How a Loan Shark Survives as an Actor Chapter 147

Chapter 147

 

“What time did Yoo Seulho say he’d be here?”

At the variety show’s production office, the PD’s question earned him a tired look from one of the writers.

“Two o’clock.”

“Ugh… I’m already uncomfortable.”

The PD rubbed the pit of his stomach as though he’d come down with indigestion.

The writer looked at him like he was pathetic.

“You should’ve wrapped this up a long time ago. Today’s going to be your third meeting with him, and you still haven’t made up your mind? Does that even make sense?”

“Hey! Do you know how big this project is? What’s wrong with taking only three meetings?”

“If we were auditioning James Bond, I’d understand. But this is just a variety show. Quit acting like it’s some massive production.”

“…Whose side are you on?”

The PD shot her a glare, but the writer remained unfazed.

As one of the founding members of the production company, she wasn’t in a position where she had to bow and scrape before the PD.

“I’m not on anyone’s side. I’m saying we should get rid of the things that need getting rid of before filming starts.”

The studio would be finished soon.

There wasn’t much time left before filming.

The variety show, which had originally carried the working title Reputation, had finally received its official name.

“Bluff: Trust No One”

In card games like poker, a bluff is when you bet aggressively despite holding a weak hand to deceive your opponent.

It means winning the game by fooling others through your actions, even though your cards are actually terrible.

Of course, pretending to have a weak hand despite holding an excellent one, making your opponent lower their guard, also counts as bluffing.

‘The title tells you right away that psychological warfare is the core of the show.’

Whether it was a battle of wits or psychological manipulation, the winner was ultimately the one who was smarter and quicker on the uptake.

Which was precisely why PD Lee wasn’t very enthusiastic about Yoo Seulho.

“What do you think about Yoo Seulho? Think he’ll be okay?”

“How many times do I have to tell you? I’m in favor.”

“Yeah, but why? It’s not like he has an intelligent image.”

The writer shrugged.

“If everyone you cast is smart, it’ll be boring. You need someone who’s nice to look at too.”

Even from the way she said it, it was obvious her expectations of Yoo Seulho weren’t particularly high.

“When did I ever recommend Yoo Seulho because he’s smart? I’m just saying we need one handsome actor to make the lineup look good.”

“There are plenty of handsome actors. Did he even go to college? What if he can’t understand the rules and ruins the atmosphere?”

“That’s what editing is for. Don’t try to take shortcuts.”

“Ahem.”

Unable to refute a single word, the PD quietly looked away.

It was the same spineless behavior she saw from him all the time.

But today, it seemed especially bad.

“Why are you hesitating so much? From what I saw during the last meeting, he seemed perfectly decent.”

If they truly needed a once-in-a-generation genius, she’d understand.

But they weren’t filming a documentary.

In a variety show, it was more important to have supporting characters who could make the “smart” contestants look smart.

‘Disposable characters whose only job is to stare at the protagonist in awe.’

Was Yoo Seulho really someone worth agonizing over this much for a role like that?

The writer’s question made the PD scratch his head.

“Good question. Why am I like this? Maybe it’s because his old negative image stuck with me.”

“Celebrities’ public images change every other day. What’s the problem? He’s one of the hottest actors right now.”

She pointed out that few actors were as free from controversy as Yoo Seulho.

That also meant there was little chance he’d cause trouble before the show aired.

“You know this too, PD. If a scandal breaks out after filming finishes, it’s the editing team that suffers.”

“If editing could actually solve it, we’d be lucky. But if that contestant has a lot of screen time… Whew. Just imagining it gives me chills.”

“Exactly. So make your decision already. We settle this today.”

The PD nodded.

“You’re right.”

Even he admitted he’d dragged this out far too long.

Of course… It wasn’t as though he was intimidated by Yoo Seulho.

‘Things like this happen! Do you know who I am?!’

He was Lee Heeseop, the star PD nicknamed “The God of Survival Variety Shows.”

Some viewers watched anything simply because Lee Heeseop was producing it.

And now… He’d partnered with the world’s largest OTT platform, NetXlix.

‘This could become a chance to attract attention from all over the world.’

The biggest advantage of NetXlix wasn’t simply overseas distribution.

Even an unknown entertainer could become an overnight Hallyu star.

Naturally, countless people wanted a seat on this show.

‘Filming really isn’t far away anymore.’

The moment his proposal had been approved, PD Lee had immediately begun constructing a massive studio.

The major players, the contestants who would dominate the games, had all been cast last year.

Only the supporting participants remained.

‘I’m tired of thinking about it.’

I’ll just go with Yoo Seulho.

If someone as patient as Yoo Seulho had gone so far as to request another face-to-face meeting after quietly waiting for months… Then he’d probably reached the end of his patience.

Even for a star PD, telling someone like that, “I need more time to think,” felt wrong.

‘I should probably smooth things over.’

PD Lee assumed Yoo Seulho would arrive in a foul mood.

Thinking about that only made the pressure in his chest worse.

Over the years, he’d worked with countless actors.

There was no group prouder or more full of themselves.

‘There are countless people who could replace Yoo Seulho.’

The thought of having to appease someone who probably didn’t even realize that already felt exhausting.

‘Sigh…’

Still, the decision had already been made.

He’d just calm him down once and get it over with.

However… When Yoo Seulho finally arrived at the production office at exactly two in the afternoon…

“Hello~ I brought coffee.”

His expression couldn’t have been brighter.

He and his manager were carrying enough coffee for every employee, and then some.

“Wow, Mr. Seulho~! Thank you!”

