The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Translator: Marctempest
Editor: Rynfinity

Chapter: 48

“―Puhaha! This is amazing! Ah, I wish I could see your face right now.”

I couldn’t hear a single word of Noh Bi-hyuk’s chattering voice in my ear.

All my attention was taken by an image sent by Noh Bi-hyuk.

It was a capture of an article that had been uploaded five minutes ago.

The title of the article was as follows:

‘A Captivating First Line from Actor Lee Yeon-jae that Draws Attention.’

…What’s so captivating about it?

“What the heck. Why are all these titles like this?”

The previous title was mild in comparison.

As I flipped through each image Noh Bi-hyuk had captured, my jaw dropped.

It seemed as if someone had fed the reporters en masse, as unfamiliar words they had never used before filled the screen.

Peculiar gaze, overwhelming atmosphere, extreme visuals… Extreme visuals? What even is that?

I had never seen such words before.

“―Isn’t it hilarious? I spent an hour capturing these because it was so funny, I didn’t even get bored.”

I’m not laughing.

With a serious expression, I flipped through each one until I finally turned it off at ‘Exceeded Handsomeness.’ I shouldn’t have looked.

“You sent fifty messages because of this? I thought something serious had happened.”

“―Did you actually worry about me? Sorry for not understanding your feelings….”

“I’m hanging up.”

“―Haha! Okay, okay. But make sure you check out the last article I sent. That one was well-written.”

I hung up the phone after giving a half-hearted response to his still laughing voice.

Check what? Ah, I shouldn’t have called. Now I’m completely drained of energy.

“Is he a friend of yours?”

“Yes, it’s Bi-hyuk. When did you talk to him? I heard from him that you told him I like that book.”

“There was that day when the teacher called you back. I was waiting for you, parked in front of the school gate, when he suddenly knocked on the window.”

“When I rolled down the window, he leaned on it casually and asked various questions about me.”

“He even asked for my number,” which made me burst out laughing. That’s just like him.

On my way home, I picked up two portions of the famous Baeksuk from a nearby place.

After filling my stomach with warm soup, I took a shower and was about to fall asleep when another message from Noh Bi-hyuk arrived.

[Did you see the article? Why aren’t you responding after reading it?]

[Hurry up and leave your thoughts (≧▽≦*)]

Ha, this guy is really persistent. He even used emoticons that match his personality.

I suddenly remembered Park Ha-eun’s words from before, “His eyes have turned. Just do it, it’s easier.”

Alright, let’s just check it quickly and get it over with.

With a sigh, I clicked the link that Noh Bi-hyuk had sent last.

* * *

**[Column] Are Stars Born? First Impressions of the Talk of the Town, Lee Yeon-jae**

The word star signifies a celestial body. We have encountered and loved countless stars throughout the years. The moments when stars are born are all different. Some actors spend decades in obscurity before gaining recognition with a single performance, while some idols capture audiences with their overwhelming stage presence from a young age. Not to mention athletes and influencers, the list of ‘shining’ individuals is endless.

Recently, there has been a debate over whether someone deserves the title of a star. This person is none other than the actor Lee Yeon-jae (age 13), who became more prominent than the main character as an extra in ‘Trace: Following the Tracks.’ He announced his debut as a child actor in MBN’s highly anticipated drama ‘Butterflies Burning on the Oak Tree’ after an unexpected casting as an extra. Not long after, news came out that he was recruited by ‘Woo-yeon Entertainment,’ the agency of actor Lee Jung-hyun. It seemed too well-orchestrated to be a coincidence, leading many to compare it to a scripted scenario. Today, I personally met him, who is surrounded by question marks.

From his first appearance, he was extraordinary. His attitude on stage as he was called and walked up was something you wouldn’t find in any rookie actor. The relaxed way he looked at the camera and his unreserved poses. That confidence continued during the interview. His composed expression and well-managed smile, no matter the question, evoked a peculiar sense of déjà vu. The feeling we have experienced from countless stars before.

Frankly, this event didn’t have enough impact to quell his rumors. There were no scenes where his acting could be properly evaluated from character videos or edited clips. Director Kim Min-seok of ‘Butterflies Burning on the Oak Tree’ stated, “He filmed with an ease that was hard to believe for a first-time actor,” but I couldn’t help but wonder if there were really such confident scenes, wouldn’t they have shown a bit of it?

However, regardless of doubts, I realized one thing. Whether it was a well-crafted scenario or mere coincidence, a star had indeed been born. Yes, a star was born. And a real star at that. We couldn’t take our eyes off Lee Yeon-jae as he listened to questions, nor could we divert our attention from him as he slowly responded. Although what he said wasn’t particularly remarkable, once it came from his mouth, we were at a loss for words.

Even those of us who live alongside stars found his ruthless charm unfamiliar and overwhelming. Today, I glimpsed someone’s innate talent. The authenticity of the scenario no longer mattered. The fact that a star had been born was felt by everyone there. Some might interpret my words as exaggeration or mere flattery. To verify my claims, watch the first episode when it airs.

Column/Contributor: PTN Reporter Kim Yeon-du

* * *

“Who is this? Kim Yeon-du? I’ve never heard that name before.”

“Looks like a new recruit. The tone is exactly PTN standard. Seems like they were trained not too long ago.”

“I’ve never seen PTN write something like this since I joined…. Ugh, I can’t get used to it.”

The PR team at Woo-yeon Entertainment was abuzz.

