How a Loan Shark Survives as an Actor Chapter 148

Chapter 148

 

PD Lee was left speechless.

‘He doesn’t even know the title yet, and he’s already…’

Up until now, the only information they’d given prospective contestants was that it was a “survival variety show centered around a battle of wits.”

The fact that the show’s true focus wasn’t intelligence but psychological warfare was information that hadn’t been revealed outside the production team yet.

Of course, Yoo Seulho might have been simply the type who bluffed all the time.

Or maybe his pride had been hurt, so he was just putting on a brave face.

But seeing, right before his eyes, the exact kind of scene he’d hoped the show would produce… left him momentarily stunned.

“I’ll do my very best, PD.”

Yoo Seulho simply continued smiling as if nothing had happened.

The PD awkwardly smiled back, but there had been something distinctly unusual about the look in Yoo Seulho’s eyes just now.

“Then please contact my agency so we can coordinate the schedule.”

“Y-Yes. Take care on your way.”

Just before leaving, Yoo Seulho politely bowed.

Just like when he’d arrived, he remained bright, courteous, and flawlessly well-mannered.

Only after he’d completely disappeared did the PD finally let out the breath he’d been holding.

“Whew… That felt strange.”

He didn’t want to exaggerate.

But somehow, a chill had run down his spine.

How should he describe it?

Creepy?

Chilling?

‘Why does it feel like I was the one being interviewed?’

Honestly, Yoo Seulho’s words themselves weren’t particularly significant.

They had simply fit the show’s title so perfectly that they’d left a strong impression.

Taken on their own, they were perfectly ordinary.

But… The look in his eyes when he’d said them… For a brief instant, it had completely overwhelmed PD Lee.

“Ha…”

The PD shook his head.

“Get yourself together and get back to work.”

Whether that had merely been a bluff… or the real thing… would become clear once filming began.

Trying to shake off what he’d just witnessed, he dusted himself off as though physically brushing away the lingering feeling.

 

***

 

‘It’s finally settled.’

At last, my casting for the variety show was confirmed.

The related articles were published.

People who saw Yoo Seulho’s name in the lineup reacted with confusion.

 

➝ ???? Yoo Seulho in a brain-survival show??

➝ I didn’t think Lee Heeseop was this kind of person, but I guess he’s chasing fandom ratings after all…ㅠ Do Yoo Seulho fans really raise ratings that much?

↳ Come on. You think Lee Heeseop cast him without thinking? I’ll trust him.

➝ Well, I’ll watch for the visuals at least ^^ My eyes should have a good time.

 

Those comments didn’t bother me much.

‘It’s better for me if nobody expects anything.’

Even if I got eliminated immediately without accomplishing anything… People would simply shrug and say,

“Well, that’s what we expected.”

‘How can people be disappointed if they weren’t expecting anything in the first place?’

Everything I’d told the production team had been sincere.

If I became an unexpected dark horse… Wouldn’t that make the payoff even more entertaining?

‘I’ll know once filming starts.’

I had plenty of time to worry after that.

Thinking about it now wouldn’t help in the slightest.

 

***

 

Afterward, I went to the company and received a more detailed explanation about filming.

“The entire thing will be an eight-day, seven-night group stay.”

“So it’ll be filmed continuously during those eight days? No breaks?”

“That’s right. You’ve watched all of Lee Heeseop’s previous survival shows, haven’t you?”

“I have.”

“Didn’t you find it strange? Like… why are they getting so emotional? There are scenes where you wonder, ‘Is this really something worth crying over?'”

When I nodded, Team Leader Ahn shrugged.

“Don’t get too confident. Once you’re inside that environment, you could end up the same way.”

According to him, one of PD Lee Heeseop’s rules was that all contestants surrendered their phones before filming began.

All contact with the outside world would be completely cut off.

They wouldn’t even be allowed to meet their managers, let alone their families.

“Unless one of your parents dies or something equally serious happens, filming won’t stop.”

“Oh.”

