How a Loan Shark Survives as an Actor – Chapter 23

Author: Cireng

Chapter 23

“I was also a child actor, just like Senior Seulho, and although we never worked on the same project, we’ve known of each other’s existence for a very long time.”

The one holding the microphone was Choi Ran.

With the same calm expression she’d use to say, ‘I had tofu-pocket sushi for dinner yesterday’, she continued speaking evenly.

“Since I’d never actually seen him act in person, I had my own prejudices. There were a lot of things being said online, and I also had my own impressions after watching the projects he’d appeared in. But after seeing him perform in person…”

Choi Ran paused briefly to choose her words.

Everyone… me, Woo Junseo, and PD Jang… looked at her nervously.

‘Choose your words carefully.’

Of course, I knew Choi Ran had been in the industry almost as long as Yoo Seulho and had never been involved in any major controversies, so she was undoubtedly well-trained in dealing with the media.

In fact, her composed answers throughout the press conference perfectly matched the pure and graceful image people associated with “Choi Ran.”

Even so, based on the Choi Ran we’d come to know, I was genuinely afraid she’d say something like:

“If you’re that worried, then don’t watch the damn drama. There’s a limit to how much nonsense people can spout.”

Fortunately, however…

“The prejudice I had became something I was embarrassed about.”

She was a true professional entertainer.

“I understand what viewers are worried about. Some people may even wonder what gives me the right to say this. But I’m confident that once our drama airs, the current reaction will completely reverse. His acting is that good.”

The confidence in her words carried real weight.

Choi Ran, who had always stayed aloof from other people’s affairs and watched everything like a distant spectator, had suddenly stepped forward in my defense, changing the atmosphere entirely.

PD Jang immediately added:

“Casting Seulho was the best decision we made for this drama.”

Woo Junseo followed with a somewhat vague statement:

“There have been more than a few times when Seulho surprised me on set.”

With everyone openly taking Yoo Seulho’s side, the reporters seemed reluctant to keep pressing the issue.

The host seized that opening immediately and smiled as he delivered a pointed remark.

“Yes~ Thank you for those wonderful comments. We’ve had quite a few similar questions already, so we’d appreciate it if we could move on to some different topics.”

It was a polite way of saying:

‘Read the room and wrap it up.’

While the reporters exchanged glances, gauging each other’s reactions, someone suddenly shot a hand into the air.

“Reporter Kim Dongwoo. I have a question for Yoo Seulho.”

It was the same reporter who had asked me the first question.

The host recognized him as well and began:

“Ah, perhaps we should give reporters who haven’t asked a question yet a chance–”

But the reporter cut him off and asked anyway.

“What are your thoughts on the controversy that you’ve benefited from special treatment in the entertainment industry due to the fame of actors Yoo Taeho and Lee Seulmyeong?”

Wow.

The moment I heard the question, I nearly burst out laughing.

I somehow managed to suppress it.

Outwardly, I probably only wore an awkward smile.

“Seulho seems very popular today. All the reporters keep asking only him questions.”

The host had apparently concluded there was no reasoning with this guy and was now insulting him with his eyes.

“Thank you for the question, but today’s event is for the drama~. We’d appreciate questions about the project rather than personal matters.”

He was effectively cutting off the conversation before I could answer.

I thought about it briefly before turning my head.

PD Jang had been watching me the entire time, and our eyes met immediately.

‘The safest choice is not answering.’

Of course, even my silence would become news.

Some people would criticize the rude reporter for crossing the line.

Others would enjoy seeing Yoo Seulho put on the spot.

‘If I answer, the impact could be huge. It might even overshadow the drama itself.’

Still, bad publicity was publicity.

And there would certainly be plenty of people who would watch the drama simply to see with their own eyes whether my acting was really that terrible.

‘It’s also a topic I’ll have to address eventually if I want to keep working.’

Even so, there was a difference between addressing the issue and throwing cold water on an event meant to celebrate the drama.

So I silently asked PD Jang for permission with my eyes.

I wasn’t sure he’d understand, but he nodded immediately, as if he’d been waiting for it.

That actually worked.

“May I answer that question?”

The host looked at me in surprise.

She then glanced at PD Jang before giving me time to lift my microphone.

I took a small breath and slowly began.

“This is actually the first time I’ve publicly addressed the nepotism controversy surrounding me. The reason I’ve never spoken about it before is… honestly, I was afraid. I spent many nights wondering how I should answer questions like this, wondering what I could possibly say to receive less criticism.”

The reporter’s eyes widened.

Ignoring him, I carefully chose each word, making sure I appeared as sincere as possible.

“Saying that I work hard would probably be the worst answer. Everyone works hard, but they don’t receive the advantages that I did. I think that if I had possessed even a little talent as an actor, this wouldn’t have become such a major issue. Since I didn’t, it became controversial, and that’s probably how the nickname ‘Deadweight’ was born.”

