The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Chapter 208

Kim Yeon-ji’s mother, Chief Choi Ji-min, introduced herself.

“I am currently in charge of public relations for Korean Sign Language. This is Kim Tae-min, who helps with sign language consulting when needed. I introduced him to you two days ago, but he is also my husband.”

The man next to her greeted me with a bright smile.

I responded with a sign that meant ‘nice to see you again.’

Chief Choi Ji-min waited until I finished my brief exchange with the man before handing me a proposal.

“As Team Leader Woo mentioned earlier, we would like you to appear in an educational video promoting Korean Sign Language.”

“An educational video?”

“Yes. Korean Sign Language, like Korean, is an official language of South Korea. There is even a Korean Sign Language Day, but so few people know about it.”

Not all hearing-impaired individuals use Korean Sign Language.

Some people read lips and manage their daily lives without much trouble.

In other words, anyone can learn and use Korean Sign Language, regardless of whether they have a hearing impairment.

Like Korean, English, Italian, and French, Korean Sign Language is just another language.

Appearing in a video to promote such a language….

‘It would be an honor.’

But there was something odd about the proposal.

‘The content is quite sparse.’

There was a general outline, but details like the schedule and writer recruitment were lacking.

As I looked at the proposal with a puzzled expression, Chief Choi Ji-min gave a wry smile.

“Since we are a government agency, taxes are involved when we proceed. Therefore, we are very sensitive about costs and rarely hire celebrities.”

Ah.

I nodded.

‘They came to see if I was interested first.’

They wanted to check my availability before moving forward.

“If a famous person like you directly mentions Korean Sign Language, the impact will be significant. Especially among the younger generation.”

There was no need to flatter me so much.

I awkwardly thanked her for the formal compliment.

‘Hmm.’

My deliberation was brief.

When I glanced at Team Leader Woo, our eyes met as if he had been waiting.

I gave a small nod, and he smiled.

“Let me formally introduce myself. I am Woo Hyun-woo, the team leader of Wuyeon Entertainment’s Team 1, managing actor Lee Yeon-jae.”

Seamlessly taking over, he conveyed my intentions.

“We will need to discuss the schedule in detail, but we are considering it positively.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Let’s report to the higher-ups and discuss further. And there’s no need to worry about costs. Participating in such a good cause is an honor for us.”

“Oh… You mean…”

Chief Choi Ji-min looked surprised.

“Yes, the actor will participate without any fee.”

“…!”

The surprised Chief Choi Ji-min thanked us, and Team Leader Woo smiled kindly.

As I watched him smile, I thought to myself,

‘If he weren’t doing this job, what would he be doing?’

The signal I had given Team Leader Woo meant ‘I’m okay with it, do as you see fit.’

I expected him to say that, but seeing him actually do it still surprised me a little.

‘He’s truly gifted.’

There would be limits to the money we could get from a government agency.

It’s not like there were no companies offering me advertising deals.

I could have made plenty of money through advertising if I wanted to.

But I had purely intended to raise my value.

‘This boosts it even higher.’

Being part of a significant government project and the opportunity to enhance my image with a pro bono appearance was a valuable opportunity.

This wasn’t just about immediate gains but looking at the bigger picture.

For Team Leader Woo, this was as easy as pie.

“Then we’ll rely on you, Chief Choi, for collaboration with the press.”

“Of course. It’s what we should do.”

“Oh, and we’ll get back to you about keywords. We’re trying to avoid terms like ‘positive influence’ or ‘talent donation’ lately. They feel a bit clichéd.”

Team Leader Woo then meticulously went over the details.

From permissible phrases in press releases to charity events to be held alongside the project.

Chief Choi was taken aback by the stream of words flowing from Team Leader Woo’s mouth.

‘Does he ever think about anything other than work?’

I suddenly became curious about Team Leader Woo’s personal life.

Does he ever think about anything else?

While I was zoning out, it became my turn to jump into the conversation.

“Then we’ll need a script. Do you have any writers you recommend, Chief Choi?”

“We would appreciate it if Wuyeon could help with that. Since the video will be released under our name, we’ll need to conduct some proper vetting.”

“Yes, it would be best to have an experienced writer handle it.”

Team Leader Woo stroked his chin thoughtfully.

As I watched him, I quietly spoke up.

“Team Leader Woo.”

“Yes?”

“Can I try writing the script?”

“What?”

I responded calmly to his perplexed question.

“I’d like to write the script.”

“…?”

* * *

“What? You’re going to write the script?”

“Bi-hyuk, lower your voice.”

“Oh, sorry.”

Noh Bi-hyuk quickly apologized.

“Why? All of a sudden? What’s gotten into you?”

Noh Bi-hyuk, in a much quieter voice, shrugged his shoulders.

“Just because.”

“Just because??”

“Yeah. I just want to give it a try. If it doesn’t work out, then so be it.”

“……Are you really Lee Yeon-jae?”

I chuckled at Noh Bi-hyuk’s bewildered expression.

“Why? It’s not like it harms anyone.”

There wasn’t a writer already lined up, nor was the schedule tight.

I had never written a script before, so it would obviously be a mess.

But isn’t it worth giving it a shot?

“The writer recruitment will proceed regardless. No matter how well I write, a professional writer will be needed to polish the final draft.”

This isn’t child’s play.

That’s probably why Team Leader Woo readily agreed to let me try.

Noh Bi-hyuk tilted his head at my casual tone.

“Well, that’s true, but it’s still surprising.”

