, making him look like a Renaissance painting.
‘That outfit looks incredible.’
Whether he realized it or not, Lee Min Ki glanced around casually and muttered.
“Wow, I guess it’s because Kang Do Won and Choi Yoo Chang are here. I feel eyes on me from all directions.”
No, it’s because of you.
You.
You!
Joo Ha Na barely managed to swallow the words that had risen to the tip of her tongue.
