NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor

“Yes, Jiwoo Hyuk in this film is a young man suffering from PTSD, wanting to heal his increasingly worn-out spirit while working as a firefighter,” Director Kim Han-soo answered.

“Absolutely. These days we see content about PTSD in deployed soldiers, but this work focuses on firefighters, who are heroes in our daily lives. I’m looking forward to it,” said the host as he shifted his attention to Ryu Yeon-woo.

“You’re a popular actor these days, Ryu Yeon-woo. It’s really nice to meet you.”

“Haha. Nice to meet you, too.”

Given that today’s schedule is filled with serious actors who are not very entertaining during interviews, the host Kim Young-hwan was especially pleased to see Yeon-woo.

“After seeing the introduction video for our film, a different question came to mind before asking about your recent trending topic, the college entrance exams.”

“Okay, I’ll answer sincerely,” Yeon-woo said, smiling at Kim Young-hwan.

“Hahaha. It feels like a public hearing. Watching the video, I noticed that you and actor Kang Joo-woon blend seamlessly. Any special efforts or know-how involved?”

Quick to pick up on the key points of the intro video, Kim Young-hwan asked.

“Yes, I worked hard on this part after taking advice from my acting mentor, actor Jung Cheol-min.”

He mentioned Jung Cheol-min to express his gratitude somehow.

“I also studied Kang Joo-woon’s filmography to pick up his characteristics and try to emulate them.”

Kang Joo-woon’s eyes sparkled at Yeon-woo’s response, as did host Kim Young-hwan, who had just found material for the interview.

“Kang Joo-woon, did you usually help Ryu Yeon-woo on set?”

“No, actually, we met for the first time today in the waiting room. It’s rare for the child and adult roles portraying the same person to meet.”

The host then looked at Yeon-woo again.

“So, you’ve really been practicing just by watching and analyzing his performances?”

Grabbing the chance, Kim Young-hwan smirked and continued, “In that case, could we perhaps see Ryu Yeon-woo mimic Kang Joo-woon’s acting for a moment?”

Caught off guard by the sudden request for an individual skill, Yeon-woo gave an awkward smile.

Then he stood up.

Woah!

Without hesitation, Yeon-woo stood up, receiving soft laughter and encouragement from the director and other actors seated next to him.

“I’m not sure if I can do justice to his performance with my skills, but let’s give it a try. ‘Spring Lovers’, fighting!”

At Yeon-woo’s spirited cheer, the reporters and associates laughed.

“Then, I’ll do a scene from one of Kang Joo-woon’s works, ‘The Joseon Manipulator’.”

Yeon-woo looked back at Joo-woon, who was sitting behind him, and made eye contact.

Joo-woon also looked at Yeon-woo and smiled, nodding his head.

“Ah, why are your eyes so filled with sorrow, young lady? Perhaps the unresolved love from your past life has poisoned you with sadness.”

Yeon-woo started to reenact a scene from a movie, speaking as if he were possessed by Kang Joo-woon, reciting lines with an archaic poetic rhythm.

Soon after, he put on a sly smile and spoke his final line in Kang Joo-woon’s signature slow speech.

“Should I perhaps… relieve you of that sorrow?”

Kang Joo-woon’s role in the movie ‘The Joseon Manipulator’ was that of a handsome playboy named ‘Lee Hyun’ who enchanted women in the capital.

Clap, clap, clap.

The audience and Kang Joo-woon gave him a round of applause for his flawless impersonation. Han Ye-jin, who was sitting next to him, screamed and repeatedly hit Kang Joo-woon’s arm.

“My my, he is just like you!”

Han Ye-jin shook Kang Joo-woon while telling him to look.

“It hurts, Ye-jin.”

Kang Joo-woon smiled mysteriously at the spectacle.

The host continued to praise Yeon-woo’s superb acting and moved on to asking questions to other actors.

After Kang Joo-woon and Han Ye-jin, it was Jeong Soo-yeon’s turn to answer.

When Han Ye-jin mentioned her close relationship with Yeon-woo and Soo-yeon, a natural question followed.

“…Actually, today is only the second time we’ve met. We’ve been in touch, but I don’t know if Yeon-woo thinks we’re close. Ah! I think we’re close…”

Suddenly facing the question, Soo-yeon hesitated in her shaky voice.

Director Kim Han-soo came to the nervous Soo-yeon’s aid.