Lee Yeon-jae, whom they had recently recruited, was the person the PR team was most focused on.

Firstly, CEO Jang Woo-yeon was directly involved, and Lee Jung-hyun had even visited, carrying coffee and desserts, to ask them to take good care of Yeon-jae.

“What’s the response like?”

“It’s very polarizing. Some people are excited, while others think we paid for it.”

The ‘Lee Yeon-jae controversy’ that had started with a cleverly crafted article was starting to die down.

The PTN column had reignited the almost extinguished flames.

PTN was known for its brutally honest celebrity articles.

Being a well-known newspaper even among the general public, it became a hot topic.

The column quickly spread across various social media platforms and communities, increasing the buzz far beyond what Wuyeon had managed with their efforts.

The reactions were divided into two camps.

One side thought, ‘If even PTN says this, there must be something real,’ while the other side thought, ‘If they are paying PTN, they must have a very solid backing.’

In fact, since Wuyeon Entertainment had not contacted PTN at all, the situation was even more puzzling.

“Because of PTN, the part where PD Kim mentioned that he held an official audition is now overlooked.”

“It doesn’t matter. Those who want to criticize will still say the PD was bribed.”

In response to the staff’s worried tone, Min, the head of the PR team, answered leisurely.

“Honestly, in my 20+ years in this field, this is the first time I’ve seen a case like this.”

Min chuckled, releasing a sigh.

The staff were all highly skilled, given that they were from a place crowded with top-tier actors.

Since it was a direct order from CEO Jang, they worked meticulously and believed their efforts were paying off.

But they never expected the dwindling issue to reignite like this.

Who would have thought that PTN, not even a partner, would independently write such an article?

‘Could it be that he really has strong backing?’

Although Min knew better than anyone that this wasn’t the case, it was still unbelievable.

Do people know how hard it is to promote a celebrity?

Even the most beautiful and handsome people sometimes don’t make it for no reason in this industry.

No matter how many articles are published, how many community posts are created, and how many marketing meetings are held, those who aren’t meant to rise simply never will.

Who could have predicted that a minor actor with only extra roles would become such a hot topic after a few articles?

People were taking sides and arguing over a young actor who wasn’t even in middle school yet and had only appeared as an extra.

Some argued that he was a rare handsome talent and criticized others for trying to ruin his potential, while others countered that good acting, not looks, is what matters in an actor. They went as far as saying that if looks were everything, they might as well declare Lee Yeon-jae as Korea’s future. And there were those who claimed it was premature to judge his acting skills since nothing substantial had been shown yet.

At this point, was Lee Yeon-jae just being used?

The actual person might not have any thoughts, but SNS and communities were in an uproar. It made sense because―

“But how can a kid look like this? What will he do when he grows up?”

“I don’t think he’ll have an awkward phase

at seventeen.”

Although the response was hotter than during their initial efforts, the overall mood was much more positive.

Because the photos that journalists frantically took during the production announcement were true works of art.

The official profile photos uploaded on portal sites at the same time also became a hot topic.

Min stared at the screen on the employee’s laptop showing Lee Yeon-jae.

A photo of a young boy quietly looking at the camera.

“…He is indeed stunning.”

“Right? This kind of face doesn’t depend on personal taste. People around me are already asking for his autograph.”

The employee shrugged his shoulders, excited by the agreement.

In fact, people who weren’t into entertainment didn’t know the detailed inside story and were just amazed by the photos circulating on SNS.

‘Does a kid this handsome exist? Ah, he’s the one with the yellow hat? He’s going to be in a drama soon?’ That’s how things were unfolding.

They were riding the wave perfectly.

“Being good-looking is the best….”

Min nodded at another employee’s soliloquy.

Absolutely, in Korea, being handsome or pretty was the best.

Although it didn’t guarantee success, which was the dilemma. In that sense, maybe stars really are born.

“Isn’t this level of uproar beyond our plans?”

“At this rate, no matter how well he acts, there will be backlash.”

The employees whispered anxiously, and Min shook his head firmly.

“The CEO told us not to worry about that part. We just need to do our job. Come on! Let’s get back to work.”

With a light clap from Min, the gathered employees dispersed back to their places.

As Min sat leisurely in his chair, he looked at Lee Yeon-jae’s profile picture again.

For some reason, he kept being drawn to it. It didn’t seem to be just because of his looks.

‘Can he really act that well?’

Thinking of CEO Jang’s confident face, Min shrugged.

We are just salaried employees, we do as we are told. Let’s just work.

…Still, I am a bit curious.

* * *

And finally, on the much-anticipated Wednesday, the first episode of ‘Butterflies Burning on the Oak Tree’ aired.

A woman who had become a fan of Lee Yeon-jae from ‘Trace: Following the Tracks’ eagerly waited for the broadcast.

She had even pushed aside her brother, who had something else he wanted to watch.

Considering he was a supporting child actor, Lee Yeon-jae’s screen time in the teaser was too short.

The message ‘If you’re so curious, watch the live broadcast^^.’ was way too noticeable. Did they lower the transparency too much?

‘I don’t even remember the last time I made sure to catch a drama live.’

This better be worth the anticipation. The woman’s eyes sparkled brightly.

And after 60 minutes, tears were streaming down her face.

“Yeon-jae!!! From now on, I’m your mother!!!!!”

The moment she was sure her judgment wasn’t wrong, she felt a thrill that only a true fan could understand.