Chapter: 08
“W-well? A genius-looking face, polite, but a little bit cheeky—the youngest son of a rich family?”
Han Jeong-sik finally covered his mouth after saying everything he wanted to say. He seemed aware that he had been too blunt.
<Brutally honest.>
Well, he is the grandson of a wealthy family. Though he was abandoned by his parents at some point.
‘In that case, I need to live up to expectations.’
I put the card away and spoke.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“C-compliment? That’s not really a compliment…”
I shrugged and said shyly,
“That’s right. I was raised with care, so I really can’t go by bus.”
“R-really? Uh, w-wait a moment. I’ll bring the car!”
I shook my head.
“Then let’s take the subway.”
For a moment, Jeong-sik hyung’s eyes flickered.
“I’ll get off at Euljiro 1-ga. By the way, buses won’t work right now. It’s crowded at this hour. Even if you drive a Bugatti, you’d get stuck.”
Probably worse if there’s an event around Gwanghwamun?
After straightening my collar again, I left the gloomy office. Jeong-sik hyung hurriedly followed behind me.
“Jeong-sik hyung. For the record, I don’t dislike public transport. I wasn’t raised too pampered, either.”
“Uh… okay…”
I suppressed a laugh at how amusing it was to tease Jeong-sik hyung. Then, the “Fairy of Swearing” spoke.
<Chanran. That’s a bad hobby. No matter how unreliable, he’s still your hyung.>
‘Thanks for the compliment?’
<What part of that is a compliment!>
The Fairy grumbled, but I walked on lightly. The wind blew through my coat, but teasing him was so fun I didn’t feel cold.
We got off at Euljiro 1-ga and walked slowly. Even in Korea, Myeongdong, where foreign languages are more commonly heard, was crowded today.
Jeong-sik hyung followed a few steps behind. When I explained why, he nodded obediently.
What I was doing today was collecting business cards.
‘It’s necessary to fill up my record.’
What does “record” mean for a rookie?
Think about it.
If there are only gaps in the filmography, what can you attach to it?
‘For now, it’s business cards. They serve as proof.’
Even for a rookie, business cards were a raw confirmation that others wanted to work with you.
I shrugged.
‘Ah, I hope casting managers walk around Myeongdong a lot today.’
Hand them over quickly. Anyone who sees this face will know—it’s not an everyday face.
<You seem confident about getting business cards.>
I smirked.
‘Of course.’
No matter the age or gender, if you’re born beautiful, your contact information floods in wherever you go.
‘And this face isn’t something ordinary.’
A glance around showed a few people already looking at me. It was the usual attention, but maybe because it was Myeongdong, it felt good.
‘Of course, I must act like I don’t notice anything.’
That was today’s concept.
‘A naive middle schooler who doesn’t know he’s handsome.’
Business cards and compliments about looks must seem unfamiliar to me.
<Chanran. Why bother with such a concept?>
‘Fairy, if I act like it’s obvious I’m handsome, I’ll look obnoxious.’
<I see. Good idea. People should be humble.>
‘Humility, huh…’
I tapped the side with the sticker.
‘I wasn’t born with that.’
<…You arrogant worm. Your name is Chanran.>
‘Fairy, do you honestly think it works? A handsome person can’t not know he’s handsome. How could he not? Every mirror whispers with perfect lighting, temperature, and humidity simultaneously.’
<Chanran, you are extremely annoying right now.>
‘Of course, being handsome has a price.’
Every advantage can become a disadvantage like a double-edged sword.
‘If you stand out, trouble will come. The more noticeable you are, the more problems arise.’
Even non-existent incidents tend to explode around beautiful people.
‘Fairy, also, a handsome person has duties.’
<There’s no such thing.>
‘No, really. First, maintain your looks as much as possible to benefit everyone’s eyes.’
Being first, it was the most important duty.
<Curious, Chanran. What’s the second important duty?>
Just as I was about to answer, someone suddenly grabbed my arm.
Two middle-aged men. Their eyes were glossy—crazy, just by looking.
“Student! Your face is so clear because you’re handsome!”
As expected.
I spoke to the Fairy immediately.
‘This is the second important duty.’
<Being proselytized by cultists?>
‘No way. The second duty is protecting this fragile body from evil people like this.’
Historically, beauties drew attention, but also stones.
‘A beauty is a delicate existence. So you have to cherish it like a flower.’
<Ugh.>
As I tried to pull my arm away, Jeong-sik hyung arrived at the perfect moment.
“Do you have business with my child?”
Even though it was a polite question, the cultists flinched at the shadowed look in Jeong-sik hyung’s eyes. I smiled proudly.
As expected of Jeong-sik hyung.
‘Big and solid as he is, and 195cm tall.’
Plus, his dark circles made his narrow gaze quite intimidating.
‘Well, he’s good-natured at heart.’
The cultists hesitated, mumbling, and turned away. Jeong-sik hyung came up quickly.
“You okay?”
I was about to say I was fine, but I glanced around subtly. There were eyes everywhere. Among them was my target. I lowered my head intentionally.
“Thank you for your help. I’ll be going now.”
“Eh?”
