NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor

“Bernard Penton?”

“They say he first saw you when he attended the Korean Arts Awards and has been closely watching ever since. Their casting structure is a bit different from ours, where they usually take about four months and go through several auditions to match actors with roles.”

Yeon-woo nodded as he listened to CEO Kim Joo-seong’s words. Having watched several documentaries about overseas casting, he had a rough idea of how the system worked.

“Well, if I choose this project and end up shooting it, it will be my first time making a name for myself overseas.”

“After ‘Master Plan’ finishes screening, it will be exported to many countries. But this will likely be the first official launch. If you flip through, there’s a rough outline even if it’s not detailed.”

Yeon-woo flipped through the pages as CEO Kim Joo-seong spoke.

[A noir action series where various forces from different countries intertwine toward a single goal.]

“It’s really vague to grasp the content.”

“That’s how it usually is. If you decide to participate in the audition, they’ll provide more information. After that, if you don’t like it, withdrawing is up to you.”

Taking a sip of water from the cup in front of him, CEO Kim Joo-seong continued with a relaxed expression.

“Of course, being associated with Bernard Penton means it’s a blockbuster-scale project and a great opportunity. But considering your current status and momentum domestically, there’s no rush. And even if you accept, things won’t proceed immediately. They tend to take their time with work, so I think the audition schedule won’t be set until early next year.”

Listening to CEO Kim Joo-seong’s words, Yeon-woo pondered.

‘Noir action…’

It wasn’t a genre he particularly liked, as his past life was a noir action itself, but if he did it, it would be a genre he could excel in.

‘I won’t avoid noir action altogether in the future, and reality and work are different.’

With determination, Yeon-woo nodded his head.

“I’ll give it a try. It seems like it’ll be fun.”

At Yeon-woo’s words, Kim Joo-seong smiled as if he had expected it.

“Since you are also proficient in languages, I thought it would be a good opportunity. Let’s go ahead with that plan.”

Seeing Kim Joo-seong like that, Yeon-woo spoke again.

“By the way, I’m really thankful for helping with Jeong Soo-yeon’s work last time. I wondered if it was too much to ask for help with work from another agency, even though she’s not a member of ours.”

Yeon-woo expressed his gratitude, not only feeling thankful but also hoping to obtain information about Byun Hak-gyu from CEO Kim Joo-seong. Hearing his words, Kim Joo-seong nodded as if it was nothing to worry about.

“That matter isn’t worth your concern. Byun Hak-gyu, the CEO of Plus Ten, was someone who joined as a rookie when I was still working on-site. The problem lies in his excessive ambition. He was causing trouble even from a young age… Oh, young people call this kind of thing TMI. Haha.”

Yeon-woo smiled and shook his head.

“No, not at all.”

“Well, aside from the Netflix deal, during your rest period, it might be good to engage in activities outside of work, like advertisements or fan meetings. There are plenty of things to do besides your projects.”

Yeon-woo nodded at his words.

“I guess if I choose Netflix, it would be difficult to start another big project during the preparation period. I understand, Sir.”

Soon after, an employee brought in the meal, and Yeon-woo finished the conversation by chatting warmly about his recent works.

The next day, after spending time with his family in Daejeon, while exercising at home, Yeon-woo’s smartphone rang.

– Ring… –

[Woo Seong-sik: Yeon-woo, are you busy? Can we talk?]

Seeing the message from Seong-sik, who hadn’t contacted him in weeks due to preparing for midterms, Yeon-woo replied.

[Sure, we can talk.]

Immediately after, Seong-sik called him.

“Hey, Seong-sik.”

[Yeon-woo, I saw the news. Congratulations on finishing the shoot. And it’s impressive you caught that pervert dude.]

Yeon-woo chuckled at Seong-sik’s blunt words.

“You never hold back, do you?”

[Oh, and Yeon-woo, what are you doing this weekend?]

“This weekend? Well, I’ll probably be watching episodes 11-12 of ‘The Star Beyond the River’. I’m currently at home.”

[Ah, then how about coming to a pool villa with me, Junsoo, Joo-hyung and another friend from a different university?]

Yeon-woo grinned at Seong-sik’s suggestion.

“Joo-hyung? Isn’t he my college classmate?”

[We met again coincidentally at a joint university presentation competition. We’ve become quite close since then.]

“Your sociability never fades, Woo Seong-sik.”

[By the way, I failed my midterms because of you. I didn’t have time to study because I was watching ‘The Star Beyond the River’ and ‘Master Plan’.]

Yeon-woo, who had personally taught Woo Seong-sik how to study during their school days, chuckled and nodded as he looked at the calendar.

“You probably slacked off again. Anyway, I can go. What about Yuri and Soo-yeon?”

[Let’s go with just the guys this time. Yuri got upset with Junsoo for something.]

“Got it. It’ll be nice to hang out with friends after a long time.”

[Oh, I’m already looking forward to it. Let’s have a blast this weekend, Yeon-woo, melt my heart.]

– Click… –

“…Woo Seong-sik, that guy.”

Yeon-woo, who was looking puzzled at his smartphone, shook his head and resumed exercising.

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***

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Meanwhile, in the drama department of KBC1 channel, they were checking the ratings of the rerun of ‘The Star Beyond the River’ airing from 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

“Hahaha, this is amazing!”

Director Hwang and the scheduling team exchanged glances as they checked the ratings, unable to believe their eyes.

