How a Loan Shark Survives as an Actor Chapter 153

Chapter 153

 

On the day of the press conference for the film What I Loved… Hundreds of reporters packed the theater.

“How was the movie?”

“Better than I expected. Baek Jinhee really pulled off a Baek Jinhee.”

“The female lead has a great face. Feels fresh.”

With Director Baek’s comeback film, and Yoo Seulho, one of the hottest names around these days, appearing in it… It had been a while since there’d been a movie this newsworthy.

There were easily over two hundred print reporters alone.

Once the photographers and video journalists were included, the crowd looked well over three hundred.

Conversations overlapped throughout the theater, creating a constant low hum.

“How many viewers do you think it’ll pull?”

“I think it’ll do well. There’s not much to watch right now.”

“Director Baek’s timing is incredible. He really picked the perfect moment to come back.”

The reporters who had just finished watching the film wore expressions that were equal parts excitement and tension.

Being excited was natural; the movie had been good.

But at the end of the day… This was still work.

What questions they would ask the actors and production team, and what kind of articles they could produce from the answers… That was what mattered now.

“Damn… This article really needs to blow up.”

“You think it’s just you? Same here.”

The gathered reporters sighed in frustration.

Clicks were the fate of entertainment reporters.

The journalists attending the press conference would upload articles before the entire event even finished.

Sometimes breaking news appeared mere seconds after an actor finished speaking.

When someone asked a question… The answer didn’t belong solely to the reporter who’d asked it.

It belonged to everyone sitting in this room.

Everyone here was both part of the same community and an independent competitor.

The questions and answers today would become everyone’s assets… And everyone’s weapons.

“Hey…”

One reporter hesitated before speaking to the person beside him.

“Are you going to ask Yoo Seulho that?”

Despite the vague wording, the other reporter understood immediately.

Because everyone sitting here was thinking the same thing.

‘What’s Yoo Seulho’s relationship with his parents like now?’

Over the past year, Yoo Seulho hadn’t brought up his parents on his own even once.

Not even when he’d won an award recently.

At the time, everyone had been too distracted by Yoo Seulho’s tears to notice.

‘Were the rumors about family discord actually true?’

Yoo Seulho was someone whose identity had always been inseparable from the label,

“The son of Yoo Taeho and Lee Seulmyeong.”

Yet… At some point, he’d quietly begun drawing a line.

It smelled like a story.

The kind of story a reporter couldn’t simply ignore.

“Ugh… I don’t know. I don’t really want to get on his bad side.”

The reporters all understood.

If someone took the initiative, Everyone else could use the answer.

That was why the more everyone wanted to know something… And the harder it was to ask… The more they’d all silently think, “Someone else will ask it.”

If the question still hadn’t been asked by the time the press conference was ending… Eventually, Someone would grit their teeth and volunteer.

“Yoo Seulho landed Writer Koo Nahee’s drama, right? And he’s joining PD Lee Heeseop’s variety show too.”

“He’s even the lead in Writer Koo’s drama.”

“Sigh… Who wants to make an enemy out of a celebrity whose career’s skyrocketing?”

Everything Yoo Seulho had built over the past year had unexpectedly become a shield protecting him.

Who could’ve imagined that the once-dismissed “good-for-nothing” would rise this far?

The scariest part was that this might not even be the peak of Yoo Seulho’s career.

It could just be the beginning.

“You know how scary Wooyeon Entertainment is when they hold grudges.”

“How could I not? I wrote one bad article about Lee Yeonjae when he was younger, and I couldn’t get another interview for years.”

Above all, Yoo Seulho now had Wooyeon Entertainment behind him.

The agency was famous for fiercely protecting its artists.

Last year, during the press conference for Our Space, Several reporters had bombarded Yoo Seulho with malicious questions.

The only reason they had dared to do that was because Yoo Seulho had belonged to Star Actors.

A powerless agency like that was on an entirely different level from Wooyeon Entertainment.

“I wish those guys had shown up today.”

“Seriously though, not a single one of them came. Did they all get blacklisted together?”

“Wooyeon probably pulled a few strings.”

Not a single reporter who had attacked Yoo Seulho last year was present.

The Yoo Seulho they hadn’t known how to deal with before… Had now become someone they feared.

“This is awkward.”

“Well… someone will ask eventually.”

“…Probably.”

And with that, the press conference began.

Everyone watched one another.

Each silently hoping that someone brave enough… Would volunteer to ask the first difficult question.

 

***

 

“We’ll begin with the photo session.”

Following the MC’s instructions, I stepped into position.

Standing before countless cameras, I struck every pose the photographers requested.

“Please do a finger heart!”

“Dain, ribbon heart!”

Byeon Duho moved with the ease of an actor who’d already appeared in many productions.

Bae Dain, meanwhile… Looked incredibly nervous under the barrage of camera flashes she was experiencing for the first time in her life.

Standing beside her, I spent my time trying to help her relax.

“Noona. Think about something else.”

I whispered using ventriloquism.

Only then did Bae Dain manage to raise the corners of her mouth.

“Mm…”

Her face was so pale, I honestly wondered if she might throw up.

The reporters, however, paid no attention.

“Fight over Dain!”

It was a ridiculous request.

But there probably wasn’t a pose that represented the movie’s story better.

Since they’d all just watched the film, they clearly understood the key points.

‘Honestly, that’s a relief.’

