How a Loan Shark Survives as an Actor Chapter 42

Chapter 042

 

‘Busy, busy.’

Originally, I had planned to visit Yoo Seulho’s family home on the weekend after Episode 6 aired.

But perhaps because the drama was doing so well, offers for all kinds of variety shows and interviews came pouring in like a tsunami.

It wasn’t surprising that the leads would be running around nonstop after the drama’s release. That was normal.

What was impressive was that the offers were coming to me as well.

No, it wasn’t merely that they were coming to me.

Apparently, there was a specific request attached:

“Make sure Yoo Seulho comes.”

‘Hah.’

Life really does throw strange things at you.

It was hard to ignore PD Jang, who was practically begging me, but more than anything, I couldn’t refuse because I was worried about Choi Ran.

If I wasn’t there, she would have to deal with Woo Junseo’s bullshit all by herself.

So the moment I agreed to appear, I contacted Yoo Seulho’s parents.

I sent a message to the number saved as “Mother.”

[‘It looks like I won’t be able to come this week because of my schedule. I’ll visit next week instead.’]

Since I was the one breaking a promise we had already made, I naturally included an apology.

I thought another barrage of phone calls would come.

But there was no response.

‘That’s unexpected.’

Then late that night, a single text arrived.

[Do you think I’d open the door if you came home? Don’t be ridiculous.]

A short, simple sentence.

The moment I read it, I laughed.

‘You’re right.’

I’m ridiculous too.

‘If they don’t open the door, then what?’

I wasn’t the real Yoo Seulho.

There was no chance I’d stop eating and drinking for three days and wait in front of the house because they refused to let me in.

I hadn’t expected much to begin with, but the cold message still left a bitter taste in my mouth.

‘Their son has been insulted everywhere for years, and now he’s finally getting attention and becoming busy.’

Wouldn’t normal parents say things like:

‘Good luck.’

‘Take care of yourself.’

‘Our son, fighting.’

‘Maybe I’ve been watching too many dramas lately.’

Once again, I concluded that I simply couldn’t get used to the concept of parents.

Besides, I was already overwhelmed just trying to focus on the schedule right in front of me.

“Seulho, we’re almost there. Get ready.”

“Yes.”

At my manager’s words, I slipped my phone into my pocket.

A huge building appeared beyond the car window.

Today’s filming location.

And countless cameras…

Huh?

“What the?”

The words escaped before I could stop them.

Hyun Jingae turned his head.

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

“Hyung, watch the road. Why are you looking behind you while driving?”

“Good grief, how do you nag every second of the day? What is it? What happened?”

“See those staff members holding cameras? It looks like they’ve already finished setting up. Unless… ah, right.”

I was only half certain at first.

Then I became completely sure.

The camera operators started filming us the instant they spotted our car.

The cameraman’s eyes were practically burning with anticipation.

There was no way I could mistake it.

Filming had already started.

“You think they’re going to start shooting the second I open the door?”

“Yep. Looks that way. Guess they’re not giving us prep time. Hey, you know the drill, right? Get out fast so I don’t end up on camera.”

Look at him acting like it’s none of his business.

After shooting Hyun Jingae a glare, I opened the car door.

“Seulho-ssi! Nice to meet you!”

Just as expected, a camera immediately shoved itself into my face.

“Hello.”

“Wow, you’re so tall in person. Goodness, your face is glowing! Glowing!”

“Thank you.”

“You arrived earlier than the scheduled time! First place among today’s guests! Oh! Since it worked out this way, should we film the opening together?”

The MC of today’s variety show, “Today, I’m a Freshman Too,” fired off comments nonstop.

At the same time, a staff member I had definitely never met before suddenly stuffed a microphone inside my clothes.

‘Hah.’

The unexpected physical contact without permission bothered me.

But I gave up thinking about it.

If I made a face while the cameras were rolling, I’d only be hurting myself.

“I’d love that.”

“Great~! Then we’ll film today’s opening with one of our guests, actor Yoo Seulho! Ah, but I’ve already been spoiled~! Just looking at the guests, I can immediately tell what department today is. Architecture, right?! Everyone’s watching ‘Your and My Space’ these days~!”

The male entertainer never stopped talking.

‘Is variety television always like this?’

The pace was absolutely dizzying.

The only variety show I had ever appeared on while inhabiting Yoo Seulho’s body was Wise Hot and Cold Bath, hosted by Lee Seulgi.

That show was a healing talk show built around sincere conversations.

Today’s program leaned much more heavily into comedy.

I had expected a different atmosphere.

But the difference was far more intense than I imagined.

‘This isn’t easy.’

The premise of today’s show was simple.

The MC and guests visited a different university and department every episode and attended classes together.

Since the department changed every time, the title was “Today, I’m a Freshman Too.”

