NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor

After reading the script Joo-hyung sent him and doing some light exercise to warm up, Yeon-woo headed to Daehangno when it was about time.

He went up to the second floor and opened the door to find my friends eating cup noodles.

“Why are you eating cup noodles? They have no nutritional value.”

“Oh, Yeon-woo’s here.”

“I had dinner but suddenly got hungry again. There’s one more cup noodle, want me to make it for you?”

Yeon-woo shook his head at Junsoo’s words.

“No, I’m fine.”

“How was the American talk show? Is it different from ours?”

At Seong-sik’s question, Yeon-woo briefly recalled that time.

“Well? I just had a normal conversation and came back. Actually, I’ve never even been on a Korean talk show.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Come to think of it, the only variety show activity Yeon-woo had done so far was “Summer’s Table” which he filmed at his debut.

He also appeared on YouTube in between, but since that wasn’t even TV variety, it’s essentially just one.

“The broadcast will probably air next Saturday. In our country, you won’t be able to watch it if you don’t have a subscription to the channel.”

“It’ll be uploaded to YouTube with translations in no time anyway. Someone of Yeon-woo’s caliber is now in the ‘Do You Know Club’.”

Yeon-woo tilted his head at Joo-hyung’s words.

“What’s the ‘Do You Know Club’?”

“Do you know Ryu Yeon-woo? Do you know kimchi?”

Understanding what he meant from the simple answer, Yeon-woo chuckled.

“Come on. I’m still far from that level of recognition. This recent work just happened to be a big hit by luck.”

“Hey. Too much modesty is a disease too. Someone at your level should accept and enjoy the popularity a bit.”

“You think so.”

Of course, it wasn’t that Yeon-woo didn’t realize his own popularity.

Yeon-woo started talking about future plans since the topic came up.

“So, when we practice and finally put the play on stage, the audience will come in, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Since we’re amateurs, it might be difficult to do multiple shows like other theater companies. How about we do the play just once a day, starting at 7 PM?”

“Well, I’ll do whatever the theater company director says.”

Junsoo and Joo-hyung also nodded at Seong-sik’s words.

Looking at his friends, Yeon-woo pointed at himself with his finger.

“Theater company director? Me?”

“Yeah. Of course you’re the theater company director.”

He had never thought of himself as the director since he initially thought they were doing this together, but come to think of it, he was indeed the director.

Yeon-woo grinned and continued speaking.

“Have you all read the script?”

“Of course. I didn’t know Joo-hyung had this kind of ability.”

As the friends looked at Joo-hyung, he scratched the back of his head, his face turning red from embarrassment.

“I didn’t tell my family either. Only the five of us, including Yu-han, have seen the script so far.”

Yeon-woo added to Joo-hyung’s words.

“Speaking of family, if you guys are okay with it, how about we do one more special performance on the weekend, inviting family members, acquaintances, and Yu-han’s and my fans?”

“That sounds great.”

At those words, Seong-sik raised his hand.

“Hey. Give me about five tickets too. I have quite a few fans on my Staragram.”

Then Junsoo hit Seong-sik on the back.

“Hey. Those aren’t your fans. They’re Yeon-woo’s fans. This guy is trying to increase his followers by betting five tickets as prizes.”

“Hehe. Busted. I’m just kidding.”

Joo-hyung shook his head seeing this.

“This guy’s obsessed with followers.”

“Hahaha, if I were the king of Joseon, my title would be ‘Attention Seeker’…”

“Shut up. Stop being ridiculous.”

Yeon-woo smiled watching his friends bicker.

Just then, the door of the theater company office opened and Jin Yu-han came in.

“Yu-han’s here?”

“Sorry. I’m a bit late.”

Yeon-woo shook his head at Yu-han’s apology.

“What are you sorry for? Aren’t you tired? You must have had a musical performance today too.”

“I’m used to it now, so it’s fine. I was a bit tired during the first week after the premiere, but now it’s completely ingrained in my body.”

Yeon-woo nodded watching Yu-han.

“You guys should practice until it’s ingrained in your body like Yu-han.”

“But we’re just minor roles with barely any lines?”

At that, Yeon-woo grinned looking at Seong-sik.

