How a Loan Shark Survives as an Actor Chapter 149

Chapter 149

 

“I’ve watched every one of your productions. I’ve seen your latest one four times… I’m a huge fan.”

“Really??”

Director Seo’s friend, Choi Myungseok, widened his eyes.

He stood there blankly for a moment before clearing his throat and quickly straightening his posture.

“Ahem. Thank you. I never imagined I’d meet one of my audience members in a place like this.”

It was a witty response befitting the title of “director.”

At a glance, Noh Hamrak looked older than Choi Myungseok, and since Noh Hamrak had been the one to openly express his admiration first, it was also a gesture of respect.

‘He’s good with people.’

I’d already guessed as much from the fact that he’d come to play games with complete strangers based solely on Director Seo’s invitation.

His easygoing gestures, his overall demeanor… He came across as very smooth and sociable.

‘That’s unexpected.’

So Director Seo had a friend like this.

Honestly, I was surprised Director Seo had any friends at all.

I’d told him to bring one friend along when I called him… But I’d honestly wondered whether he even had one.

Listening to Noh Hamrak and Choi Myungseok talk, though, I understood.

‘So this guy comes from money too.’

Like Director Seo, Choi Myungseok came from a wealthy family.

Unlike Director Seo, who was the only one in a family of businessmen to pursue the arts… Choi Myungseok had been born and raised in an artistic family from the very beginning.

Born to parents who had fallen in love on a theater stage, he spent more time in theaters than at home while growing up.

That was how someone the same age as Director Seo, only twenty-four this year, had already staged multiple productions.

‘Judging by how much Noh Hamrak likes him, he must be talented too.’

Well… Director Seo wasn’t a bad director himself.

Still, through my cynical eyes… That wasn’t a position someone could reach through talent alone.

In any case, having parents who were major figures in theater probably explained why so many offers came his way despite his age.

“Sometimes, I’ll go watch one of your plays with Hyung Hamrak.”

“Hehe, thank you. By the way, please speak comfortably, hyung.”

Choi Myungseok grinned.

Compared to Director Seo, his social skills were on another level.

“By the way, what line of work are you in, Hyung Hamrak? Theater as well?”

Unlike me, whose face was already well known, Noh Hamrak was someone Choi Myungseok had never met before, so he asked cautiously.

Noh Hamrak immediately waved both hands frantically like someone who’d committed a crime.

“Oh, no, no. I’m just an ordinary person. I just somehow ended up becoming friends with Seulho.”

“Wow, really? How did you two become friends?”

“Well… honestly, I don’t really know either.”

Noh Hamrak admitted that even he still couldn’t quite believe he was sitting here.

‘That’s funny.’

And yet you’re the one who invited me to play games because you had nothing better to do?

Only at moments like this did he seem to remember I was actually a celebrity.

I couldn’t help snorting.

Meanwhile, Choi Myungseok and Noh Hamrak continued enthusiastically discussing recent theater productions.

“I especially liked how you ended it with the protagonist’s monologue.”

“Ahh, you noticed that!”

Before I knew it, Noh Hamrak had already dropped the formal speech, thanks to his natural friendliness.

He’d recognized Choi Myungseok’s name immediately.

He’d even openly declared himself a fan.

Yet somehow, he could become this comfortable with someone almost instantly.

That, too, was a talent.

‘Nice.’

Choi Myungseok also looked completely at ease around Noh Hamrak.

He genuinely seemed to enjoy talking with him.

“Hyung, what did you think about that part?”

Suddenly, a passionate discussion about theater had broken out in the middle of an ordinary neighborhood PC café.

Director Seo and I decided to just eat snacks.

“Jinki, go buy me some Home Run Balls.”

“Sure… Wait, didn’t you bring your wallet?”

“I did. But you should buy them. You’ve got lots of money.”

“What? Wouldn’t you have… more than me?”

“Get rid of that prejudice that celebrities all make lots of money.”

What?

Never seen an older brother mooch off his younger brother before?