This wasn’t some generic answer intended to smooth things over.

My words were far more honest and direct than anyone expected.

The sound of reporters typing exploded to a level that dwarfed anything from earlier.

TATATATATATATATATATATATAT!!!

While the typing grew increasingly frantic, the expressions of the reporters holding cameras varied wildly.

Some stared at me blankly.

Others let out disbelieving laughs.

And among them all, the most spectacular expression belonged to Yoo Seulho’s manager, Hyun Jingae.

His face practically screamed:

“You crazy bastard, what the hell are you doing????”

Looking directly at that expression, I continued.

“I’d like to say I’ll prove myself through my acting, but I think those words have already lost their credibility. I’ve had countless opportunities to do exactly that. Some people may ask how I can still stand here with confidence knowing all of this.”

I hesitated briefly.

What would the real Yoo Seulho have said?

Yoo Seulho, who entered the entertainment industry because of his parents.

Yoo Seulho, who only played nice characters because that was what they wanted.

Yoo Seulho, who begged for three days until he collapsed trying to change their minds.

Yoo Seulho, who never revealed his true feelings to anyone and ultimately walked a lonely path to the end.

If he were finally given a chance to speak honestly for the first time in his life…

What would he say?

“I am… an actor who occupied a place without having the skills to deserve it. I truly was deadweight. I kept telling myself, ‘I’ll do better next time. I’ll really do better next time,’ and pushed it aside. Then I finally realized something.”

The gaze I’d lowered slowly rose.

Looking straight into the cameras before me, I portrayed a Yoo Seulho I’d never actually met.

“There may not be a next project.”

I met the camera head-on.

“As if this were my last opportunity, I’m approaching this project with desperation. I’ll do everything I can to continue proving myself so that many people can recognize that change. Thank you.”

And with that, the production press conference came to an end.

***

[Yoo Seulho opens up about nepotism controversy for the first time: “I worried about how to be criticized less…”]

[Yoo Seulho’s heartfelt confession amid acting controversy: “I know people call me deadweight.”]

[Yoo Seulho announces a renewed determination? When will ‘Our Space’ premiere?]

Countless articles flooded the internet.

The promotional articles that the production company had prepared suddenly looked insignificant compared to the avalanche of updates.

Features like real-time search rankings and trending videos had disappeared from portals long ago.

But trends themselves had never gone away.

Yoo Seulho’s answers at the press conference created a massive ripple effect.

Social media platforms and online communities were flooded with discussions about it.

The topic became so widespread that clips from the press conference began appearing in the recommendation algorithms of people who had no interest in the drama whatsoever.

The reactions were varied.

➝ Look at the quality of that reporter’s questions. So trashy.

↳ Seriously. I’m not even a Yoo Seulho fan, but I was cringing the whole time. Why ask questions like that at a drama press conference?

➝ Did anyone else cry when he mentioned being called “deadweight”…? I almost feel bad for all the hate I’ve thrown at him…

↳ Same. It actually got to meㅠ

↳ Says sorry while still calling him “deadweight.” Respect the commitment…

↳ LOL the comment above me is killing me

➝ One of the people who criticized his acting here… Sorry…….

↳ Why are you apologizing? Saying someone can’t act when they can’t act isn’t a crime lol

↳ The hate comments definitely went too far though. People were acting like they wanted him dead.

➝ At 0:47 you can really see how sincere his expression is. Might as well watch Episode 1 before judging.

➝ Seriously, it feels like he’s become a different person. Maybe we can trust him this time.

↳ The flip-flopping is hilarious kekek

↳ Yesterday: “Your acting sucks, go die.”

↳ Today: “Oppa, you’re so handsome♡”

↳ This is the state of the Korean internet.

➝ But did nobody watch the drama highlight reel? His acting was actually really good.

↳ Nah. That’s just the background music carrying it.

↳ No, someone uploaded a version with the music removed. It’s genuinely not bad.

↳ “Not bad” and “good acting” are two different things.

➝ Wait, but didn’t nobody ever dare criticize Yoo Seulho before? That’s why people called him a prince and mocked him kekekek Why is everyone suddenly dogpiling him now?

↳ I heard rumors that his parents cut ties with him.

↳ If his own parents abandoned him, that says everything. Maybe he’s really as rude as people claimed.

↳ People still believe rumors? LOL

↳ I heard he treated the drama staff really well this time though. So what’s true?

➝ I don’t know about anything else, but Yoo Seulho seemed manly in this video. I see him differently now.

↳ That’s not manly. That’s just shameless.

↳ You watched that ending and still call it shameless? He looked like he was about to cry.

↳ Uh, hello? He’s an actor. That’s obviously acting. Who actually believes that?

↳ Oh? So you’re admitting Yoo Seulho can act now?

↳ That’s not what I meant;;

It was complete chaos.

While public opinion was turning upside down overnight, Yoo Seulho was busy searching for a different name instead of his own.