Chapter 89 – Reaction – Part 17

Chapter 89 – Reaction – Part 17

As Lee Hyerim sat down, the Media Dragon Deputy Manager smiled broadly. Then, looking at the open entrance, he said,

“Director Jo! Are you there? Come in. Come in and say hello.”

As Jo Jeonghwan came in, the Media Dragon Deputy Manager, Jo Jeonghwan’s senior, formally introduced him.

“You might not know her, but she’s the Synesthete Director.”

Jo Jeonghwan searched his mind for who she was and bowed slightly.

“Hello. I’m Jo Jeonghwan.”

However, no matter how hard he tried to remember, she was not a person in his memory.

But seeing his senior flustered, she seemed to be no ordinary person.

“Hello. I’m Lee Hyerim.”

As Lee Hyerim, who was standing, extended her hand, Jo Jeonghwan politely took her slender white hand.

His senior maintained a gentle smile and said,

“She’s the one making the biggest investment in our movie.”

Jo Jeonghwan’s pupils dilated more than before.

It was an unconscious reaction that occurs when a person needs to observe something they don’t understand.

It was to observe something that was not well understood by taking in more light.

And for good reason, Lee Hyerim did not look like she was even in her late twenties.

Her face looked like a university student, but there was something in her demeanor that made her unapproachable.

Jo Jeonghwan’s thoughts continued, one after another.

SH Future, an affiliate of Shinwha Group, is the biggest investor in Synesthete.

SH Future staff or organizer?

I met them, but I never saw a woman named Lee Hyerim at that time.

‘She’s the one who’s making the biggest investment in our movie.’

Considering what my senior said, she’s neither staff nor an organizer.

Is she from a rich family?

Or the daughter of the SH Future CEO?

Or…

A thought flashed through Jo Jeonghwan’s mind like a comb.

‘Does she want to appear in the movie?’

There were often investors who made huge investments to get their acquaintances into movies.

It was not unreasonable for Jo Jeonghwan to think this way.

This was because Lee Hyerim, as seen through Jo Jeonghwan’s eyes, had the appearance of a celebrity-level beauty and a chic yet sophisticated aura.

“This is the first time you two are meeting, isn’t it?”

At his senior’s words, Lee Hyerim lightly nodded.

“Yes. I’ve seen pictures, but this is my first time meeting you in person. Are we going to keep talking like this, standing up?”

His senior quickly waved his hand.

“Oh no, of course not… Please sit down. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“I’m fine.”

Lee Hyerim sat down with the two of them and spoke again.

“Is the filming progressing well?”

His senior put on a relaxed smile.

“Of course. It’s proceeding smoothly.”

Lee Hyerim raised her head and looked at him loosely.

He realized his mistake when he received her gaze.

“Is it also a smooth process that the actor playing the villain drove under the influence?”

It was because the investor would certainly know about that incident.

It was as good as treating the other party like a fool.

The senior colleague spoke with the biggest smile possible.

“Oh, about that. As you well know, there are many incidents and accidents during filming, right? We have enough time, so we’re looking for another actor.”

“Is there an actor who can take over?”

“Director Jo, the profile you gave earlier…”

The senior colleague’s brow furrowed.

It was because Jo Jeonghwan was secretly hiding the crumpled profile.

The senior colleague immediately printed the actor’s profile and showed it to Lee Hyerim.

“Actor Kim Jeonghyeon, you must know him. This actor is truly amazing at villainous acting.”

Lee Hyerim, who had been looking at the profile with a languid gaze, placed it on the table.

“I think there’s someone who would suit the role better than this person.”

The senior colleague’s eyes gleamed with curiosity.

Conversely, Jo Jeonghwan sighed inwardly.

If the big shot had picked an actor, they had no choice but to go with it.

You have to do what you’re told.

That’s how this industry is.

The contracts and promises with Woojin became meaningless at that moment.

Suddenly, strength returned to Jo Jeonghwan’s eyes, which had been tinged with futility.

