NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor

“Really? Who is it?”

[It’s Jung Chan-sook. It seems this person also oversaw the drug case involving actor Ahn Jun-ho that you mentioned last time. However, if caught, they can be easily cut off. In other words, they seem to be a small fry in Baeksol’s hierarchy.]

Yeon-woo pondered over Han Hae-woon’s words for a moment. He recalled the bright and cheerful Ahn Jun-ho, who had always been the mood maker during the filming of 「Summer’s Promise」, and shook his head.

“Jung Chan-sook. That name sounds familiar.”

[It’s a common name. Currently, they are an Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.]

An Assistant Secretary is a Grade 1 civil servant. While it’s a high-ranking position, it’s not one that would typically be exposed to the media compared to ministers or vice ministers. However, the name felt familiar the moment he heard it…

“Mr. Han, do you have a photo you could send me?”

[Yes, Team Leader Ryu. I’ll send it right away.]

“Alright, I’ll take a look and reply via text.”

As soon as Yeon-woo ended the call, a photo was sent to him via a secure messenger from Han Hae-woon.

‘…So it’s this person.’

The moment he saw the face, he recalled who it was.

This person isn’t actually an Assistant Secretary, and the name Jung Chan-sook is an alias. Their real name is Ha Ju-ran, an NIS agent who was responsible for the southern regions of China and Myanmar-Laos.

Yeon-woo sent a message, and Han Hae-woon quickly replied.

[Han Hae-woon: I see. Ah, if only I could remember the investigation materials from my past life, it would make things easier. I did investigate the Laos region, but those memories haven’t returned yet…]

[Focus on investigating if there were any issues or scandals that needed to be covered up just before the Ahn Jun-ho case broke out.]

[Han Hae-woon: Understood.]

Yeon-woo hadn’t instructed the investigation just because Ahn Jun-ho was a close actor. When he thought deeply about Ahn Jun-ho’s case, one question lingered, at that time, Ahn Jun-ho wasn’t involved in any projects, so there was no apparent benefit for the mysterious group ‘Baeksol’ to gain by implicating him in a drug scandal.

This left two possibilities, either Ahn Jun-ho was actually involved in drugs, or a false issue was fabricated to manipulate the media and cover something up.

As Yeon-woo organized his thoughts, he began typing again.

[About the memories. What about that notebook? Didn’t you write it down in code?]

[Han Hae-woon: That wasn’t my area, so I handed over the information and disposed of it. I only handled ‘high-priority agents’ like you, Team Leader. Ha, I wish I could undergo hypnosis therapy to recover those memories.]

Reading Han Hae-woon’s message, an unexpected thought crossed Yeon-woo’s mind.

‘What if it’s that?’

He suddenly remembered the acting therapy at Jung Cheol-min’s academy, which had helped him recall inner memories. It had allowed him to harmonize the unstable parts of his psyche, blending the essence of Jeon Su-hwan with Ryu Yeon-woo.

Scratching his cheek for a moment, Yeon-woo began typing.

[…Then, would you like to try something? I know someone who might be able to help.]

[Han Hae-woon: Someone who can help? Are they a shaman?]

[Not exactly, but…]

Meanwhile, in the acting academy office in Daejeon, Jung Cheol-min sneezed loudly.

“Achoo—”

“Oh, is winter coming already? Why are my nose and ears so itchy, and why am I sneezing all of a sudden?”

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December passed quickly, and the end-of-year awards season for broadcasting stations arrived.

“Whew, I’m more nervous than you are.”

Manager Kim Min-soo took a deep breath while driving.

Yeon-woo quietly laughed at Min-soo’s nervousness.

“What’s there to be nervous about? It’s a happy day.”

“Of course, you’ll win an award, right? Honestly, you carried KBC this year.”

“Well, there were quite a few high-rated shows on KBC’s second channel too, so it’s hard to be certain.”

Min-soo shook his head from the driver’s seat at Yeon-woo’s words.

“No way, if you don’t win, I’ll leave negative comments on the KBC website. Seriously, this year was your year.”

