Life is Easier If You’re Handsome

I’m screwed.

I’m totally messed up.

My life is over.

“I’m a worthless piece of trash.”

An empty office.

Veritas CEO Choi Seok-ho stared blankly out the window.

The view outside was nice.

“But the view inside is the worst.”

Is there a word that fits the situation better than ‘desolate’?

He thought he had enough connections and a solid career.

But it’s ruined.

Why?

Because he’s at odds with a big company.

“Is this really necessary?”

You can’t stop an actor from choosing a role.

That’s the business of writers and directors.

But you can stop an actor from choosing an agency.

Especially when it’s not just any agency, but a single-person agency in a feud with a big corporation.

Squeezing that one agency was nothing for Cybers QA.

“I just want to jump off a cliff…”

He’d tried to recruit countless actors, but the result was zero.

He adjusted the profit-sharing ratio to the max, negotiated contract periods, and raised signing bonuses.

No matter what he tried, he couldn’t recruit a single actor.

The rumors spread like wildfire.

Choi Seok-ho was at odds with Cybers QA,
and if you didn’t want to be on their bad side, don’t sign with Choi Seok-ho.

At this point, he just wanted to cry.

It felt like everything he built up in his mid-thirties had collapsed,

and that his entire career was a sandcastle.

“I’m so lonely.”

Especially since everyone around him had left.

It’s true that nobody was in a position to help,
but still, nobody even reached out.

Here I am, a guy who left a big company, and I’m really nothing.

Choi Seok-ho sank into deep loneliness.

So he suddenly suggested to the building owner that they grab a meal together.

He wanted to vent to some random stranger,
to lean on unexpected kindness.

He just wanted to have a conversation with someone, somehow.

“Is it time to meet?”

After looking around the office with no staff or actors,

Choi Seok-ho tidied his outfit in front of the mirror.

He’d said he’d come if he had time.
So all Choi Seok-ho had to do was wait patiently.

And just then.

Creeeak.

The door opened.

“Hello. I’m Kim Donghu. Are you the CEO of Veritas?”

A light shone in.

“What the…? ”

First of all, he was handsome. Seriously handsome. Unbelievably good-looking.
Then there were his long limbs and perfect proportions.
And finally, the aura.

Choi Seok-ho had seen the auras of countless actors, and they all had one thing in common.

A strong impression. What people call presence.

In that sense, Choi Seok-ho felt the strongest presence right now.

But this boy just waltzed in, seeking management?

This was a chance from the gods.

“Yes! Yes! I’m, I’m CEO Choi Seok-ho.”

Before he knew it, the honorifics slipped out, and Choi Seok-ho rushed toward the clumsy boy.

Kim Donghu, was it? He was incredibly handsome.
He thought this as he initiated a handshake.
First, we shook hands.

“Welcome to Veritas! So, what do we do first? A contract? Look at the works?”

Choi Seok-ho was overly excited.

However, his excitement didn’t last long.

“Food.”

“Uh, what? ”

“You said you would have a meal today.”

Meal appointment? When did I do that with this kid?

Then it suddenly hit me.

‘The appointment with the landlord.’

At that moment, Choi Seok-ho’s mouth dropped open.

In horror, Seok-ho’s cry unfolds like a masterpiece.

“…L-landlord?!”

+++++

Awkward, awkward.

If I had to summarize this situation, that was the only phrase that fit.

Bubble, bubble, bubble.

In the middle, a hot army stew is assertively making its case while I and Choi Seok-ho awkwardly exchanged glances.

“Uh, so… how…”

“Just got lucky. Did this and that.”

“Ah, um… you can speak comfortably. I mean, you are the landlord…”

“No, still, you’re quite a bit older than me, gotta keep the manners.”

“Then you can just call me hyung…”

Choi Seok-ho, no, Seok-ho hyung was trying hard to lighten the mood.

Honestly, I felt zero awkwardness; it was more him struggling with it.

“Ah, then I’ll call you hyung. Thanks for the consideration, Seok-ho hyung.”

“Uh, uh… yeah, yeah. But is army stew really okay for you?”

“Yeah, they make it well here.”

For reference, this was on the first floor of our building, at the Great Demon Army Stew place.

The owner knows me, meaning…

“Oh my, the landlord is here! Why didn’t you tell me! Everyone! Add more ingredients and bring one egg roll too~!”

That meant the service would flow heavily.

“…They give egg rolls here?”

“That’s a landlord’s privilege, super tasty.”

I never knew that existed— Seok-ho hyung murmured in amazement before quickly regaining his composure and spewing out his next words.

“I really wanted to thank you in person for the flower basket you sent.”

“What’s that about? It’s only natural.”

“No, I’ve been going through some stuff, and it really… helped a lot.”

“Landlord Dong-hu~ it’s all cooked, so you can eat now~!”

“Yes, thank you, boss.”

In the midst of expressing gratitude, the boss jumped in with the meal signal.

Seok-ho hyung awkwardly took my bowl and ladled out the stew.

With a generous portion of ramen and lots of spam.

That overt kindness was surprisingly nice.

“Thank you.”

“No, no, really, I should be thanking you.”

So we continued our army stew meal.

After about five minutes of eating in silence, Seok-ho hyung intermittently shook his head.

‘He seems to be lost in thought.’

Actually, I knew what he was pondering.

