Top Star by Luck

Chapter 91

A passionate voice, unlike that of a typical news announcer, flowed from the TV speakers.

“[Yong Do Guk, one of the co-representatives of 3Y, is currently under fire for luring victims abroad with promises of debuting them, only to force them into what can only be described as a life of slavery.]”

It was just as they said.

3Y, the agency Kim Do Ha was affiliated with, had been reported to have committed similar crimes multiple times in the past.

‘They worked hard to erase the evidence, but in the end, they got caught.’

Lee Min Ki marveled softly.

Even though evidence had been collected and reported, not every person involved was caught.

Some investigations dragged on due to a lack of concrete ‘material evidence.’

However, it seemed that another informant had stepped forward.

That person was probably a victim like Bae Da Young.

“Wow, can you believe these people even breathe? Ugh.”

Trainer Kim Ah Sung muttered in disgust.

“Even that kind of trash probably gets to eat well in prison, huh? What a waste of my tax money.”

Kim Tak, who likely hadn’t even paid income tax yet, chimed in with his own complaint, his voice brimming with fury.

“At least they got caught now, that’s a relief.”

Lee Min Ki let out a small sigh of relief.

‘What goes around comes around. This is justice.’

People steeped in evil can only hide under the shadows of society for so long.

Once they’re exposed to the light and become visible to many eyes, they lose their power.

Because the evil deeds that covered them come into sharp, horrifying clarity.

‘Enjoy your prison meals.’

Lee Min Ki relished in a sense of schadenfreude.

“By the way, didn’t you stop Min Ki from going to the 3Y audition?”

Yoo Seon Ah poked him in the side.

Lee Min Ki, flustered, started coughing.

“Ah, yeah, I gave you some advice back then, didn’t I?”

“Didn’t you say there was something off about 3Y? Judging by what’s happening now… you knew all along, didn’t you?”

“…No way. That’s not it.”

Lee Min Ki let out an awkward chuckle.

Of course, he knew.

He knew that 3Y was a group of trash.

He knew that they had been committing crimes from the very beginning.

But he had to keep his knowledge hidden, even from Yoo Seon Ah, so he avoided saying too much.

As Lee Min Ki tried to change the subject, Yoo Seon Ah, finding it amusing, said with a grin.

“Min Ki, I thought you were good at acting, but maybe not.”

“…That’s because this isn’t acting.”

“Hmm.”

Yoo Seon Ah giggled softly and continued.

“If I had gone to that audition back then, I might’ve ended up like those people on the news. It seems like they were practically exporting hopefuls to China.”

“Yeah… pretty much.”

“So, does that make you my lifesaver, Min Ki? How should I repay you?”

Yoo Seon Ah mumbled playfully, as if she were giddy with excitement.

Kim Tak, overhearing, couldn’t resist jumping in.

“Wow, the perks of being a top actor! Min Ki, you hoard all the information to yourself. Don’t treat us like that. Are we even friends?”

What does he mean by ‘friends’?

Lee Min Ki swallowed his words and glanced to the side.

There, Trainer Kim Ah Sung was struggling to hold back laughter, almost to the point of bursting.

“Yeah, Min Ki, you should’ve told Seon Ah a little more clearly.”

Even he was joining in.

Even someone who knew the situation was poking fun.

No allies here.

As Lee Min Ki leaned to the side, sinking into a feeling of loneliness, Yoo Seon Ah, whose laughter had died down, spoke again.

“I’m just kidding. Seriously, though, thank you. You saved my life, Min Ki. I’ll repay you, little by little, from now on.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I’ll keep paying you back until I retire from acting.”

Instinctively, he could tell.

Within those exaggerated words was a pure sincerity far greater than a thousand thank-you notes.

Fully feeling that warmth, Lee Min Ki smiled gently, like a spring breeze.

“Then today’s meal is on you, Seon Ah.”

“…But I’m still just an aspiring actress. Buying Korean beef might be a bit much.”

* * *

A few days later.

In a large studio located in Ansan City.

Dozens of men were lined up along a white corridor.

Tension was running high.

Suddenly, a man called out loudly.

“Participant number 32, please enter.”

It was the voice of the audition staff calling for the next participant.

At the same time, a man stood up.

“Yes!”

It was none other than the man whose popularity had been skyrocketing lately.

‘Isn’t that Lee Min Ki?’

It was Lee Min Ki.

As he stood up, revealing himself, whispers immediately spread throughout the room.

“No way.”

“Why is Lee Min Ki here?”

“He’s been here since earlier.”

“We’re all doomed, aren’t we?”

Everyone gathered here was a professional actor.

But even among them, Lee Min Ki’s fame stood out.

Not only had he had back-to-back hits as a rookie actor, but…

Recently, there had been another incident that greatly improved his image.

[Kim Do Ha scandal: Lee Min Ki stood by the victims.]

Apparently, he had helped the victims.

In truth, he hadn’t done that much.

All he had done was give someone a band-aid.

But to the public, such details didn’t really matter.

[I really misjudged Lee Min Ki.]

[He’s kind to the bone.]

[Pure goodness.]

[Who carries around band-aids to a club? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[‘Here.’]

Just as bad rumors can spread quickly without specific details, so too can good ones.

Good rumors.

No matter how they’re exaggerated, they still spread as good news.

Lee Min Ki’s small act of kindness had snowballed, elevating him to the position of one of the few celebrities who had defended the victims.

[He’s like that one person in every class who always tries to help everyone. That’s Min Ki.]

[He’s like a character from a comic book.]

[Even when the photo got leaked, he held off on suing until the situation was clear, right?]

[Doesn’t JC do anything?]

[It was the actor’s request.]

Being kind isn’t such a special virtue, but in times like these, where selfishness dominates, it becomes a unique trait.