“Oh? Are you looking down on minor roles? Is this the start of a controversy about not working hard? Or is it the audacity of a beginner thinking it’s okay to be half-hearted?”

Since high school, it was okay to lose whether playing soccer or basketball with the next class.

But the moment a lack of effort was revealed, Junsoo and Seong-sik had already learned through experience that it was best to lie flat when faced with Yeon-woo possessed by the devil instructor.

Detecting the occasionally activated ‘Scolding Mode Yeon-woo’, Seong-sik laughed exaggeratedly and mumbled.

“Haha. What are you saying? I, your humble servant, was just about to go down to the basement. What are you guys doing? Let’s go down quickly.”

Yeon-woo and the theater company members went down to the basement performance hall and spent until late at night guiding their friends’ acting while all learning the script contents together.

However, as expected, Yeon-woo wasn’t talented in teaching acting, so most of it was Jin Yu-han’s role.

Yeon-woo admired Yu-han watching him.

“How do you teach acting so easily and well? Is this what a real genius is?”

But Yu-han shook his head looking at Yeon-woo instead.

“In my opinion, you’re the real genius. I’m just someone who has worked hard since childhood as a child actor. That’s why I can teach others.”

“Well, that’s…”

If we’re talking about effort, I’ve actually been doing it for over a decade too. Just in a different direction.

Literally to survive…

I suppose the slight difference is that acting was a situation where if you were caught, you’d be immediately dragged underground to be tortured, or shot in the head on the spot.

But since he couldn’t say that, Yeon-woo had no choice but to swallow his words this time too.

===

**

===

The next day, Yeon-woo called Team Leader Jung-hyuk.

– Oh, Yeon-woo, what’s the occasion for you to call me first?

“Team Leader, do you know about ‘ISAC’?”

– Come on, you’re making me feel old. Of course I know, even though we’re an actor agency. It’s the “Idol Star Athletics Championships,” isn’t it?

Yeon-woo, who had thought it was a university name when he first heard it from Dong-ha on the plane, broke out in a cold sweat.

‘Hmm, if you don’t know, you’re an old man…’

Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Yeon-woo cleared his throat.

“Ahem, Team Leader Jung. On my way back from the US, I received an offer from Dong-ha, a member of Axis. They want to recruit me as a mercenary for the futsal event at the ‘Idol Star Athletics Championships.'”

– Ah, is that so? What do you think, Yeon-woo?

“I think it’s fine. Sounds like it could be fun.”

In response to Yeon-woo’s words, Team Leader Jung-hyuk’s bright voice could be heard through the receiver.

– I was actually wondering what kind of variety show you should appear on, and this is an unexpected program. The best choice is the program you want to be on. From the company’s standpoint, there’s no problem at all.

“Is that so? That’s a relief. Then I’ll let Dong-ha know that I’ll be appearing.”

– Yes! I’ll keep that in mind. The program staff will probably contact the company, so I’ll take care of it.

At Team Leader Jung-hyuk’s words, Yeon-woo added:

“Ah, Team Leader. If they call to confirm the casting, could you set one condition?”

– I don’t know for sure, but if they can cast you, the PD over there will probably agree to almost any condition. What is it?

At Team Leader Jung’s words, Yeon-woo nodded and continued:

“Since variety show appearances are ultimately for fan service, I’d like to secure some audience tickets so my fans can attend.”

– Ah, that’s right. Understood!

After hanging up, Yeon-woo immediately called Dong-ha.

The ringtone played, and soon after, Dong-ha answered the phone.

– Oh! Yeon-woo hyung!

– Wow. This is amazing. Dong-ha, is that really actor Ryu Yeon-woo calling?

It seemed he was with the other members, as voices other than Dong-ha’s could be heard.

“Yeah. Dong-ha, what were you doing?”

– We were practicing since our comeback is coming up soon!

At Dong-ha’s words, Yeon-woo nodded.

‘Hmm, their comeback is coming up soon. Actors usually send coffee trucks, but is there something else I could do?’

Deciding to think about it later, Yeon-woo first mentioned the purpose of his call.

“Remember what we talked about last time?”

– Yes? Which conversation are you referring to?

“The futsal thing.”