After hurrying away, I sent Jeong-sik hyung a KakaoTalk message.
- I’ll act oblivious for 20 minutes. The target is watching.
He checked the message and nodded.
I left him behind and walked toward Myeongdong again. My targets continued to follow.
‘Feels like herding prey with a net.’
I looked around as if I knew nothing. During the hunt, the Fairy spoke.
<What are you doing?>
‘Watch closely.’
When I stopped at the traffic light, two people suddenly appeared as if waiting for me.
“I’ve been watching! Student! Do you want to be a celebrity?”
“I’ve been watching too! I’m first!”
They frowned at each other.
“Director Jo, why are you here?”
“Director Kim, I was about to ask the same.”
As expected, Myeongdong had a lot of people.
‘But you two, fight later.’
I spoke innocently, pretending to know nothing.
“Um, um…”
Both turned at the same time.
“What’s the matter?”
The directors simultaneously took out business cards.
“I’m Director Yejin Music. I’ve been looking for this face. Student, want to be an idol?”
“I’m from H.G. Student fits our style better than Yejin’s. Want to be an idol?”
I carefully took the cards and bowed shyly.
“Uh, sorry.”
“Don’t reject right away. At least hear us out. Our company isn’t weird.”
“If it’s Yejin, it is a bit weird. Student, we’re real! You know, we’re third among domestic agencies.”
I acted flustered and stepped back.
“Sorry, I don’t watch TV much. But, um, this…”
I tried to return the business cards, but they waved me off frantically.
“Keep them. Ask your friends. If interested, contact us. Visit the company—it’s better. You should be an idol.”
“I was going to say that! Still, student, don’t go there, come to us. We’re much better. The building even has a place that makes excellent cream cakes! Even if you ask friends, we’re better.”
That was enough. I crossed the street quickly as the light changed. The two directors looked disappointed but didn’t chase me.
‘Hmm. Yejin and H.G are pretty big.’
They’re idol agencies now, but in a few years, they could become huge companies. Of course, big companies don’t always treat actors well.
‘Some noise exists, but that’s later.’
The first hunt was successful. I smiled while fiddling with the business cards in my pocket.
<So that’s what you were aiming for.>
‘It’s a pretty solid achievement.’
Perfect for a rookie actor with no filmography.
Jeong-sik hyung came up. I handed him two cards.
“Two at once.”
“Wow, you really got them. I gave mine immediately too. Both are well-known agencies.”
I shrugged and adjusted my clothes again. Jeong-sik hyung glanced me over and nodded.
“Yeah, with a face like that, getting business cards is natural. Ugh, it’s cold. You got them, Chanran. Going home now?”
What?
“Jeong-sik hyung. No way. Who do you think I’m giving these two to?”
“Uh? Two aren’t enough?”
“This is just the start.”
I unbuttoned one more button at my collar.
“My goal is to get over ten today. I’ll go from Myeongdong to Gwanghwamun, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll go to Jamsil.”
“Why there?”
“There are quite a few casting directors at the amusement park. Since I’m out, might as well collect a lot.”
“Geez, Chanran. No matter how handsome you are, ten in a day…”
I brushed my hair back slightly.
“Totally possible. With this face.”
Of course, it could be a little hard. If casting directors aren’t out today, even I couldn’t do it.
‘There’s a chance this beauty goes unnoticed in the crowd.’
But I had the Fairy of Swearing.
‘Fairy, I have a wish.’
<What do you want?>
‘Can you make me stand out for six hours?’
<Possible. The cost is 16 hours of headache, chills, and cough afterward.>
The effect was worth it.
‘Alright. Make it happen.’
<Understood.>
Good.
I unbuttoned another shirt button. A deep consideration to show off the genius face and neck line.
“Aren’t you cold? Why keep unbuttoning?”
“Better to show more. Excessive exposure is flashy, but moderate exposure is like a soft-boiled egg yolk.”
“What?”
I smiled widely and faced the street again.
“It makes people want to explode. I’ll act oblivious again. Please guard me well. I’ll message you when I head to Jamsil.”
I walked through the cold wind. It was below freezing, but heading toward my target, I didn’t feel cold.
I felt the gazes.
‘Good. Keep watching.’
Not an everyday face, after all.
The air on my fingertips was cold. Myeongdong, filled with foreign languages, was crowded, but it felt great since it was just the beginning.
The street billboards were lined up. I wanted to plaster my face all over them like before.
‘Well, that comes naturally when you become a good actor.’
I exhaled deeply.
Taking the first step brought impatience. My nerves tingled madly.
I whispered unconsciously.
‘I want to act.’
I wanted to deliver lines in front of the camera with perfect breath and intonation. I wanted to become another character and whisper their words.
I missed the scripts from my previous life.
I clenched my fist slightly, then relaxed it.
‘No need to rush.’
I knew it. The day would come when I could act, again. Step by step, I could wait.
<Chanran, what if that day never comes?>
I smirked and whispered.
‘If it doesn’t come, I’ll make it come.’
Just like now.
Another gaze approached. Another person to give a business card.
I walked forward slowly like hunting. Five minutes later, I got one more business card.