“What is?”

“It’s not like you. Normally, you’d say, ‘Why should I write a script when I’m not a writer? There are professionals for that.'”

“……”

He knows me better than I thought.

I gave him a sour look as he imitated my tone, and Noh Bi-hyuk burst out laughing.

“Am I right? You even turned down a director who asked you to work on a screenplay when you met him at the movie theater. When was that again?”

“Exactly a year ago. It was right before Christmas.”

“Ugh. Has it already been a year? Time flies.”

Noh Bi-hyuk shook his head in disbelief.

‘He talks like he’s seen it all, and he’s barely out of his teens.’

I felt a little sad that his cute side had diminished.

“So why did you change your mind now? You were so firm in rejecting it back then.”

“I told you, just because.”

“Lee Yeon-jae does things ‘just because’?”

Noh Bi-hyuk looked like he couldn’t wrap his head around it, but there was nothing more to say.

It really was ‘just because.’

Normally, I would have thought it made more sense to focus more on acting.

There was no reason to divert my attention to other areas, nor did I have the luxury to do so.

My change in perspective came from the certainty I found in Italy.

‘I’m going to be acting for the rest of my life anyway.’

I love acting. I love the me who acts.

So I became curious.

About the me who likes other things too.

“I’ll keep practicing my acting. I just think it would be good to try something new.”

“If that’s the reason, then it’s good~. I was worried that you were too obsessed with acting.”

Noh Bi-hyuk smiled in relief.

“……”

I was about to say that writing a script might help with my acting.

But I swallowed the words, fearing he’d call me an ‘acting freak.’

As Noh Bi-hyuk and I were chatting about trivial things, the café door opened.

Ting-a-ling—

The bell above the café door rang, and as soon as I spotted the person coming in, I raised my hand.

“Euntaek hyung! Over here!”

I raised my voice and smiled brightly on purpose.

I felt the eyes of the people in the café turn towards me.

Lee Eun-taek, seeing my smiling face, briefly stiffened his expression before relaxing it.

‘That’s it.’

Looks like he still wants to be an idol.

I’d been uncertain, having only seen his emotional side so far, but seeing him quickly manage his expression put me at ease.

“Gross. Stop smiling.”

Eun-taek whispered as he sat next to me.

I responded with a grin.

“You’re gross too.”

“……”

“Your expression is slipping. Keep smiling.”

I said with a smiling face, using ventriloquism. Eun-taek gritted his teeth and forced a smile.

“Haha…. How do you plan to be an entertainer with that personality?”

“I should be asking you that. At least I don’t swear like you.”

“You’re really something.”

Our words clashed sharply in the air.

Noh Bi-hyuk, who had been watching us awkwardly from across the table, chimed in.

“I can’t tell if you two get along or not.”

“Does this look good to you?”

“Then why did you sit next to Lee Yeon-jae? The seat next to me is open too. You sat down so naturally I didn’t even realize.”

“Because I don’t want to look at his face directly.”

Despite smiling, Eun-taek’s words were still sharp, aware of the people’s eyes on us.

Whether he liked it or not, it didn’t matter to me.

I glanced at my watch and spoke.

“Just stay here for about 30 minutes. Don’t forget to keep smiling.”

“Does this really work?”

Eun-taek grumbled, feeling like it was a waste of time.

Ignoring his grumbling, I responded nonchalantly.

“There’s a reporter sitting next to us. And some stalkers behind him.”

“……How do you know that?”

There’s no need to tell you that.

We came to this café because it’s known to be frequented by entertainment journalists, and there were indeed many familiar faces.

‘I should send Director Yoon a thank you message.’

The first piece of advice Director Yoon gave me was to memorize the faces of reporters if I wanted to manage my image.

I wondered if it would be helpful as I memorized the long list of names, but it turns out it really is useful.

“You’re not even listening to me.”

“More importantly, did you apologize to Bi-hyuk for being rude?”

Changing the subject, Eun-taek clicked his tongue and nodded.

“Yeah. I also told him not to get too close to you. He didn’t listen to that either. You two get along well, ignoring me alike.”

Noh Bi-hyuk laughed awkwardly at Eun-taek’s barbed words.

“Ah, hyung. You were nice to me this morning, why are you acting like this now? You’re just being prickly because Lee Yeon-jae is here.”

“Hey. Try being in my shoes. It’s hard enough just sitting here with a smile.”

I watched calmly as Eun-taek and Bi-hyuk conversed.

‘Seems like he really did apologize.’

Despite looking a bit worn out from mediating between Eun-taek and me, Bi-hyuk didn’t seem to be intimidated by Eun-taek.

‘Yeah, they’ll be spending time as members together, so they need to get along.’

Since I couldn’t let go of Bi-hyuk, Eun-taek had no choice but to treat him well. It wasn’t like I could just threaten him to be nice to Bi-hyuk.

‘What to do with him.’

As I quietly observed Eun-taek, he snapped back, asking what I was staring at.

After collecting my thoughts, I spoke up suddenly.

“Hyung, this Saturday, on Christmas, we’re having a party at my place.”

“What?”

Eun-taek looked startled by my abrupt announcement.

Ignoring his reaction, I continued.

“My manager, Bi-hyuk, Actor Lee Jung-hyun, and Jun-yi hyung are all coming.”

“So what?”

Eun-taek, with a displeased expression, asked back.

“Do you want to join us?”

“……”

Eun-taek’s eyebrows twitched.