Director Seo looked bewildered, so I patiently explained why he should be the one paying.

“There’s a reason the phrase noblesse oblige exists. Wealth has to circulate for society to be a happy place. Understand?”

“Ah… yes.”

“Good. What a nice kid. Hurry and buy me some Home Run Balls.”

“Yes, Hyung.”

Director Seo awkwardly got to his feet and headed for the counter.

As I watched his commendable retreating figure… I felt someone staring at me.

“What?”

“So… this is how you’ve been keeping Jinki under control all this time…”

“…”

For a moment, Choi Myungseok’s quiet remark left me speechless.

But I shamelessly recovered.

“I’m putting in a lot of effort to get along well with my little brother too. Acting all easygoing is harder than it looks.”

“I see.”

Unlike Director Seo… Choi Myungseok didn’t seem to believe me completely.

Still, he didn’t appear upset that I was making his friend run errands.

If anything… He thanked me.

“Thanked me? For what?”

Unable to understand, I asked.

Choi Myungseok smiled.

“I’ve been friends with Jinki since middle school. As you already know… he’s never exactly been… friendly toward people.”

According to Choi Myungseok… Unlike himself, who’d inherited his parents’ outgoing personality… Director Seo had been infamous around the neighborhood since childhood for having absolutely no social skills.

He’d been so rich that no one dared pick fights with him.

But at the same time… No one ever got close to him either.

Among everyone, Director Seo treated Choi Myungseok the best, since Choi was easygoing enough to approach him first.

Even then… There had been limits.

But after meeting me… He’d noticeably changed.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him calling someone ‘Hyung, Hyung’ and following them around. He used to clash with everyone.”

Apparently, after working with me on the same project, Director Seo had started treating the people around him much better.

In fact… Not long ago, he’d even told Choi Myungseok, “Thank you for staying by my side.”

“Seriously, I got goosebumps. I was like, ‘You crazy bastard, what’s wrong with you? Are you dying?'”

“I understand.”

“Right?? I seriously thought something was wrong with him. But then he started talking about you, Hyung.”

Director Seo had apparently quoted something I’d casually said during filming.

The remark that had left the deepest impression on him was: “Treat the people around you well, and good fortune will come back to you too.”

That actually caught me off guard.

‘That was just…’

I’d only said it because I was worried he’d mistake my kindness for flattery.

For someone who instinctively distrusted and questioned any kindness directed at them… That approach was surprisingly effective.

Once they heard, “I’m treating you well because it benefits me too,”

they finally relaxed.

I never imagined an offhand remark would move him that deeply.

“So when he said he was coming to play games with you today, Hyung, I immediately canceled my plans and came running.”

“You canceled your plans?”

“Ah, they’re friends I meet all the time anyway. They understood, so don’t worry.”

Choi Myungseok grinned.

‘Well, well.’

This guy’s subtly making me owe him one.

He was definitely different from Director Seo.

Clever… But not in an annoying way.

Exceptionally polite.

The type who’d never cross the line.

‘Knowing someone like him can’t hurt.’

I’d only invited him because we needed another player.

Who would’ve thought it’d open up a whole new network?

‘Choi Ran mentioned something before, didn’t he?’

Back when I’d asked Choi Ran about theater… He’d told me something.

According to him, the theater world and the film industry shared far more personnel than most people realized.

Many theater directors eventually moved into films and dramas.

Likewise, many screen actors later transitioned into theater.

That meant there was definitely something I could gain through Choi Myungseok.

‘I ended up connecting to an unexpected circle.’

From what Noh Hamrak had said, Choi Myungseok was currently one of the hottest young theater directors around.

He’d staged productions not only in Daehangno’s small theaters… But even at the National Theater.

For someone in their twenties to direct productions there was considered highly unusual.

Someone like him… Surely knew plenty of television and film directors.

‘I can get recommendations from him.’

I needed a list of PDs qualified to direct Crown.

And if I wanted that list… I’d need to become even closer to him.

“So what now? Want to grab some drinks?”