He spoke up.

“There’s an actor called Unknown (Actor)…”

“Director Jo.”

The senior colleague’s expression hardened, and he cut off Jo Jeonghwan in a low voice.

The senior colleague smiled again and spoke to Lee Hyerim.

I’m curious what actor you have in mind.

A faint smile, recalling someone, touched her lips.

I think the same as Director Jo. Mr. Unknown Actor.

No…

The senior blinked, unable to bring himself to say no.

Having heard from Jo Jeonghwan, Unknown Actor knew his situation well, that he had no actor, no cheat sheet.

But SH Future pointed him out.

The senior cautiously spoke up.

Is Mr. Unknown Actor perhaps affiliated with SH Future?

SH Future was a company specializing in investment, distribution, and circulation, separate from celebrity entertainment.

However, seeing them push Unknown Actor, it seemed they were trying to expand into new ventures.

Naturally, Lee Hyerim lightly shook her head.

No. I just thought he would be suitable.

I also heard about Mr. Unknown Actor from Director Jo. If SH Future is pushing Mr. Unknown Actor, there’s nothing we can do, but I am indeed worried.

Lee Hyerim nodded, as if understanding his position, and opened her mouth.

I’m just telling you, just in case. SH Future isn’t pointing out Mr. Unknown Actor with the intention of fostering him.

Then why on earth…

Lee Hyerim looked out the window and spoke.

Because they hope Mr. Unknown Actor will elevate the film.

The senior, who had been silent for a moment, nodded.

It wasn’t a situation that would go his way just because he talked about this and that.

Alright.

Once the situation was neatly resolved, Lee Hyerim stood up.

Jo Jeonghwan stared at her in a daze.

She definitely knows Woojin.

Because if he didn’t know Woojin, he wouldn’t show such firm belief.

‘What in the world is your true identity…?’

He’s connected to important people, after all.

Lee Hyerim smiled sweetly at Jo Jeonghwan.

“Good luck.”

“Ah, yes.”

Lee Hyerim left, and the senior who had seen her off approached Jo Jeonghwan.

“The unknown actor or whatever. Let me see his face.”

Jo Jeonghwan scratched his cheek and replied.

“You can see him on set tomorrow.”

“No, right now.”

“He’s so busy today that he won’t even answer my calls.”

Although that wasn’t true, Jo Jeonghwan was already protecting Woojin’s identity.

“Senior, I also have things to take care of, so I’ll see you next time.”

“Hey!”

Jo Jeonghwan, who had hurriedly left the senior’s office, quickly approached Lee Hyerim, who was heading to the elevator.

“Excuse me.”

Lee Hyerim’s hair swayed as she turned her head.

For a moment, Jo Jeonghwan felt like he was watching a scene from a video.

It was like capturing the female lead in a full shot in a movie.

Normally, a one-candle unit of framing in a movie consists of 24 frames, but a lower unit of framing emphasizes the protagonist.

Just like that, Lee Hyerim seemed to be in a slow-motion scene.

If she were an actress, she would suit the innocent and delicate female lead in a melodrama, and conversely, she could also play a haughty and cold character.

“If you called me, you should speak.”

At her words, Jo Jeonghwan suddenly snapped out of his thoughts.

“Oh, the female lead, I mean, you know Mr. Shin Woojin, right?”

Lee Hyerim put a finger to her lips and rolled her eyes upwards as if remembering something.

“Shin Woojin… I don’t know. I know the Unknown Actor, though.”

“Ah…”

Lee Hyerim smiled subtly, and Jo Jeonghwan made a similar smile.

It was because, regardless of wealth and fame, she seemed to be involved with Woojin, much like himself.

But she really is pretty.

“By the way, have you ever thought about becoming an Actor?”

“I’m not interested in acting.”

***

The next day.

A van, the kind a Celebrity would drive, was parked a little distance from Woojin’s house.

The car didn’t budge for three hours.