None of the actors Yeon-woo had worked with in previous projects were attending today’s KBC Drama Awards. Son Jin-yuk was filming a drama for SBC, which hadn’t aired yet. Han So-hyeon hadn’t taken on any projects this year aside from CF activities, and Ma Seok-do was busy with a film shoot.

‘Hmm, if I do win, there are even more people to thank.’

This meant that he was building good connections in the entertainment industry.

– Beep. –

[「The Stars Beyond the River」 team, please enter.]

With the sound of the walkie-talkie, Min-soo’s car pulled up to the entrance of the KBC main hall, where the red carpet was laid out.

Following Min-soo’s car, Jin Yu-han and Seo Ji-eun’s vehicle also arrived. As the security guard approached and opened the door, the sound of camera flashes and cheers filled the air. Jin Yu-han and Seo Ji-eun stepped out behind them.

[Yes, the three main characters of 「The Stars Beyond the River」, which received immense love this year, have arrived. Actress Seo Ji-eun looks stunning in her dress tonight.]

The announcer’s voice echoed through the speakers as Yeon-woo naturally escorted Seo Ji-eun into the venue.

“Aren’t you cold?”

Yeon-woo asked, noticing Seo Ji-eun’s dress, which was quite revealing.

With a smile, Seo Ji-eun replied through barely parted lips, almost like a ventriloquist.

“I’m freezing.”

Jin Yu-han, walking beside them, chuckled at Seo Ji-eun’s words and slightly slowed his pace. He likely intended to let Seo Ji-eun enter the photo zone first to get her inside as quickly as possible.

‘He’s come a long way since we first met during filming.’

Jin Yu-han, who had initially maintained a strictly business-like attitude, had become more social, even going on outings with Yeon-woo and living with the theater troupe due to the musical.

“Please look over here.”

“Smile for this side.”

“Can we get a heart pose from the three of you?”

Following the reporters’ requests, they struck various poses. After individual shots, Seo Ji-eun entered the awards ceremony hall first. Yeon-woo and Jin Yu-han followed suit, passing through the photo zone and entering the venue.

‘Come to think of it, the combination is the same.’

Two men and one woman in a love triangle, just like in 「Summer’s Promise」. The difference now was that Yeon-woo had moved from being a supporting male lead to the main character.

As the ceremony officially began, the first award for the 「The Stars Beyond the River」 team came from an unexpected category.

[The KBC Drama Awards’ Best Supporting Actor of the Year goes to Jin Yu-han from 「The Stars Beyond the River」. Congratulations.]

Jin Yu-han, who had looked bewildered since his nomination was announced on the screen, stood up. Yeon-woo and Seo Ji-eun also stood up to congratulate him.

“Congratulations, Yu-han.”

“Thanks. I didn’t expect to win a supporting actor award.”

Although Jin Yu-han’s role as ‘Lee Ji-baek’ was initially planned as a supporting role, his strong presence and fame led writer Kim Jin-joo to increase his character’s importance as the series progressed. Within the drama team, he was considered a co-lead alongside Yeon-woo.

However, it seemed the broadcasting station had categorized him as a supporting actor. Jin Yu-han, delighted by the unexpected award, ascended the stage. He received the trophy and stood before the microphone.

[Ah, first of all, I would like to thank the KBC officials for giving me this prestigious award.]

Cheers erupted, and Jin Yu-han cleared his throat before continuing.

[Originally, I wanted to play the role of ‘Seo-hee’. After losing in the closed audition, I chose the role of ‘Lee Ji-baek’ out of curiosity about how Ryu Yeon-woo would perform.]

The audience murmured in surprise at Jin Yu-han’s revelation.

“What? So, Jin Yu-han lost to Ryu Yeon-woo in the audition?”

“I was wondering why Jin Yu-han suddenly took a supporting role.”

Journalists in the press section of the awards hall began typing furiously, eager to report the unexpected behind-the-scenes story.

[Acting has always been fun for me. However, working on this project with Ryu Yeon-woo and Seo Ji-eun, I realized that ‘acting together’ is also enjoyable. It’s not just about receiving the spotlight alone but about breathing together within the frame that makes the project shine. I will continue to repay you with better performances. Thank you.]