Just as I was thinking of breaking the ice a bit…

“Have you ever thought about becoming an actor?”

Seok-ho hyung jumped straight to the point.

“An actor?”

“Yes, if you become an actor… you could really, really become famous. I’ve never seen anyone as handsome as you, landlord.”
“Seriously… I’m pretty sure you can become really famous. I’ve never seen anyone as good-looking as you in my life, like a property owner!”

Seeing Seok-ho’s serious gaze made me suddenly remember my past life.

Despite feeling utterly powerless, I kept moving forward, never cursing the life ruined by my looks, and just kept walking.

For some reason, that image overlapped with Seok-ho.

“I’m already an actor.”

“Oh, uh… really?”

As soon as Choi Seok-ho heard that, he looked noticeably older—like, can a person change that much in an instant?

Seeing Seok-ho deflate like a popped balloon, I immediately had to pump some air back into him.

“But I still don’t have an agency.”

“Th-that! Uh! Wait a second! Just wait, please!”

Crunch crunch crunch.

Choi Seok-ho anxiously shoved several bites of budae jjigae into his mouth and jumped up from his seat.

You’d think he was rushing to grab a contract—how urgent must he have been?

‘I didn’t even mention wanting to sign a contract in the first place.’

Of course, I knew we’d end up doing it. The info from [Sims – The Real Life] would help my life run smoothly.

Bang bang bang!

Choi Seok-ho, who almost toppled over again, finally appeared before me, panting heavily.

As expected, it seemed he brought the contract, but what he prepared was a stack of documents.

+++++

Naturally, things didn’t happen over budae jjigae.

Choi Seok-ho was well aware of his own antics.

Maybe it was because he was meeting an actor without an agency for the first time in ages?

Blushing, Choi Seok-ho continued his speech awkwardly.

“…So, you’re currently appearing in ‘Hydream,’ and you’re at the supporting lead level? You’re set to appear in about five episodes, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“And you have around 10,000 followers on Face Tome…”

He wasn’t just an actor but was beyond the usual level.

If anything, he had already adapted somewhat to filming for a newbie.

There were cases like this.

When a big rookie suddenly emerged.

But usually, that story only happens after an agency has nurtured them.

‘I can’t believe someone can do this alone.’

Was this talent? As those thoughts crossed his mind, Seok-ho snapped back to reality.

This was a contract that had to succeed, and he was cornered.

In such times, being stingy was just foolish.

“First, the signing bonus is three thousand, and the revenue split is 9:1. Just so you know, I’m the 1.”

Choi Seok-ho laid his cards on the table.

He didn’t want to mess things up by being stingy and joking around.

“The three thousand is because I see the potential in you as a property owner. ‘Hydream’—I know it. It’s going to be a huge drama, and you’ve already started filming…”

“As for the revenue split, it’s the same. Typically, with newbies, there’s a lot to take care of, but in your case, there’s no need since you’ve already accomplished so much on your own.”

“And finally, let’s talk about the contract duration.”
“Lastly, let’s talk about the contract duration.”

Choi Seok-ho squeezed his eyes shut.

“I’ll make it one year. Honestly, this is all I have in my hand.”

So now, all he had to do was wait for the other party’s reply.

Is there anything scarier than a landlord holding the reins?

At that moment, Kim Donghu opened his mouth.

“Why such good conditions? I get the terms, but you could extend the contract duration, right?”

“Because it shouldn’t be. I’m going to run my business on trust. And at the same time, it’s a sign of confidence.”

“Huh?”

“That the landlord will confidently renew the contract after a year.”

“Can you please give me that chance?”

At Choi Seok-ho’s trembling words, Kim Donghu grinned broadly and replied.

“Of course.”

Remembering the days he worked hard, he expressed his intention to contract.

Choi Seok-ho instantly fell apart.

“Uh, um, then… should I call you… landlord? Donghu? Umm… Donghu landlord?”

How should I sort out the titles?

At that, Kim Donghu burst out laughing.

“You can just call me Donghu!”

“Okay, I got it, Donghu landlord!”

“…?”

Isn’t something about that a bit off?

+++++

At the same time, at Shinbit Middle School.

It was that time when all the kids were going home.

A man who just got out of a luxury sedan stared fixedly at the school gate.

It’s been about 40 minutes, thinking anyone would realize he was super good-looking.

But no one came out, so he finally approached a nearby boy.

“Do you know a student named Kim Donghu?”

“D-Donghu? You mean Donghu?”

Peeking.

The name tag said Na Kang-sik, a slightly chubby student.

Since he referred to Donghu, he seemed to be a friend.

“Yeah, I’m not a weird person…”

He slid out a business card to show who he was.

Studio Geum-gang, Representative Park Geum-gang.

He was someone who desperately hoped for a film’s success, and at this moment, he wanted Kim Donghu more than anyone.

But.

“D-Donghu isn’t coming to school for a while.”

“W-What?! Why?!”

“Uh, w-well, it’s personal info so I can’t really say…”

“!”

That’s true.

The young lad was pretty sharp.

Park representative had no choice but to enter the school and meet Kim Donghu’s homeroom teacher.

After explaining the situation, he contacted Kim Donghu’s parents.

Only after all this could he get Kim Donghu’s number.

What a long, long time it was.

Drrrr, drrrr, drrrr.

Kim Donghu, we must meet.

Park representative’s eyes were burning with intensity.

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