NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor

[The protagonist of director Park Chan-hong’s blockbuster film ‘Master Plan’ is the blue-chip actor Ryu Yeon-woo?]

[Ryu Yeon-woo and Ma Seok-do bring an unimaginable chemistry in ‘Master Plan’.]

[Ryu Yeon-woo and Han So-hyeon continue filming consecutively after Summer Promise’.]

After watching a musical and unexpectedly experiencing a hangover, Yeon-woo collapsed and slept without checking the flood of articles since last night.

“It was announced yesterday.”

Yeon-woo checked the comments.

(jj131***): Wow… debuting just last year, and already the lead in a Park Chan-hong film? What’s his charm?

ㄴ (cha07***): He’s good-looking, isn’t he?

ㄴ (suin4***): How much is the production cost that they cast a lead with charm? Anyway, haters gonna hate.

(wag010***): Crazy. How can I wait until it’s released?

ㄴ (afsq***): Already crying while waiting. Will the plot unfold in between?

ㄴ (prett***): Unlike dramas, movies rarely have that kind of thing. Sigh.

While checking the comments, Yeon-woo received a call from Min-soo and prepared to go out, stretching lazily.

“Oh, come to think of it, I haven’t seen any musicals after all.”

Thinking about last night, Yeon-woo shook his head, dressed, and headed down to the parking lot.

Yeon-woo got into Min-soo’s car, who was waiting for him.

“Good morning.”

“Hello, Min-soo hyung.”

Min-soo spoke as he started the car.

“Only a month has passed since the end of your work, and you’re not taking a break.”

“Ah, Min-soo hyung also likes going into projects.”

“Hahaha.”

Not liking to sit still at the company, Min-soo chuckled at the sharp remark.

Soon they arrived at the LN building.

Going up to the 3rd-floor meeting room, Yeon-woo found the casting manager, Jung-hyuk, who helped with the casting when he took on the lead role in Master Plan.

“Oh, Actor Ryu. It’s been a while.”

“Yes, Team leader Jung, everything’s been well?”

Shaking hands as Yeon-woo entered, Team leader Jung greeted.

“It’s all good. It feels like just yesterday when we had the Master Plan audition, and now it’s already the crank-up. As you get older, time flies faster.”

As they chatted, they took their seats, and Team leader Jung presented several scripts prepared for Yeon-woo.

“Do you have a particular genre in mind? From the company’s perspective, we recommend entering a project after Master Plan is released and your value has risen, guaranteeing higher pay.”

In other words, despite Master Plan not being released yet, with the current influx of articles, Yeon-woo’s value has risen, but the guarantee hasn’t increased, making it the preferred state for all producers.

Setting aside such complex logic, Yeon-woo, who has never rested since his past life, finds resting quietly more challenging, wanting nothing more than to work on a project quickly.

“Genre… Well, I’m more interested in works with compelling stories or characters than specific genres. I’ll take my time to look through them.”

Nodding, Team leader Jung left, mentioning that he would be in the office downstairs, and if there were any questions while reviewing the scripts, Yeon-woo should contact him.

Yeon-woo read through the scripts Team leader Jung had prepared. Not all scripts get turned into actual productions, but most of the recommended ones here had already undergone some negotiation with broadcasting stations or production companies.

‘Hmm.’

After a while of scanning through the scripts, one caught Yeon-woo’s eye.

[The Star Beyond the River]

“It means beyond the river, but… it’s a historical drama.”

As if it had become a habit, Yeon-woo absentmindedly stroked his chin, immersing himself in the script.

‘The premise is interesting.’

It tells the story of Seo Hee, a shining star in Goryeo’s history, who, despite his achievements, has never been portrayed in visual media. The plot revolves around his diplomatic victory, turning the head of the Yuan army in the middle of enemy territory, and receiving the Gangdongju region as a gift in return for Goryeo’s bright star, ‘Seo Hee’.

“Mixing romance into a trendy fusion historical drama… I never thought about a historical drama.”

Upon reviewing the script, Yeon-woo discovered that it was a pure creation by the author Kim Jin-joo, focusing more on Seo Hee’s young love and growth rather than famous historical events.

While examining the unfolding plot, his hand stopped at the last chapter.

Without hesitation, Yeon-woo took out his smartphone.

Team leader Jung, who received the call, came up, and Yeon-woo handed him the script.

“Hmm, ‘The Star Beyond the River’, you say.”

Jung-hyuk pulled out a notebook from his pocket and looked it up.

“Ah, here it is. It’s a historical drama that will be produced on KBC Channel 1, quite an interesting one.”

Looking through the notebook, Team leader Jung continued speaking.

“Originally, KBC mainly focused on traditional historical dramas, so it’s struggling in the current ratings. That’s why they’re attempting a new approach with a historical drama infused with a young feel, romance, and fusion elements.”

Listening to Team leader Jung’s explanation, Yeon-woo nodded.

“It was interesting that it deals with Seo Hee, the teacher.”

“Yes, Seo Hee…”

Considering that, in my previous life, I interacted a lot with diplomats and foreign affairs personnel when entering the country as an agent, and the occupation of ‘diplomat’ itself is, in fact, a ‘shadow diplomat’. If someone asked who the best diplomat in Korea is, everyone would mention Seo Hee. As an example, there is a statue of Seo Hee erected at the National Diplomatic Academy.

As Yeon-woo nodded while scanning the script, he spoke to Team leader Jung.

“And the way it reaches the ending is interesting.”

“The way it reaches the ending?”

Team leader Jung heard Yeon-woo’s words and skimmed through the latter part of the script.

The first half of the script tells the story of Seo Hee and his close friend Lee Ji-baek, who fall in love with the female disciple Hong Ui-yeon who study under the same teacher while studying together in their youth.