Taking advantage of the moment, I exaggerated every movement with Byeon Duho, hoping Bae Dain could catch her breath.

Unfortunately, the reporters’ requests gradually became downright cruel toward two grown men.

“One more cute pose! Wink! Poke your cheeks!”

“Ugh…”

Even Byeon Duho shook his head, saying he couldn’t do it anymore.

But I never refused a single request.

I did everything.

“Haha, that’s Yoo Seulho for you! Everyone, give him a round of applause!”

At the MC’s cheerful remark, the reporters laughed and applauded.

“As you all know, I’ve hosted many premieres, but it’s rare to find an actor who never refuses requests the way Seulho does.”

He apparently remembered last year’s press conference.

Back then too, I’d accepted every pose they asked for.

‘It’s really nothing.’

I thanked him and was about to sit down when the MC made a pointed remark.

“But why are you so comfortable acting cute for us, yet you can’t do it for your fans?”

“…Excuse me?”

“I watched your livestream the other day. I can’t believe the person standing in front of me is the same person who was so shy in front of the fans!”

His words made the entire room burst into laughter.

Only then did my face heat up.

I covered it with one hand.

‘Well, that’s because…’

You aren’t Yoo Seulho’s fans.

Standing in front of people whose eyes lit up because they genuinely liked me wasn’t remotely the same thing.

If facing those people felt like “work” the way this did, I’d probably act comfortably there too.

Before I could answer… The MC piled on.

“The little chicks must be disappointed~. What do you think?”

“…”

“I-I’ll leave the questions to the reporters.”

My barely audible reply triggered another wave of laughter.

The reporters laughed… But their fingers never stopped flying across their keyboards.

‘At this point, they’re basically playing the piano.’

I had no idea what kind of articles they were writing.

It left me feeling uneasy.

But at the same time… It was a relief.

‘The atmosphere’s relaxed.’

Thanks to the MC, the previously stiff mood inside the theater had become much warmer.

Onstage sat, in order, Director Baek, Byeon Duho, Bae Dain, and me.

The reporters began asking questions.

The first ones were directed at Director Baek.

“What inspired you to direct this film?”

“Which scene did you devote the most effort to, or feel the strongest attachment toward?”

Serious questions.

No attempts at sensationalism.

Since everyone had gathered for the movie, they seemed determined to show proper respect, at least initially.

‘Hopefully it stays that way.’

Before the press conference had begun, I’d carefully gone through the reporters’ attendance list.

Not one of the people who’d attacked me last year was present.

‘Hmm.’

That wasn’t because of anything I’d done.

I could’ve asked Team Leader Ahn to block them beforehand.

But I hadn’t.

This was a test.

‘So… they got the message.’

At last… I became certain Yoo Taeho and Lee Seulmyeong had accepted my proposal for a truce.

If they’d sent their lackeys again today… Forget any truce.

I would’ve declared war first.

‘There’s a reason those two have survived this long.’

As irritating as Yoo Taeho and Lee Seulmyeong were, their survival instincts were admirable.

They’d calculated perfectly that provoking me any further would only destroy themselves as well.

‘Still… it’s too early to relax.’

Just because their reporters weren’t here didn’t mean the reporters present were on my side.

“A question for Actor Yoo Seulho.”

The moment it became my turn… The atmosphere inside the theater subtly changed.

Watching everyone straighten in their seats made it obvious who today’s main event was.

Whew.

‘Come on.’

I’d expected this.

Which was why I carefully maintained my expression.

I still hadn’t decided exactly how I would deal with Yoo Taeho and Lee Seulmyeong.

But one thing was certain.

I already knew exactly how I would conduct myself today.

“A moment ago, Actress Bae Dain mentioned that she was cast in this film thanks to Actor Yoo Seulho. Could you tell us how you feel about that?”

The first question was harmless.

I smiled awkwardly.

“First of all, I should clarify that it wasn’t thanks to me.”

I repeatedly emphasized that while it was true I’d introduced Bae Dain to Director Baek, she’d earned the role through her own abilities.

Perhaps she’d finally relaxed, because Bae Dain smiled and added,

“Seulho’s really so humble.”

I lightly whined,

“Seriously, why are you doing this to me?”

Several more gentle questions followed.

But… The reporters’ eyes told a different story.

They practically screamed, “That’s not what we’re really curious about.”

Even from the stage… It was obvious they were all watching one another, waiting.

After sitting in that tense atmosphere for over thirty minutes, even my throat felt dry.

‘Just ask it already.’

I had just begun thinking that… When someone stood up.

“I’m Jung Raewon from Cheongram Daily. I have a question for Yoo Seulho.”

The man gave off the impression of being rigid and old-fashioned.

He’d already caught my attention several times earlier.

Even while everyone else had been laughing… He’d remained serious.

He spoke.

“The character Dogeon, whom you portray, is depicted as being unusually dependent on Yeonhee. Earlier, Director Baek explained that Dogeon clings to Yeonhee because he doesn’t have a good relationship with his family.”

Oh?

Contrary to my expectations, it sounded like a genuine question about the movie…

“While playing a character who doesn’t get along with his family… did you ever find yourself thinking about your own parents?”

“…”

So that’s how he was going to throw the curveball?

‘What a lunatic.’

I was caught off guard.

But I immediately picked up the microphone.

There couldn’t be even a moment of silence after a question like that.

“I…”