Top Star by Luck

Chapter 97

Do you know what a “company” means?

In the military, it typically refers to a group of soldiers, but in the film industry, it has a slightly different meaning.

[Steve O’Dawson Company]

[No Ho Yeon Company]

[Yang Cha Ok Company]

These were groups of people who had worked under a specific director for a long time, often referred to as a “company.”

Directors.

Writers.

Lighting.

CG, costumes.

Including the cast.

And.

Among the most famous companies in the country was:

‘Of course, the Hwang Ui Seong Company.’

Centered around Director Hwang Ui Seong, this company had that reputation.

‘Amazing. Every member is a big shot. The average is at a professor level.’

Lee Min Ki surveyed the faces of the company members gathered in the script reading room with a look of awe.

‘This is indeed the best company in the country.’

He was right.

The Hwang Ui Seong Company was made up of the best talents in the country.

Was it because they were paid a lot?

No.

Anyone capable of joining the Hwang Ui Seong Company could get better treatment anywhere in the country and even enter Hollywood.

Then, was it because of Hwang Ui Seong’s character or reputation?

No.

His character was suffocatingly tough.

Just making eye contact with him was exhausting, and speaking with him made you want to leave.

His career?

He had an impressive career, but that didn’t elevate the reputations of those working under him.

So why was the Hwang Ui Seong Company held in such high regard?

The reason was simple.

‘They are people crazy about creating one great work.’

They only cared about the quality of the work.

No matter how difficult the director was, they came together under the belief that as long as the film turned out well, it was worth it.

For them, working on Hwang Ui Seong’s films was like making the projects they themselves wanted to create.

[We’ll break through to the Academy Awards with this one.]

Most of them had this level of determination.

This was because they believed that Director Hwang Ui Seong could create the best film in the country.

And.

Ironically, this time, Lee Min Ki was also one of them.

“Hello. I’m actor Lee Min Ki. It’s an honor to be part of a project directed by the esteemed Hwang Ui Seong. If there’s anything lacking, I look forward to your stern guidance.”

When Lee Min Ki offered a soft smile and politely bowed his head, the atmosphere in the script reading room became slightly more gentle.

There were many picky individuals, but not as difficult as Hwang Ui Seong himself.

‘I thought he’d act all high and mighty since he’s been in back-to-back hit films, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.’

‘Wasn’t there some issue with Kim Do Ha? Was it just a rumor?’

‘A young guy like him falling for a director as eccentric as Hwang… Tsk tsk.’

Some looked at him with approval.

Some with doubt.

And some with pity.

But within all those gazes, there was one common emotion.

‘How good is he?’

Curiosity.

Lee Min Ki’s reputation as an actor was slowly spreading within the industry.

In [Campus Story], he showed potential.

In [Forever Green], he demonstrated a level of skill uncommon for a rookie.

In [Café del Dia], he displayed his ability to carry a film.

So, what kind of performance would he show in [Fashion and Fashion]?

‘It won’t be easy.’

He had already checked the difficulty of the script.

It was top-notch.

There wasn’t a more difficult role… no, it was rare to find a more challenging one, to the point that it could be considered a terrifying demand.

‘Alright, let’s see what you’ve got.’

At the moment when the anticipation in the room was so thick it could pierce the ceiling of the meeting room.

“Let’s start with Scene 3 first.”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

With Director Hwang Ui Seong’s voice, the two actors responded simultaneously.

One of them was Lee Min Ki, and the other was…

‘Actor Kang Se Hwang.’

It was Kang Se Hwang.

Often called a “master supporting actor” within the Hwang Ui Seong Company.

Despite having an unremarkable appearance, he was purely acknowledged for his acting ability.

For an actor, being labeled a “talented actor” is almost an insult.

An actor’s job is to act well, after all.

However, if there was anyone who deserved the term “talented actor,” it was Kang Se Hwang.

“Ah, ah.”

He opened his mouth.

“Have you ever thought about modeling?”

“Modeling?”

“I’m from a shopping mall nearby. You just need to come out for an hour or two a day and pose. Click, click. Doesn’t that sound cool?”

It was the scene where the protagonist, [Lee Jong Ho], was being scouted by a modeling agency employee, [No Young Hoon].

Even with such a short line, Lee Min Ki’s nerves were on edge.

‘As expected of Kang Se Hwang.’

The veteran’s experience conveyed in his acting was on another level.

“You attend the school nearby, right? You must have done well in your studies. Here’s my card. As a student, you’ll need pocket money. You should earn money and hang out with your friends.”

Even with just a short line, it was clear.

Kang Se Hwang’s acting ability had already reached a level of mastery.

In fact, Lee Min Ki had already experienced script readings with skilled actors several times.

When filming [Forever Green], weren’t actors like Kang Do Won and Choi Yoo Chang in the same league?

Both were outstanding actors who could easily be considered among Korea’s best.

But Kang Se Hwang was different.

“You seem to have a great style. You like clothes, right?”

How should he describe it?

‘He doesn’t show off how good he is.’

He was just endlessly natural.

It was as if the character from the film had walked into reality.

Like you were playing a soundtrack of the scene, mechanically removing any sense of incongruity.

And that was what made it terrifying.

Kang Do Won’s acting was solid, like a rock.

[Don’t answer. I’d prefer if you didn’t.]

Choi Yoo Chang’s acting exuded warmth and humanity.

[Aigo! Boss, why did you give me so much!]

Both actors clearly embodied their characters.