– Ah! Yes!

Yeon-woo smiled as he continued.

“I talked with the company. I’m going to be your team’s mercenary.”

– Urgh!

– What? What’s going on? What did actor Ryu Yeon-woo say that surprised you?

Dong-ha’s scream and the curious voices of the other members could be heard through the receiver.

And soon after, Dong-ha’s voice, having regained his composure, was heard again.

– Hyung! Thank you so much! Really, truly!

“It’s nothing. I was thinking of appearing on a variety show for the fans anyway.”

===

**

===

“Yes! Hyung. Goodbye!”

After hanging up with Yeon-woo, Dong-ha jumped up and down on the spot.

“Hey, why are you making such a fuss? Let us know too!”

“Yeah, Dong-ha, what’s going on?”

Having come to his senses, Dong-ha shared the good news with the members.

“Well! On the flight back from America, I just asked Yeon-woo hyung without expecting much, you know?”

“Asked what?”

“About being our mercenary for ISAC!”

At Dong-ha’s words, the members’ expressions changed drastically.

“What? You asked actor Ryu Yeon-woo? To be our futsal mercenary?”

“…Really?”

In front of such members, Dong-ha grinned with a triumphant expression.

“He said he’ll do it. As our mercenary.”

“Woah!”

“No way! Really? ‘That actor Ryu Yeon-woo’ as our team’s mercenary?”

The members surrounded Dong-ha and spun around.

“Wooooah!”

“Dong-ha, you little rascal, you’ve done something incredible!”

“Hey, this is no time for this! Quickly call the manager and report it!”

Axis, in their fourth year since debut, weren’t exactly seniors in the idol world, but having all debuted at a young age, they knew this industry better than anyone.

That’s why the calculations in their heads were instantly completed.

With this, the rankings of ISAC became meaningless.

Even if they were eliminated from that event, the cameras would be focused on Ryu Yeon-woo and Axis while they were resting and watching.

That was Ryu Yeon-woo’s presence in the broadcast world right now.

A celebrity known to exist, but rarely seen on broadcasts.

“Hey, we need to be loyal to actor Ryu Yeon-woo for this.”

“Yeon-woo hyung is really a good person.”

Watching Dong-ha call Ryu Yeon-woo ‘Yeon-woo hyung’, the leader Do-jun looked on with envious eyes.

“I want to call him Yeon-woo hyung too.”

“Huh? But you’re the same age as Do-jun hyung?”

“If you’re handsome and successful, everyone’s a hyung.”

Meanwhile, it wasn’t just the Axis members who couldn’t believe this news.

“Excuse me, PD-nim. I think I might have misheard, so you should probably call directly.”

At the writer’s words, PD Kim Hang-gon looked up.

“What?”

“Well, we got a call from KN Entertainment, and they said that the mercenary for the Axis team participating in futsal this time is Ryu Yeon-woo…”

At the writer’s words, Kim Hang-gon chuckled.

“Ryu Yeon-woo? You mean the actor?”

“Yes.”

“What are you talking about? That doesn’t make sense. Did you mishear Yoo Jung-woo from B-EAST? They’re from the same agency too.”

At PD Kim Hang-gon’s words, the writer shook her head.

“I asked twice to make sure. If it was really that Ryu Yeon-woo.”

At this, PD Kim Hang-gon’s face turned serious.

“Call them and hand me the phone.”

As the writer dialed and handed over the phone, PD Kim Hang-gon asked:

“What’s the name of the person in charge?”

“Director Choi from KN.”

Just then, the call connected.

– Yes, writer-nim. I’ve answered the call.

“Director Choi, this is Kim Hang-gon.

– Ah, yes. PD Kim.

“Well, our writer was talking about actor Ryu Yeon-woo…”

Then, as if anticipating the reason for the call, an immediate answer came from the other end of the line.

– Yes, that’s correct. I was surprised too, but it is indeed that actor Ryu Yeon-woo. You should probably contact LN Entertainment first.

At the prompt confirmation, PD Kim Hang-gon was left dumbfounded.

“…Uh, yes. I understand for now.”

After hanging up, PD Kim Hang-gon looked at the writer with a bewildered expression.

“What in the world is going on?”