“Writer Jihye, you don’t drink coffee, right? Here’s a strawberry smoothie.”

“Ah! That’s right. Thank you…”

He even remembered everyone’s individual preferences.

The staff cheered at his thoughtfulness.

And at the same time, they all reached the same conclusion.

‘Oh… he’s not here to pick a fight?’

If anything… Yoo Seulho looked like he’d come to make a good impression.

‘Thank goodness. No awkward confrontation.’

Smiling, the PD guided him to a seat.

He was just about to slowly ease into the conversation and tell him he’d been officially cast.

Then…

“Still haven’t found one?”

“…Pardon?”

Yoo Seulho suddenly asked something completely out of left field.

The PD tilted his head in confusion.

Yoo Seulho smiled even more brightly.

“A reason not to cast me.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Of course there’s no particular reason to cast me. But you haven’t found a reason not to cast me either. That’s why you’ve been unable to reach a decision until now, isn’t it?”

His gentle, flowing words carried a hidden sting.

“Ah… haha… well…”

The PD awkwardly searched for the right words.

“I’m sorry. You’ve been waiting a long time, haven’t you? I was actually just about to call you when you contacted me first.”

He rambled on with one excuse after another.

Watching him apologize for not telling Yoo Seulho sooner… made him look utterly spineless.

‘Tsk. I knew it’d end up like this.’

The staff beside him clicked their tongues inwardly.

Until Yoo Seulho had arrived, Lee Heeseop had been swaggering around saying, “No matter how popular he is, I’m still the star PD!”

Now that swagger had completely vanished.

Seeing him reduced to such a pitiful sight made the staff look at him even more coldly.

But PD Lee felt wronged.

‘You people try talking to him yourselves!’

Even he knew someone with his career didn’t need to tremble before Yoo Seulho.

But the moment he stood in front of that face… His confidence shrank on its own.

Yoo Seulho was publicly known as a cheerful, smiling celebrity.

Yet in person… He felt unexpectedly cold.

Difficult.

Even now, he was smiling.

But somehow… It felt like he might suddenly pull a hammer out from somewhere and smash PD Lee over the head.

Of course, Yoo Seulho wasn’t a gangster.

He was an actor raised in a greenhouse.

Surely he’d never actually do such a thing.

Still… That was how strangely intimidating he felt.

“I see.”

Even after hearing he’d been officially selected… Yoo Seulho showed no particular reaction.

He simply smiled throughout and said he was relieved.

“I was worried you might need even more time to think. I’ve already been cast in a drama, so I wanted to let you know beforehand in case the schedules overlapped.”

“Oh? Really?”

The PD’s brain immediately began racing.

‘I’d heard he’d been doing well lately… but this well?’

Everyone in the industry knew Yoo Seulho had filmed two movies simultaneously during the latter half of last year.

But it had only just become January.

And he was already joining another project?

‘It’s not like he has multiple bodies.’

He’s impressive.

Trying to lighten the mood, the PD wished him success with the new project as well.

Yoo Seulho smiled bashfully.

“Thank you. I need to do well so I don’t end up holding Writer Koo Nahee back.”

“…Writer Koo Nahee?”

The PD froze.

Every employee in the meeting room widened their eyes.

That Koo Nahee?

The famously impossible-to-please Koo Nahee?

“Wow… that’s incredible. You’re joining Writer Koo’s comeback project…”

Seriously?

Yoo Seulho was operating at that level now?

The unexpected revelation sent the PD’s thoughts spinning.

Of course, even if Yoo Seulho had joined a Koo Nahee drama… He surely couldn’t have landed the lead role.

‘At best, he’s probably a supporting lead… maybe the second male lead.’

Even so… Just appearing in one of Koo Nahee’s works elevated Yoo Seulho’s status.

‘Good thing we chose him.’

Just as that thought crossed his mind… Yoo Seulho accidentally let slip another bombshell.

“What? Y-you got the leading role?”

“Ah.”

Yoo Seulho looked like he’d realized his mistake.

His eyes shook exactly like someone who’d accidentally revealed a secret.

“Oh no… That’s actually confidential. Could you all keep it between us?”

“Y-Yes! Of course. But… really? You’re the lead?”

“I got lucky.”

Yoo Seulho gave an embarrassed smile.

At that moment… The writer and the PD exchanged looks.

‘What are you doing, PD? Get on your knees and beg.’

‘…Yeah.’

The PD immediately changed his attitude.

Laughing heartily, he said,

“Looks like this year’s going to be your year too, Mr. Seulho! The lead in Writer Koo Nahee’s drama! Please take good care of our variety show as well!”

“That’s what I should be saying.”

Fortunately… Yoo Seulho responded politely despite the PD’s sudden flattery.

The PD felt genuine relief.

‘Thank goodness we confirmed the casting before he got angry.’

Then…

“I know.”

Yoo Seulho murmured in a bittersweet voice.

“You weren’t expecting much from me.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’m just the contestant who’s there to fill the airtime, right? A useless character who can be eliminated in the first round without affecting anything.”

“Ah…”

The words hit the mark so perfectly that the PD missed the chance to deny them.

By the time he came to his senses and hurriedly tried to protest…

“But I actually prefer it that way.”

Yoo Seulho smiled brightly as he said something deeply meaningful.

“Isn’t it much more fun when the contestant nobody expected ends up winning?”

“…”

For a brief moment… The PD’s expression went blank.

‘The cameras haven’t even started rolling yet…’

And yet… Yoo Seulho had already begun bluffing… against the PD himself.

It was the opening shot that signaled the beginning of the game.