The character seemed to arise naturally from who they were as people, and it was richly embedded in their performances.

In this regard, there was a way to counteract their performances.

You could simply match the character of your role and blend in with theirs.

But Kang Se Hwang’s acting was different.

‘It’s uncomfortable.’

He had no weaknesses, and that was what made it so frustrating.

Rather than overwhelming you with his strengths, he left you feeling inadequate because of his lack of weaknesses.

No matter how soft your hair, it pales in comparison to mink fur.

‘The world is truly vast. I knew Actor Kang Se Hwang was good, but I didn’t expect him to be this exceptional.’

Was this the level of the best supporting actors?

With only three seconds left before it was his turn, Lee Min Ki let out a chuckle inside.

It was unsettling.

But that’s what made it interesting.

‘This is how you improve.’

By the time this project was over, he would have something to gain as well.

Back to the point—how could he beat his counterpart?

There were two options.

Either match his level with equally polished performance or leverage one overwhelming advantage.

There was no need to think further.

When faced with these two choices, Lee Min Ki’s decision was clear.

“How much do they pay models?”

It was character.

* * *

“…!”

Lee Min Ki opened his mouth.

With just that one line, the entire script reading room collectively gasped, and he continued speaking in an emotionless voice.

“Money.”

At that, Kang Se Hwang’s voice trembled slightly as he responded.

“Oh? Uh, they pay a lot.”

He was visibly shaken.

But the trembling felt so natural, it seemed like he was surprised by Lee Min Ki’s acting.

In reality, it was simply part of his own script reading.

And.

‘His guard is solid.’

No one knew this better than Lee Min Ki.

Having watched at least 20 of Kang Se Hwang’s works, he had perfectly absorbed every subtle nuance.

“Forget it. How much are they paying?”

It was a short line.

He was merely responding to the suggestion of modeling by asking how much money they would pay.

But within that voice, the character was condensed to an extreme.

‘He really only cares about money.’

‘How off-putting.’

In his emotionless, mannequin-like delivery, the only feeling that gleamed was his desperate need for money.

It was fully realized.

Instead of overdoing it as a rookie might, it was remarkably restrained.

Like how Michael Jackson’s genius was revealed in his pauses rather than his movements.

In Lee Min Ki’s performance, the beauty of restraint emerged like a crescent moon shyly peeking from behind night clouds.

‘Wow.’

Smiles crept across the faces of the staff surrounding the script reading room.

‘He’s the real deal.’

‘To respond to Actor Kang Se Hwang’s acting like this? Without even flinching?’

‘This is fun. The details are alive.’

It was ironic.

Lee Min Ki’s voice remained devoid of emotion.

As cold and impassive as a mannequin stripped of feeling.

No, lukewarm.

But in that subtle gap, he managed to evoke depth.

Kang Se Hwang, with a genuinely natural smile, softly opened his mouth.

“Our friend, when

you start with money, it feels a bit off for an older guy like me.”

“Then I won’t do it.”

“Why not stop by the office and at least listen?”

“…”

“Hey, forget it, forget it. You don’t have to do it. Plenty of others are waiting.”

“Yes.”

“…Oh, geez.”

It was like a fortress.

This was the core of Lee Min Ki’s performance.

The reason his acting proved more effective than expected was due to several factors.

It came from thorough input.

Not just from his work, but from life itself.

‘I got scammed once, too.’

The kind of person naive enough to get swindled.

That was the kind of life Lee Min Ki had lived.

After failing and failing to debut, and reaching a cliff as a person, he fell prey to a con artist.

He signed the contract in a state of desperation.

He knew well the heart of someone who had nothing left to lose.

Lee Min Ki was simply recalling the emotions he had felt during those times.

People who are truly wounded don’t show it.

The pain simply seeps out of them.

‘Lee Jong Ho is me. A version of me with a slightly more unfortunate life.’

Lee Min Ki delved deep into himself and opened his mouth.

“Enough to pay hospital bills?”

“Hospital bills? What hospital bills?”

“My dad’s sick. The hospital told us to leave.”

With that final line, Scene 3 came to an end.

The script reading had lasted less than two minutes.

But before and after that, the way people looked at Lee Min Ki had clearly changed.

‘He’s not just some rookie.’

Lee Min Ki was different.

What should they call it?

‘He has a unique flavor.’

That’s right.

He was special.

In this industry, where few shone so brightly, there was a unique sparkle embedded in his acting.

Even Kang Se Hwang couldn’t help but smile warmly without realizing it.

‘If all rookie actors these days were this good, I might have to retire tomorrow.’

He was impressed by his junior.

Kang Se Hwang had only achieved such mastery in his forties, and yet here was a rookie in his mid-to-late twenties displaying it.

When he saw Kim Do Ha, he thought the future of the industry was ruined, but looking at Lee Min Ki, it seemed there was still hope.

A spark that might become a sun in the near future.

“Wow, Lee Min Ki’s really good.”

Someone instinctively muttered at that moment.

“Thank you!”

In that instant, Lee Min Ki’s bright, lively voice rang out, as if he had become a completely different person.

At that moment, everyone in the script reading room flinched at the overwhelming gap between the actor in front of them and the one who had been performing just moments ago.

“Let’s move on to Scene 4. Stand up.”

By then, Director Hwang Ui Seong’s next instruction had already come.

This time, it was a solo performance for Lee Min Ki.

And.

‘The director smiled again.’

Only Director Kim had noticed once more that Hwang Ui Seong had cracked a smile.