“You’ve worked hard.”

At his words, the one in charge of makeup, Woojin looked at his face in a hand mirror.

“Oh my…”

His face had perfectly transformed into that of a person in their 40s.

When he squinted slightly, crow’s feet wrinkles naturally appeared.

Moving the muscles in various parts of his face, wrinkles that weren’t there before naturally appeared and disappeared.

“Are you going to put in the contact lenses now?”

“Yes.”

Woojin was able to put in the contact lenses he handed him without difficulty.

Looking in the mirror, his pupils and whites of his eyes were not well differentiated, making them cloudy.

“We’re departing.”

The car started and smoothly began to leave the neighborhood.

In the meantime, Woojin took a photo and sent it to Detective Kim Taehyun.

[Oh… Is that makeup?]

[Yes, do you recognize me?]

[My younger brother looks handsome even with makeup. You’ll probably look like this when you’re in your 40s. Are those contact lenses?]

Woojin nodded as if satisfied.

It was enough to just hide his current face.

The car drove for an hour and finally arrived at the filming location.

Woojin got out of the van and stepped into the old villa.

The staff members, who recognized Woojin’s face, greeted him.

“I didn’t recognize you.”

“Hahahaha! But you still look handsome.”

Just then, Jo Jeonghwan approached.

“Wow… Woojin, no, Mr. Unknown (Actor), I didn’t recognize you! You really look like you’re in your 40s. Hahahaha!”

“That’s a relief.”

Woojin began to examine the structure of the room.

As various filming equipment found its place, the dining table, kitchen, and various props were arranged to look like a bachelor’s home.

To emphasize that the character was visually impaired, the thresholds were removed.

“I met Lee Hyerim at Media Dragon yesterday. What’s your relationship?”

Jo Jeonghwan was very curious about that.

He thought they looked like a couple.

Because when Woojin’s name was mentioned, her expression seemed as warm as spring.

“She’s a friend.”

“Eh, I don’t think so…”

As Jo Jeonghwan squinted his eyes, Woojin just stared back at him.

Jo Jeonghwan awkwardly laughed and scratched his head.

“Oh, I just think the two of you look good together.”

“Mr. Unknown (Actor)?”

Woojin turned around at the sudden voice from behind him.

It was Jo Jeonghwan’s senior, the Deputy Manager of Media Dragon.

He scanned Woojin up and down and offered a handshake.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lee Hongmun from Media Dragon.”

Woojin politely took his hand.

“Hello. I’m Unknown (Actor).”

Lee Hongmun smiled.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. I was just wondering how old you are…”

His makeup was so well done that it was impossible to guess his age.

Woojin replied lightly.

“I don’t think age is important in acting.”

Despite Woojin’s evasive response, Lee Hongmun was not deterred.

“That’s not what I meant… We’re going to be like family now, so wouldn’t it be good to properly introduce ourselves?”

Both Lee Hyerim and Jo Jeonghwan, and even Unknown (Actor) in front of him, gave a very strong impression of trying to conceal something about themselves.

And Unknown (Actor) himself, too.

As Lee Hongmun waited for Woojin’s answer, Jo Jeonghwan called out while looking at the script.

“Mr. Unknown (Actor), about this stage direction here.”

As Woojin quickly disappeared to Jo Jeonghwan’s side, Lee Hongmun made a bewildered expression.

Then he crossed his arms.

He would find out eventually, and the reason he had come to the set today was to see his acting.

“Let’s see how good he is.”

If he didn’t meet expectations, he planned to try to persuade SH Future again.

And so, the standby process proceeded slowly, yet quickly.

The rehearsal was also lightly completed.

“We’re going to shoot. Everyone please get ready.”

Woojin sat in the living room in front of the TV.

The filming team, sound team, lighting team, and everyone in the room focused on Woojin.

Just as one corner of Woojin’s mouth turned up sharply,

the FD holding the slate said,

“Part 1. His House.”

Thwack!