“Imagine being trapped in a closed space while cameras film you twenty-four hours a day. Even mentally strong people eventually crack. I’d bet everyone will become incredibly sensitive within two days.”

“I’ll prepare myself.”

“There’s still some time before filming. Train your mentality. You absolutely cannot let your emotions control you in there.”

I nodded earnestly when he warned me that being labeled an unlikable contestant on a survival show could seriously damage my career.

I had no intention of going on a variety show to gain something… only to come back having lost even more.

“Then what’s my schedule for this year?”

“Late January, the press conference. Late February, promotional activities for Director Baek’s movie. March, filming the variety show. Starting in April, filming Crown…”

While listing my schedule without pause, Team Leader Ahn glanced at Choo Seomok.

“You’re making sure Seulho takes his herbal medicine?”

“Yes. He hasn’t missed a single dose.”

“Good. Take good care of him. Honestly, it’s a miracle he hasn’t collapsed.”

His words made me laugh without thinking.

He sounded like he was talking about a little kid.

“Don’t worry. I won’t collapse.”

“I don’t believe people when they say that anymore. I’ve been fooled too many times.”

Patting his own shoulder, Team Leader Ahn looked at me.

“The first half of your year is already packed. You start action school the day after tomorrow, right?”

“That’s right.”

In the drama Crown, where I’d be playing a dentist, I’d also have to perform several action scenes.

Unlike the horror film I’d shot previously, where the focus had been on exposing my physique… This time it was genuine action.

Rather than muscles built for appearance, what mattered was the strength and coordination needed to work with another performer.

Instead of personal training… I’d need to learn jiu-jitsu or martial arts.

“Don’t insist on doing everything yourself just because you don’t want a stunt double. Talk to the director. If you need one, use one. Those professionals exist for a reason.”

“Understood.”

“And if you’re not feeling well, take breaks. I’ll personally rearrange the schedule if necessary.”

“Manager… my ears hurt.”

Only after I put on an exhausted face from all the nagging did Team Leader Ahn finally let me leave.

The moment we got into the car, Choo Seomok immediately handed me my herbal medicine.

Apparently he’d taken Team Leader Ahn’s words to heart.

“Please take care of me again this year.”

“Isn’t that a little sudden?”

“Yes. Very sudden.”

Chuckling, I drank the herbal medicine.

The bitter medicinal taste had already become familiar.

‘Looks like I’ll make plenty of money this year too.’

I was already looking forward to seeing my bank account grow.

Should I send this year’s earnings to the same place as in my previous life?

‘Maybe I’ll split it into installments this time.’

I found myself lost in thought before Choo Seomok’s voice snapped me back.

“Are you feeling any pain anywhere? Just like Team Leader Ahn said, don’t endure it. Tell me immediately. I’ll do whatever I can.”

“Yeah. Even if you didn’t say that, I was planning to make full use of you anyway. Don’t worry.”

Throwing away the empty herbal medicine pouch, I continued.

“What are you planning to do while I’m filming the variety show in March? That’s eight whole days of vacation.”

“I’m not sure. I don’t really have anything planned.”

He answered that he’d probably ask Team Leader Ahn if there was anything that needed doing during that time.

‘How boring.’

I sighed.

That answer suited him perfectly.

“Come on. Go make some friends. That’s exactly when you’re supposed to hang out.”

“You don’t have any friends either, Mr. Seulho.”

“I do have friends, okay??”

Seriously.

I told him I was meeting Noh Hamrak that evening.

Choo Seomok simply gave me a look that clearly said, “Oh, is that so.”

What was with that smug expression?

“No matter what you say, we’re real friends.”

“Sure you are. So what are you doing tonight? Drinking again?”

“No. Hyung wants to go to a PC café. Want to come?”

“I’m not really into games. Have fun.”

“Fine then.”

I didn’t bother asking twice.

Go ahead and live friendless all by yourself.

 

***

 

“Hyung.”

“Oh~. Sit here.”

I entered the PC café Noh Hamrak had sent me.

When he’d first sent me the address… I’d been a little worried.

