Top Star by Luck

Chapter 108  

“Pardon?”  

Lee Min Ki flinched at Director Hwang Ui Seong’s sudden question.  

Director Hwang Ui Seong, with his usual unshaken expression, calmly asked,  

“What do you think, actor? Do you believe this collaboration will truly benefit *Fashion and Fashion*? That’s what I’m asking.”  

I know.  

I know that’s what he’s asking.  

Lee Min Ki glanced over at Director Seo Jung Woo.  

And he was surprised.  

‘He’s flustered.’  

Seo Jung Woo, who was usually the very definition of composure, was clearly floundering for once.  

**Actor, you need to answer this well.**  

It was a look that Lee Min Ki, having met him several times, could read.  

“I think…”  

Lee Min Ki opened his mouth, deciding to at least put out the fire.  

“I think it will help.”  

But it didn’t end there.  

Director Hwang Ui Seong, with his still weighty voice, asked again,  

“Is that so? Why do you think that?”  

“Well…”  

“Specifically. Explain in detail.”  

This is difficult.  

Countless question marks floated in his mind.  

Lee Min Ki wondered why he was even being asked for this opinion.  

‘No, that’s not it.’  

Wouldn’t it make sense to ask?  

From what Lee Min Ki had seen on set, Director Hwang Ui Seong surprisingly listened carefully to other people’s opinions.  

[Why do you think that?]  

[Did you consider other approaches?]  

[You’re still lacking in thought.]  

At a glance, it sounded like he was interrogating them.  

Why did you do that? Did you even think about it? Did you just act without any thought?  

Most of the time, it came across that way.  

Since Director Hwang Ui Seong was so blunt that one might think he lacked basic social skills, it wasn’t strange for people to perceive him that way.  

But over the past month,  

Working with Director Hwang Ui Seong, Lee Min Ki had realized one thing.  

‘He’s genuinely asking.’  

Director Hwang Ui Seong’s questions were, literally, questions.  

Even when he spoke with Director Kim Gam, it was the same.  

[Why did you place the camera here?]  

[Did you not consider light reflection?]  

[Isn’t there too much waste in the filming movement?]  

Whenever this happened, Kim Gam always answered calmly, like a Ukrainian volunteer soldier standing firm against a Russian invasion.  

It wasn’t just Kim Gam.  

Even Lee Min Ki himself had been asked for his opinion several times.  

[I'm observing.]  

When he said he would observe, it literally meant he would observe.  

[Think about the runway for yourself.]  

It was a cue for him to act freely.  

Because of those questions, there had been many times when Lee Min Ki spontaneously planned his performance.  

Director Hwang Ui Seong carefully evaluated it and sometimes passed it in one take.  

‘Though that was rare.’  

In short, Director Hwang Ui Seong was someone who paid more attention to others’ opinions than one might expect.  

He was far from being authoritarian.  

Extremely cautious and unwilling to show emotion, he was only misunderstood as a tyrant.  

Rather than answering vaguely to appease him, it might actually be better to speak frankly.  

No, this was the correct way to deal with Director Hwang Ui Seong.  

[You don’t have a sense of individuality, actor.]  

[What?]  

[Our studio has no need for actors who only adapt to others.]  

In the past, Kim Do Ha had been kicked out of one of Hwang Ui Seong’s productions for that exact reason.  

[For minor roles, maybe, but as the lead, you must have ownership of your project. You must constantly think of ways to make the work better as you judge the work yourself.]  

[Wait a moment. I simply respect the director’s opinion—]  

[Is that so? I don’t need subcontractors. I need partners.]  

Director Hwang Ui Seong hated people without a strong perspective.  

He avoided those who were simply “too nice.”  

He disliked people without dreams.  

And he despised those who hid their goals.  

He preferred people who, no matter how reckless, could confidently voice their opinions.  

This was Lee Min Ki’s assessment of Director Hwang Ui Seong.  

Or rather, this was the essence of the filmmaker Hwang Ui Seong.  

‘In that case…’  

He made up his mind.  

“Hoo.”  

Lee Min Ki steadied his breath.  

Depending on his answer, Director Hwang Ui Seong might make his decision.  

Perhaps the collaboration would be swept all the way to the Bermuda Triangle.  