The ratings received from the calculation company were phenomenal. Typically, rerun ratings in the afternoon time slot would be about half of the original broadcast, but this time, it exceeded 40%.

“Director, with this kind of rating, we might surpass 25% this weekend, right?”

“Ryu Yeon-woo is truly a gold mine. Oh, and by the way, there weren’t any injuries from the incident yesterday, were there?”

Thinking ‘he really asks quickly,’ Director Lee Sang-hoon responded to Director Hwang and the scheduling team, who were chattering away.

“Yes, fortunately, both are unharmed.”

“Well, that’s a relief. From movies to talk shows, everything’s going great. Hahaha.”

Of course, Director Lee Sang-hoon was happy about the rising ratings, but he felt heavy-hearted as unexpected incidents happened to the actors he had grown fond of during filming. Nevertheless, he was relieved that they were handled well without any harm.

Meanwhile, Seo Ji-eun, whom Director Lee Sang-hoon was worried about, was sitting blankly on the living room sofa, staring into space, lost in thought.

Seeing her daughter like that, her mother approached her with pity and hugged her tightly, wiping away her tears.

“Eh? What’s wrong?”

“Our daughter, she was so shocked. Just staring into space.”

“No, it’s not that. I’m thinking about what gift to give Yeon-woo. A wallet would be too common, right?”

“Huh?”

Surprised by the unexpected cheerful voice, her mother looked at her daughter.

Then, Seo Ji-eun nodded vigorously, clenching her hands.

“Now that the culprit has been caught and everything’s resolved, there’s no need to be depressed! Let’s go, let’s go, fighting! By the way, what do you think he’d like as a gift?”

Watching her daughter search for what gift to buy, Seo Ji-eun’s mother felt relieved but also somewhat flustered by her daughter’s absurdly positive mindset, even though she was her own daughter.

====

***

====

“What’s all this?”

The day before going to the pool villa with his friends, Yeon-woo finished dinner with his family and drove up to Seoul. During the drive, he found his phone inundated with messages.

As he scrolled through them, he realized they had originally planned to invite one more friend, but it seemed like he had bailed at the last minute.

[Kim Junsoo: Hey, didn’t we reserve for 5 people? We need an even number of players to match the other team.]

[Woo Seong-sik: Yeah, it’s sudden, getting stood up like this. We missed the chance to travel with the hottest star.]

[Kim Junsoo: That’s Jin Gyu’s fate, I guess.]

Hmm? Did they reserve for a 5 vs. 5 soccer game?’

He chuckled at the message about needing an even number of players, then suddenly thought of someone and typed a message.

[Ryu Yeon-woo: Should I ask a friend I know?]

[Kim Junsoo: Oh, who? We’re not picky about friends, so it’s fine.]

[Kim Joo-hyung: Welcome.]

Yeon-woo sent a text message while considering whether to call.

– Rrring… –

[Huh? Yeon-woo, what’s up?]

“Oh, um, do you have any plans this weekend? I’m planning to hang out with some friends, and I was wondering if you’d like to join. It’s just guys.”

[…Hmm. Do your friends like movies?]

The person who answered the call was Jin Yu-han.

Unexpectedly, Yu-han asked a question that Yeon-woo hadn’t even thought about, wondering if they liked movies.

‘Do these guys like movies? Well, my classmate Joo-hyung is definitely a movie buff.’

Yeon-woo nodded and replied.

“Yeah, I think so. One of them is a huge movie fan.”

[Alright, then I’ll go.]

Jin Yu-han, known as a tough nut to crack among child actors, surprisingly accepted the invitation coolly, which was unexpected.

“Great, then I’ll come pick you up Saturday morning. Yu-han, can you send me your address?”

After ending the call with Jin Yu-han, Yeon-woo typed in the group chat.

[Ryu Yeon-woo: I recruited one friend to come with us. I’ll pick him up tomorrow. Will it be like last time, with Woo Seong-sik?]

[Woo Seong-sik: Yeah. I’ll pick him up at the apartment. Who’s the friend? Another guy, right?]

[Ryu Yeon-woo: Yeah, it’s a guy. What about the number of players mentioned earlier? Did you reserve something like a soccer game?]

[Kim Junsoo: It’s not some boring soccer game. It’s much more exciting. Hehe.]

What did they reserve, anyway?

Yeon-woo recruited Jin Yu-han as a special guest, while his friends each secretly prepared exciting leisure activities for the next day.

“Ji-eun Noona must have been really surprised. I’m glad you’re not hurt either.”

“I called her, and she seemed braver than I expected. We’re here.”

Yeon-woo returned to the apartment after picking up Jin Yu-han in the morning.

“He’ll be here soon. Let’s wait downstairs.”

As Yeon-woo and Jin Yu-han were stretching outside the car, a van arrived with the sound of polite diesel engine.

– Vroom… –

“Yo, Yeon-woo!”

“Not fitting in, are we?”

Seeing Yeon-woo mockingly comment on Woo Seong-sik, who was imitating rappers’ greetings with exaggerated hand movements, he quickly became sullen.

Interested in Yeon-woo’s casual demeanor with his friends, Jin Yu-han stood beside him.

“Let me introduce you. This is my friend Jin Yu-han who’s joining us today.”

“Hello.”

As Yeon-woo introduced him, Jin Yu-han took off his hat and mask and greeted them.

“Oh. I was curious if…”

“…Wow, it’s him.”