‘Isn’t this just some neighborhood PC café?’

I was an actor now.

Shouldn’t we have reserved somewhere private?

But less than thirty minutes after sitting down… I realized something.

‘Nobody cares about me at all.’

The men completely absorbed in their games were too busy staring at their own monitors to even glance at the person beside them.

‘Is this really that fun?’

I’d only come because Noh Hamrak invited me.

Just like Choo Seomok… I wasn’t particularly interested in games.

‘Still, learning can’t hurt.’

I wasn’t sure what connection online games had to survival variety shows.

But… A game was still a game.

More importantly, once filming started, I’d be busy.

It seemed better to spend as much time with Noh Hamrak as possible beforehand.

I wasn’t planning to become inseparable friends with him.

Still, having him nearby certainly wouldn’t hurt.

‘And he’s good to talk to about acting.’

Honestly… Talking to him was often more helpful than talking to fellow actors.

Because he’d spent so much time as an ordinary viewer… His opinions felt refreshingly different.

“Hyung, could you stop moving around so much?”

We were playing a shooting game.

Noh Hamrak kept moving his character back and forth nonstop, like someone with terrible ADHD.

Watching it was making me dizzy.

“You have to keep moving if you don’t want to get shot. If you stay still, you’re way more likely to die.”

Oh, so that’s how it worked?

I immediately absorbed the useful tip.

From then on… The two of us bounced around like a pair of hyperactive lunatics… and died dozens of times.

At first I figured I simply wasn’t cut out for shooters.

But after two hours… I’d improved enough to comfortably beat Noh Hamrak.

“I think you’re actually talented at this. What are those reflexes?”

“I’m talented at everything.”

“You’re so annoying.”

The two of us laughed through our headsets.

Still… There was one problem.

“There are only two of us while every other team has four players.”

“That’s because it’s originally meant for squads of four. Most people always play with the same four-person group.”

“Then why don’t we bring two more people? Call one of your friends.”

“I don’t have any.”

“…”

Seriously.

‘Why are the only people around me like this?’

Well… We weren’t taking it that seriously anyway.

We could just play casually and leave.

…Except…

That taste of first place we’d gotten earlier was surprisingly addictive.

‘Who would actually come if I called them right now?’

After thinking for a while… I contacted someone.

Thirty minutes later… Someone walked into the PC café.

“Hyung!”

It was a voice I hadn’t heard in quite a while.

Turning around… I saw Director Seo walking toward us with one of his friends.

It was someone I’d never met before.

But there wasn’t any time for introductions.

“No time. Sit down, sit down.”

“Yes, sir!”

Without even introducing his friend… We immediately started the game.

The moment we began working together… I realized Director Seo’s friend was far better than I’d expected.

“Jinki, why do you keep dying?”

“Sorry…”

To be honest… Director Seo wasn’t actually very good.

He’d probably come just to see me.

His friend was the real deal.

“If you stay there, you’ll get pinched from both sides. Move out.”

“Okay. Huh? I hear footsteps behind us.”

“That’s me. Let’s move by vehicle.”

Hearing Director Seo’s friend’s calm voice through my headset felt incredibly reassuring.

Thanks to him… Only thirty minutes after he joined… We finally got first place.

“Yes!”

“Let’s take a break… whew.”

Noh Hamrak spoke in an exhausted voice.

He claimed he hadn’t worked this hard even during his school days.

And he genuinely sounded drained.

“We only got first thanks to Jinki’s friend. Thank you.”

“Haha, not at all. Is today really your first time playing? You’re surprisingly good.”

As we chatted and laughed together… We finally introduced ourselves.

“May I ask your name?”

“Choi Myungseok.”

“I see.”

I nodded casually.

Unlike me… Someone else reacted dramatically.

“Choi Myungseok?? Are you the one who directed the stage play ‘Between Dawn and Morning’…?”

Noh Hamrak, who’d been slumped over in exhaustion, suddenly shot upright.

“Oh, yes. How do you know that?”

“Wow…”

He spoke as though he couldn’t believe it.