Bowing his head towards the camera and holding the trophy, Jin Yu-han descended from the stage to thunderous applause. Yeon-woo scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit embarrassed but nodded in agreement.

‘So that’s why Jin Yu-han suddenly started doing musicals.’

Yeon-woo had thought that Jin Yu-han’s personality had become more social due to the musical, but it seemed the opposite. His changed personality had led him to choose musicals.

As the awards ceremony continued, both Yeon-woo and Seo Ji-eun received excellence awards, bringing the 「The Stars Beyond the River」 team a total of three trophies.

[To my father, mother, and sister So-hyeon watching from home…]

Watching his son receive the award on TV, Ryu Cheol-yung polished the spot next to the Best New Actor award in the living room display case until it gleamed.

“Honey, we need to order a bigger display case. This one is too small.”

“Oh my, let’s order one then.”

Although the display case was already quite large and only had the Best New Actor award in it, making it look rather empty, in the eyes of Yeon-woo’s parents, the awards their son had received seemed much larger than they actually were. Ryu So-hyeon quietly smiled at his parents’ excitement.

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***

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“Son, did you pack the gochujang?”

“Seriously, I told you I don’t need gochujang.”

Yeon-woo was packing for his trip to Berlin. The new year had begun, and Yeon-woo had turned twenty-one. Director Park Chan-hong had poured his soul into completing 「Sketch」, and now it was time to present it on the world stage.

“I’ll be back. I’ll call you when I have some time.”

“Take care.”

“Bring me a gift, oppa.”

Closing the door and heading downstairs, Yeon-woo found Kim Min-soo waiting.

“Give me your suitcase, sir.”

Min-soo loaded Yeon-woo’s suitcase into the trunk and got into the car. Once Yeon-woo was seated, Min-soo grinned and looked back.

“My job satisfaction is at 100 percent. We’re off to Hawaii and Berlin every year.”

“Now that you mention it, that’s true.”

Chatting about various topics, they arrived at Incheon Airport, where more reporters than expected were waiting.

Parking the car, Min-soo shook his head.

“Wow, there are a lot of reporters. How did they find out without an official schedule announcement?”

“They probably got the information from the airline.”

Yeon-woo and Min-soo got out of the car, grabbed the suitcase, and crossed the crosswalk.

“Excuse us, reporters. We need to pass through.”

Min-soo, protecting Yeon-woo, asked the surrounding reporters for some space.

“Mr. Ryu Yeon-woo, what do you think your chances are of winning an award at this film festival?”

“Could you briefly introduce the content of 「Sketch」?”

Yeon-woo answered the reporters’ questions briefly as he walked towards the departure hall.

“Of course, it would be great to win, but I’m honored just to be invited. 「Sketch」 is a film about young people who embark on a journey to find something precious through music.”

“Reporters, please watch out for the pillars behind you. You might get hurt.”

Min-soo, who was clearing a path while protecting Yeon-woo and pulling the suitcase, warned the reporters who were walking backward and focused on the interview. Given his sturdy build, it seemed effortless for him to protect Yeon-woo and clear the way simultaneously. However, as more people recognized Yeon-woo, the crowd grew, making it increasingly difficult to move.

– Beep. –

Just then, the airport security team, alerted by the commotion, approached with whistles, allowing them to barely break through the crowd.

“Wow, next time, we should ask the company to assign more staff.”

“Indeed. It wasn’t this bad when we left for the reward vacation for 「Summer’s Promise」.”

Yeon-woo shook his head, realizing how much his popularity had grown over the years. When Team Leader Jung suggested additional security, he had declined, thinking it would be unnecessary and might seem excessive. That was a mistake. It seemed he would need security from now on.

‘To think that I, who was once a security agent, would need protection.’

Yeon-woo chuckled at the irony. At that moment, Min-soo checked his messages and spoke up.

“The director, Seo Ji-eun, and the other staff are all gathered in the lounge. Let’s head in.”

Nodding, Yeon-woo followed Min-soo into the gate.