Keeping my real objective hidden, I casually suggested we continue over drinks.

“Oh! I’d love to!”

Choi Myungseok and Director Seo immediately cheered as though they’d been waiting for that invitation.

Noh Hamrak stepped outside, saying he needed to make a phone call.

Less than a minute later, he came back.

“I can go. Let’s head out.”

“Who did you call?”

“My girlfriend. We’re living together right now.”

“Oh~! You have a girlfriend. But… don’t women usually hate it when you suddenly say you’re going out drinking?”

Choi Myungseok looked genuinely concerned.

What if she’d become upset because of them?

Noh Hamrak laughed.

“Nah. When I told her this morning I was meeting Seulho, she already said I could stay out overnight if I wanted and just enjoy myself.”

“Wow… Your girlfriend’s really understanding.”

“We’ve been together four years… She also knows how interested I am in acting. I’m grateful she’s so considerate.”

“Wow~. Four years? Then marriage must’ve come up by now. Do you have any plans?”

As we walked toward the bar… Choi Myungseok effortlessly carried on the conversation.

The way he pretended to be deeply interested in topics he almost certainly didn’t care about… was an art form.

‘He’s impressive.’

Seeing someone who was genuinely good at socializing for the first time in a while made me smile.

“I need to make a call too.”

Keeping a slight distance from the group as we walked… I called Choo Seomok.

— “Yes. Go ahead.”

“I’m going drinking. Eat dinner without me.”

— “I thought you said you weren’t drinking.”

“When did I say that?”

— “Earlier today, when I asked whether you were going out drinking, you said you were only playing games.”

“Ah, well, the situation… Hey, wait. Why am I explaining this to you?”

Seriously.

Even Noh Hamrak’s girlfriend, who’d been dating him for four years, had happily told him to go enjoy himself.

Who were you to question me?

“Do I need your permission to drink? Forget it. I’m hanging up.”

I was about to hang up in irritation when Choo Seomok hurriedly spoke.

“Who am I to give you permission? Just promise me one thing.”

“What?”

“Eat dinner before you drink. You barely had lunch today, so make sure you get enough carbohydrates before–”

“I’m hanging up.”

Without even letting him finish… I quickly ended the call.

“Hyung! Hurry up!”

At Director Seo’s call, I quickly caught up.

He asked who I’d been talking to.

There was no way I could admit I’d just been getting permission from my lunatic manager.

So I simply brushed the question aside.

 

***

 

The drinking session continued long into the night.

By the end of it, Choi Myungseok and I had officially entered the category of “close acquaintances.”

Probably because Director Seo kept calling me Hyung, Choi Myungseok naturally started using the same form of address.

As he poured Noh Hamrak another drink, he thanked him once again.

“I’m really glad someone like Hyung Hamrak exists.”

“For what?”

“Musicals are one thing, but honestly, theater doesn’t have many repeat viewers. Thanks to people like you, theater can keep going.”

“Repeat viewers?”

When I asked what that meant, he explained it referred to people who repeatedly watched the same production.

‘Interesting.’

Young people’s slang really was hard to keep up with.

As I quietly drank… Choi Myungseok continued complimenting Noh Hamrak’s mask and voice.

Maybe because he was one of the audience members who’d watched his plays multiple times… Either way, he was very good at fan service.

‘Wait.’

An idea suddenly occurred to me.

“Myungseok.”

“Yes, Hyung.”

“Isn’t there any play that would suit Hyung Hamrak? If there’s an audition, let him know.”

The two men’s reactions couldn’t have been more different.

Choi Myungseok’s face lit up.

Noh Hamrak, meanwhile… Went completely pale.

“Of course! Actually, I’ve been thinking–”

“No! I… I can’t act!”

His desperate outburst instantly silenced the table.

I was the most surprised of all.

“Ah… Hyung. Sorry. I made a mistake–”

“No. That’s not it. It’s just… I’m… I’m not an actor.”

His voice shrank… as though it were desperately searching for a hole to crawl into.