“Soo-yeon is shy, so Yeon-woo must have put in a lot of effort to get close.”

Soo-yeon blushed and spoke softly into the microphone.

“No, I was the one who got the number first.”

Ha ha ha!

The stage and the audience erupted with laughter at the adorable Soo-yeon.

The rest of the event mainly featured lead actors Kang Joo-woon and Han Ye-jin.

The production announcement concluded smoothly, and Yeon-woo left after greeting Director Kim Han-soo and the other actors, heading back to his apartment.

Later that evening, the video of the production announcement and the teaser were uploaded online and also shared on Yeon-woo’s fan club Woo’s.

[Wow. When did our actor film this movie?]

[A multi-talented actor who can shoot a movie while studying.]

[Amazing. I just watched it. Our Yeon-woo and Kang Joo-won’s synchronization is incredible.]

Comments on the fan cafe and the video of the production presentation shared online were no different. While there was a lot of discussion about the famous actors Kang Joo-won and Han Ye-jin, there were just as many comments about Ryu Yeon-woo.

[Ryu Yeon-woo is really articulate and transforms into a different person when acting. So impressive!]

[That suit is incredible. Is it coming out next month?]

[Why are the comments here so artificial? Did they already hire part-time job?]

[Look at the video. Such comments are normal. You are the abnormal one.]

[34:59 – Ryu Yeon-woo imitates Kang Joo-won’s voice. Epic!]

Yeon-woo looked at the comments and then decided to call his father.

[Oh my, it’s my son. Ryu actor. Why did you call?]

Yeon-woo thought he should contact his father more often considering his father’s reaction.

“Haha, what are you up to, Dad?”

[I was thinking of finishing work and meeting some friends for a drink. How about you actor Ryu?]

Next to his friends, Ryu Cheol-yung’s body eagerly introduces himself as ‘actor Ryu’, wanting to boast about his son.

“Today I finished the press conference and came to the dorm. So, are you available on the 13th? It’s a Sunday. I want to invite our family to the Premiere.”

[Oh? A Premiere? Of course we have to go. Our actor Ryu.]

His father deliberately repeats the word “Premiere” loudly for his friends to hear.

“Dad, I’ll contact Mom and So-hyeon separately then.”

[Alright, our actor. Make sure you eat your meals on time.]

“Yes, Dad, you too, don’t drink too much and go home.”

After hanging up the phone with his father, Yeon-woo informed his mother and his sister So-hyeon in turn. Remembering what the staff had told him, that he could invite about ten acquaintances to the media distribution and VIP Premiere, Yeon-woo picked up his smartphone again.

“Hmm…”

“Hey, Junsoo.”

***

On the morning of the 13th, Yeon-woo’s family is dressed in their best clothes and heads to Seoul in car.

“Hoho, they said his role is just a cameo, but it feels different going to a Premiere to see my son.”

“Our actor Ryu is in Director Park Chan-hong’s movie this time, as the lead no less. Let’s consider today a dress rehearsal, hehe.”

As continuous laughter comes from the front seats, So-hyeon, sitting in the back, chuckles.

“Mom and Dad are so happy, their smiles reach their ears.”

It wasn’t just Yeon-woo’s family whose smiles reached their ears.

Junsoo, sitting on the KTX heading to Seoul, is even more excited than Yeon-woo’s family.

“Jeez, are you that happy?”

“Don’t you understand the heart of a man who’s going to win love?”

Junsoo and Seong-sik, now 20 and officially adults, tease each other.

“You don’t know what love is yet, kid.”

“What do you know?”

Seong-sik, who had some dating experience during school, ridicules Junsoo, who’s talking about true love.

“Have you ever kissed?”

Junsoo, who had only ever had a one-sided love for Hong Yuri in high school, stays silent.

Seeing this, Seong-sik smirks.

“Yeah, you’re a kid. You can’t even answer.”

“Shut up.”

Junsoo grits his teeth, making Seong-sik step back a little.

Soon they arrive at Seoul Station.

“Seong-sik, let’s meet at the cinema then. I’m going to go win love.”

“Alright, go for it. Give Yeon-woo my regards later.”

Yeon-woo had given Junsoo two tickets and encouraged him to do well. The remaining ticket was obviously for Hong Yuri.

Although Yeon-woo’s help was a hundred percent of the reason, Junsoo, who is having his first date today, takes steps towards the subway station entrance with both excitement and nervousness.