But at the very least,  

‘I’ll say what I need to say.’  

If he hid his thoughts and brushed this over, he would regret it later.  

Even if it meant getting criticized, he didn’t want that.  

“In Korea,”  

Lee Min Ki, determined, began to speak.  

“It’s still rare to see films and derivative products sold through collaborations. But in Japan, China, and even the United States, films frequently recoup production costs through merchandise, and they also use it as a marketing tool.”  

“Just because other countries do it, does *Fashion and Fashion* have to do it too?”  

“Yes.”  

Even in the face of the rigid question, Lee Min Ki answered with a firm voice.  

“Being able to do it but not doing so is a waste of potential.”  

Oh no.  

As he spoke, he realized he might have gone too far.  

A director with a stubborn, old-school personality might scoff at his words.  

But Director Hwang Ui Seong still only asked,  

“What if the quality of the work is compromised in the process?”  

It sounded like a professor asking a student for their opinion.  

Regaining his composure, Lee Min Ki took another breath and answered.  

“That won’t happen. JC, I, you, and everyone involved in production know this very well. First, we must raise the quality of the work to recover marketing costs.”  

“So, in any case, the quality of the work comes first. Is that what you’re saying?”  

Director Hwang Ui Seong nodded and asked again,  

“But the important thing is, can the collaboration products truly help improve the quality of the work?”  

“Production costs…”  

He was about to provide his first supporting argument.  

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”  

Director Hwang Ui Seong interrupted Lee Min Ki and said,  

“Our studio isn’t so short on funding that we need special investments.”

Ah.

This person must be rich.

They said they’d only discuss this from a purely artistic perspective.

If that’s the case, there’s a Plan B.

Lee Min Ki, regathering his thoughts, cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

“There’s another reason. Collaboration products can greatly enhance the quality of the work.”

“For example?”

Now that he had firmly grasped the flow, Lee Min Ki nodded and continued.

“There are various ways for people to enjoy the work, but by purchasing, collecting, and wearing our products, they can feel Fashion and Fashion on a deeper level. Right away.”

At that moment.

A flash of inspiration shot through Lee Min Ki’s mind.

It was.

‘That watch.’

The green watch wrapped around Director Hwang Ui Seong’s wrist.

A watch as thick as could be.

The rugged metal material, as if flaunting its presence, tightly gripped his thick wrist.

There it was.

A perfect example existed right in this very place.

With a fresh smile, Lee Min Ki began speaking.

“Like 007 fans enjoying the sentiment of James Bond by wearing a Submariner!”

Indeed.

The watch on Director Hwang Ui Seong’s wrist—it was none other than a Rolex Submariner.

A product that became an enduring symbol in cinematic history thanks to James Bond.

More than just a sponsored product, it was an item that became the emblem of an entire film, proudly shining on Director Hwang Ui Seong’s wrist.

And today, coincidentally, Director Hwang Ui Seong was wearing a suit.

‘How could anyone not think of 007 with those two combined? And you call yourself a movie director?’

That would’ve been professional negligence.

But despite his confident pitch, a small doubt lingered beneath.

‘Just because he’s an artistic director doesn’t mean he dislikes commercial films, right?’

If, by chance, he did—

That question was answered a few seconds later when Director Hwang Ui Seong spoke.

“Rolex is certainly a fine watch. It looked great in 007. I purchased this watch after seeing that film.”

“……!”

It was the correct answer.

Director Hwang Ui Seong stroked the watch on his wrist as he said,

“Listening to your words makes me think it would be nice if Fashion and Fashion had such a symbol as well.”

At those words, Lee Min Ki’s eyes widened.

Did he hear that correctly?

Did Director Hwang Ui Seong just speak positively about a collaboration product?

That doubt, too, was soon cleared up.

“Moreover, if audiences who watch our film feel like Lee Jong Ho by purchasing your clothes, there would be nothing better.”

It was clearly a positive statement.

“Director, then—”

Director Seo Jung Woo, who had been silently holding his breath and listening, finally spoke.

“You’re agreeing to sell clothing that appears in the movie as collaboration products through our JC Entertainment and CEO Yoo Gyu Eon’s YU?”

How detailed.