And in the second half, based on the information that Lee Ji-baek gathered as a diplomat to Song, he, his wife Hong Ui-yeon, and Seo Hee together analyzed the international situation at the time in a meticulous manner and created a perfect diplomatic strategy, and they persuade the royal family and ministers with it.

The drama concludes with a scene of Seo Hee, riding a horse, creating a cloud of dust as he races alone towards the enemy camp, where the massive Yuan army is stationed.

“Wow. Since everyone already knows the story of Seo Hee’s diplomatic exploits to the extent of being included in textbooks, it’s interesting to end the drama like this. Quite innovative.”

Yeon-woo nodded after hearing Team leader Jung’s explanation.

“So, I really want to do this project, Team leader Jung.”

“If the current situation is any indication, KBC will probably welcome it with open arms. I’ll contact them first and get back to you.”

Expressing gratitude to Team leader Jung, Yeon-woo left the room. Min-soo, who was playing a mobile game in the waiting room, approached.

“Is your schedule finished?”

“Yes, you can come in if you want.”

Upon Yeon-woo’s invitation, Min-soo scratched the back of his head and laughed.

“I wouldn’t know even if I saw it. Haha. It gets stuffy inside the office.”

Kim Min-soo consistently dislikes the office.

“Then, are you going to your accommodation, Yeon-woo?”

“Yes.”

At Min-soo’s words, Yeon-woo nodded, and they went out to the parking lot. As they got in the car and approached the accommodation, Yeon-woo’s smartphone rang.

‘Have they already contacted KBC?’

When he took it out of his pocket and checked the screen, ‘Woo Seong-sik’ was displayed.

“Oh, Seong-sik.”

[Yeon-woo! Have you been busy lately?]

Immediately diving into the matter, Seong-sik inquired.

“No? Filming is over, and it’s a break.”

[Oh! We finished the semester too. Let’s hang out together. With Junsoo and Yuri noona.]

“Hang out? Where?”

[It’s summer, so how about going to a pension! I prepared a private lodging considering our celebrity’s privacy.]

“Well, sure. I’m okay with that.”

‘Seems like Junsoo and Yuri noona’s relationship has progressed quite a bit while I haven’t seen them.’

While thinking about Junsoo and Yuri, Yeon-woo nodded. Seong-sik’s voice reached him again.

[By the way, it might be a bit uncomfortable because Yuri noona has a red spot.]

Hearing Seong-sik’s words, Yeon-woo naturally remembered the time when Soo-yeon mentioned during camping that if there was an opportunity, she wanted to go out with friends.

“Well, then should I bring someone along? Whether she go or not depends on the discussion.”

[A girl? Who?]

“A friend named Jeong Soo-yeon. I got to know her during the filming of ‘Spring Lovers’. She played the role of young Ha yeri.”

[Hmm, who was that? It seems familiar, but anyway, I welcome it! It should be fun!]

Expressing excitement, Seong-sik ended the call, and Yeon-woo called Soo-yeon.

[Um… I’m a bit shy about meeting new people, but your friends should be nice, right?]

“Everyone is nice, and there’s a girl named Yuri noona among them, so it won’t be uncomfortable.”

[…Alright, sure. Let’s go!]

“Yeah, let’s give it a try!”

With strong determination, Woo Seong-sik quickly asked the room members and reserved the pension for two days later. On the day of the trip, in the morning, Yeon-woo picked up Soo-yeon in front of his studio, and Seong-sik arrived driving a rental van.

– Tal tal tal. –

– Drrrr. –

The sound of the diesel engine resonated as the door of the van swung open.

“Yeon-woo!”

Inside the car, Junsoo and Yuri, who were already seated, greeted Yeon-woo warmly. He had seen Seong-sik and Junsoo on occasional days off, but it was the first time for Yuri since the film preview.

“It’s been a while.”

Yeon-woo smiled as he got in, followed by Soo-yeon. While getting in the car, Soo-yeon, whose face had turned red, greeted them with a small voice.

“Hello…”

“Oh, wow, amazing!”

Fortunately, Yuri laughed amiably, seating Soo-yeon next to her and chattering away.

“This is incredible. I’ve seen all the web dramas Soo-yeon appeared in! She was so beautiful at the preview, I thought she was an angel.”

Whether intentionally trying to ease the tension or not, Yuri continued to chat incessantly.

“Oh, please feel comfortable, Unnie.”

Feeling embarrassed in front of the person in question, Soo-yeon blushed and lowered her head at Yuri’s praise.

“Oh, so cute! Then speak comfortably, Soo-yeon.”

Clapping her hands as if to applaud, Yuri made comments. Yeon-woo naturally sat next to Junsoo while Yuri complimented Soo-yeon.

“Was Yuri always this friendly?”

“Well, Yuri noona is also a fan now.”

Junsoo’s response made Yuri’s face flush from the front seat.

“Hey, Kim Junsoo, don’t say weird things about my favorite celebrity!”

“Well, what did I say?”

Junsoo shrugged his shoulders while looking at Yuri. Watching Yuri and Soo-yeon interact, Yeon-woo asked Yuri.

“Then who is the ‘Car Love Celebrity’?”

“Hmm, let me think? Jin Yu-han?”

A fellow actor of the same age who won an Excellence Award at the Korean Arts Awards, beating Son Jin-yuk. Yeon-woo nodded at Yuri’s answer.

“That actor, I checked a few of his works, and his acting is really good.”

Upon hearing that, Soo-yeon, sitting next to Yuri, spoke up.

“Yu-han has always been called a prodigy even among child actors. He always prepared every scene perfectly.”

And added quietly.

“…But I still think Yeon-woo is better.”

Soo-yeon believed that Yeon-woo, who exuded an aura that dominated the filming site, was far ahead.