Especially when dark incidents like the Kim Do Ha scandal come to light.

Like a lone bright star in a black sky, the good stands out even more.

That was also the case with Lee Min Ki.

Anyway, Lee Min Ki was here today to participate in the audition for a new project.

The name of that project was…

[Fashion and Passion.]

It was the latest film by Director Hwang Ui Seong.

‘He was determined to shoot this after wrapping up the Kim Do Ha scandal.’

He had made that resolution, gritting his teeth.

But despite JC’s efforts, the process hadn’t gone smoothly.

Normally, for a rookie actor of Lee Min Ki’s caliber, he wouldn’t even need to audition and would go straight to filming.

[Please come to the audition.]

Director Hwang Ui Seong had refused to make an exception, insisting that Lee Min Ki audition under the same conditions as the other participants.

Not that it bothered him.

‘I actually like it better this way.’

That was so typical of Director Hwang Ui Seong.

By not casting him based on his name alone, it meant that the director wasn’t casting anyone else based on name value either.

As proof, there were several serious actors spotted at the audition venue.

“Participant number 32.”

“Yes!”

Lee Min Ki answered loudly and entered the room.

And then.

Just five seconds later.

The sight that greeted Lee Min Ki inside the audition room left him a little dumbfounded.

At the judges’ table.

Sitting at the center was Director Hwang Ui Seong, his eyes glaring sharply.

Next to him, however…

‘CEO Yoo Gyu Eon?’

Yoo Gyu Eon.

The CEO of the shopping mall that frequently collaborated with him on fashion projects, even back in his aspiring actor days.

“……”

Why was he here?

As Lee Min Ki stared in a daze, Yoo Gyu Eon awkwardly turned his head.

As if to say, ‘I have nothing to do with this.’

* * *

Inside the [Fashion and Passion] audition room.

Sitting next to Director Hwang Ui Seong, CEO Yoo Gyu Eon let out a bitter smile.

But only in his mind.

He had to hide any hint of favoritism.

‘I never expected things to turn out like this.’

About 15 meters ahead of him, a handsome man stood with a puzzled expression.

His head was small.

Not freakishly small like an alien, but just the right size to look good.

But the important thing wasn’t the size, it was the shape.

Lee Min Ki’s head shape was attractive no matter what style he wore.

And his broad shoulders, tapered waist, and long limbs.

Also, his proper posture.

He had a body that seemed born to wear clothes.

That’s right.

‘I had a feeling Min Ki would take an interest in a project like this someday.’

Lee Min Ki had applied for [Fashion and Passion], a project that Yoo Gyu Eon was advising on in terms of art direction.

It was pure coincidence, but Director Hwang Ui Seong

’s decision to consult with CEO Yoo was no accident.

[I hear you handle the trendiest clothes.]

He’d decided based on Yoo Gyu Eon’s clothing line.

At the same time, Yoo Gyu Eon’s mall, [YU], was enjoying a surge of popularity thanks to Lee Min Ki’s promotion.

Recently, investment and collaboration inquiries had been pouring in from everywhere.

It wasn’t unusual for a film studio to approach them for cooperation on a fashion-themed movie.

Of course, things were different when it came to Director Hwang Ui Seong.

‘But I can’t take this lightly.’

CEO Yoo Gyu Eon narrowed his eyes.

He was glad that Lee Min Ki had applied for [Fashion and Passion], but he had no intention of letting personal feelings affect the outcome.

His role in this audition was clear.

[CEO Yoo, please assess how well the participants can wear the clothes.]

He was here to evaluate how well the participants could wear the outfits.

Director Hwang Ui Seong would focus on the character and acting ability.

And the third judge was here to evaluate overall acting quality.

These three.

The participants would need high marks from all three to earn a leading role in [Fashion and Passion].

‘Min Ki, I appreciate everything you’ve done for our mall, but I’ll judge this fairly.’

As CEO Yoo Gyu Eon steeled his resolve, someone else was also firming up their determination.

‘I’m glad to see CEO Yoo here, but I hope there’s no bias in the judging.’

It was Lee Min Ki.

He had come to be evaluated directly by Director Hwang Ui Seong.

If favoritism played a part in the judging, that in itself would be disappointing.

“You can begin the performance. Start with the freestyle acting, please.”

“Yes.”

“We won’t give you a signal, so start when you’re ready.”

With the third judge’s words, Lee Min Ki took a deep breath.

For this freestyle performance, he had given a lot of thought to what kind of act would make him stand out in a movie like [Fashion and Passion].

Should he go for a stable performance?

Director Hwang Ui Seong was known as a cinephile, so should he pick something from one of the films the director had mentioned enjoying?

Should he opt for a provocative performance?

As an art director, perhaps the director would appreciate something avant-garde.

He had pondered endlessly.

He had even thoroughly analyzed the types of characters that Director Hwang Ui Seong might prefer.

‘Director Hwang likes characters with flaws.’

Perhaps it was due to his love for art.

He didn’t like perfect characters.

He preferred flawed ones, those that society might despise.

A loan shark.

A bike thief.

A pimp.

A gambling addict.

Throwing out a character that society hated, only to gradually immerse the audience in their story over the runtime.

That was the essence of Director Hwang Ui Seong’s style.

[Do I look like a troublemaker to you? From where I’m standing, you’re the real troublemaker. You won’t even buy anything. Why do you only think about yourself? This feels so unfair.]

This was a line that ran through one of his films.

From the very beginning, the way he viewed the world was fundamentally different from the norm.

And so, Lee Min Ki had come up with a character.

One that would fit perfectly.

‘One, two, three.’

A man without emotions.

No, a mannequin.

“……!”

Lee Min Ki began shifting his poses, one after another.

At an extremely rapid pace.