It was obvious how much he wanted confirmation. Director Hwang Ui Seong nodded and said,

“Yes, I agree. While we’re at it, it would be good to bring some prototypes next time.”

It was over.

Director Seo Jung Woo leaned back into the sofa with a sigh of relief after receiving firm confirmation.

Thanks to this, Lee Min Ki was now able to expand his career as an actor.

‘I did it. I managed to secure a collaboration in Director Hwang Ui Seong’s film.’

Had no one been watching, he might have clenched his fist and trembled with joy.

Whose merit was this?

Feeling it was all thanks to Lee Min Ki, Director Seo Jung Woo glanced at him sideways.

‘You really are lucky. Or maybe you can’t help but be lucky.’

He had good judgment.

By avoiding actions that could be harmful and taking actions that were beneficial, that’s how it seemed.

As a faint smile formed on his lips, Director Hwang Ui Seong, still expressionless, said,

“JC is quite lucky.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m saying it’s lucky to have Actor Lee Min Ki.”

“Ah.”

That was irresistible.

Finally unable to hold back, Director Seo Jung Woo smiled and said,

“I completely agree.”

After the negotiation result of the official Fashion and Fashion collaboration product launch became known—

“How on earth did you pull that off?”

CEO Yoo Gyu Eon, who had been absent due to stress but returned after his vacation, was amazed.

“Jung Woo, what are you? He’s the hardest person to negotiate with that I’ve ever met, and you managed it?”

“I didn’t do it.”

Amidst his torrent of surprised words, Director Seo Jung Woo replied with an embarrassed laugh.

“Actor Lee Min Ki did it.”

“The actor?”

“You don’t know? He doesn’t show it, but his way with words is something else.”

“Oh, I know that.”

“Huh?”

“He’s practically a sage, you know? The man never makes a verbal slip-up.”

“…….”

After a brief moment of silent staring between them—

They both reached a consensus at the same time.

“Jung Woo, in my opinion, Min Ki doesn’t speak like someone in his twenties.”

“He seems like an old man who’s been through everything.”

“Hmm, maybe an old man who turned young again?”

“Stop reading martial arts novels.”

It was clear that Lee Min Ki wasn’t just a normal person.

In a good way, of course.

“I heard he almost signed with Daon at first, but it’s lucky he signed with our company.”

“That’s right; working with him is a blessing. This time, someone even came looking for our brand’s clothes from Gothenburg.”

“Gothenburg?”

“A city in Sweden, apparently.”

Whether Lee Min Ki was aware of it or not, his good fortune didn’t just benefit himself but spread to those around him.

“In any case, working with him is really comfortable.”

And coincidentally—

Lee Min Ki himself was also starting to feel more comfortable working on the Fashion and Fashion set.

“What were you thinking when you acted like that?”

In response to Director Hwang Ui Seong’s seemingly critical question, Lee Min Ki replied confidently,

“I felt that Lee Jong Ho, the character, would laugh off people who mocked him for being a slave to money, rather than being shocked by it.”

He said what he wanted to say.

It was clear that Director Hwang Ui Seong, despite appearances, accepted others’ opinions quite well.

So there was no need to hold back for fear of offending him.

Of course.

“Your interpretation is incorrect. Acting like that will ruin the emotional flow.”

“…….”

“Just stick to the script.”

That didn’t mean he accepted every opinion without adjustment.

But after exchanging a few words, Lee Min Ki could tell.

‘Did he just… smile?’

There were indeed expressions on Director Hwang Ui Seong’s face.

Even Kim Gam seemed to notice it a little, and Lee Min Ki as well.

‘No, I must be seeing things.’

Of course, sensing it and being completely certain were two different matters.

“Let’s proceed with the next scene.”

As filming gradually progressed,

The time finally came to shoot the most crucial scene in Fashion and Fashion.

Why did the protagonist, Lee Jong Ho, become a slave to money?

It was to pay for his only family member’s hospital bills.

And now, Lee Jong Ho heard over the phone that his family member had passed away, unable to overcome their illness.

So then.

How would this genius, who already viewed his life with cynicism, react when he lost the sole meaning of his existence?

“Actor, let’s get ready.”

Now, it was time to shoot that scene.