Which meant today’s filming location was a university.

‘Being a celebrity really isn’t something just anyone can do.’

Since we were filming in front of a university, students naturally gathered around to watch.

The MC continued his opening without hesitation, completely unfazed by the way countless students stared at him like he was a monkey in a zoo.

Feeling that my awkwardness would only get in the way, I focused entirely on the MC and ignored the crowd as much as possible.

Maybe I focused too much.

“W-Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Huh?”

“No, Seulho-ssi, you’re staring so intently. Ah, I’m getting embarrassed. So this is what it feels like when a handsome man looks at you~. It feels like I’m in a movie!”

The character he played for variety shows was a little overwhelming.

Still, he didn’t seem like a bad person.

‘People like this are usually much quieter in private.’

And despite his confident comments, his eyes kept trembling nervously.

‘The perfect type to turn into a customer.’

Exactly the kind of person who’d be easy to scam.

Thinking nonsense like that naturally eased my tension.

Afterward, Choi Ran and Woo Junseo arrived one after another.

Before we could exchange more than a few words, filming moved on.

“Excuse me~! Are you a student here?”

“Ah, yes.”

“What’s one good thing about your university? Just one!”

While the MC skillfully stopped students for interviews, the guests quietly stood by.

True to her image, Choi Ran spoke very little.

Woo Junseo was busy trying to look cool.

Which meant I was the only one available to bounce off the MC’s comments.

Maybe because of that, the MC kept unconsciously looking at me.

“You’re in the architecture department~. Let me ask one thing. Do you have students like Suzy?”

“No.”

The student answered firmly.

“Movies are movies. And there aren’t any men who look like him either.”

He pointed at me.

The MC immediately responded:

“Ah, Seulho-ssi~. Looks like people like us don’t exist.”

Then the student cut him off.

“No. I only meant Yoo Seulho.”

Everyone burst out laughing.

We were all sharing a warm, cheerful moment.

Well, everyone except one person.

‘He’s not going to start cursing, is he?’

Naturally, it was Woo Junseo.

Unlike Choi Ran, who was at least reacting despite pressure from her agency, he was barely participating.

The ominous atmosphere around him made the students shrink back.

Speaking comfortably in front of a camera was hard enough.

Having a bunch of celebrities surrounding you only made it worse.

And with Woo Junseo wearing that expression, the interviews simply weren’t flowing.

“Phew. Should we take a short break? Let’s do a few more interviews and then… no, actually, let’s just head into the school!”

The MC finally surrendered.

The moment he announced a five-minute break in an exhausted voice, staff members lowered their cameras.

“Oppa.”

At the same time, Choi Ran approached me.

“Your popularity is insane these days. Everyone around me talks about you.”

“Really?”

“Yep. Even the director of the salon that did my makeup asked what you’re like in person. She never asks things like that. You must really be the hottest thing right now.”

Her eyes sparkled as she chattered excitedly, completely unlike her usual self.

Even though she was the lead, she didn’t seem upset at all that a supporting actor like me was stealing all the attention.

It reminded me of the way Hwang Taejun, the youngest member of my old organization, used to chatter away.

“Boss! You were incredible this time! Did you hear the staff whispering after yesterday’s meeting? I was so proud!”

“Thanks.”

I found myself smiling as I looked at Choi Ran.

Then the MC hurried over.

“Lots of people around me want to meet you too, Seulho-ssi! By the way, I never properly introduced myself earlier. Please take good care of us today.”

“I’m looking forward to it as well.”

Just as the warm conversation continued, another voice cut in.

“Ah, we squeezed this into our schedule between drama shoots, but everyone’s just playing around…”

The muttering was dripping with irritation.

Too quiet for the distant students to hear.

Too loud for the people nearby to ignore.

‘He really is a born celebrity.’

His volume control was impeccable.

Choi Ran and I were so used to his tantrums that neither of us reacted.

The MC, however, immediately looked displeased.

Then he turned to us.

“Do either of you have drama filming after this?”

“Nope. Not me.”

“My next shoot is tomorrow afternoon. But I think Woo Junseo has a night shoot.”

The moment Choi Ran answered, the MC grinned.

Then he walked over to the variety show PD and shouted:

“PD-nim! The weather’s nice today! Let’s take our time filming. Feels like we’re on a picnic!”

The PD hesitated briefly before catching on.

“Sure! The atmosphere is great!”

No one paid any attention to Woo Junseo’s increasingly sour expression.

‘Tsk.’

That’s why you should only pull power plays on your home turf.

This wasn’t a drama set where filming would grind to a halt if Woo Junseo disappeared.

More importantly, we were guests here solely to promote a drama.

He wasn’t some top star who needed to be worshipped.

There was no reason for outside staff to tiptoe around him.

Woo Junseo must have reached the same conclusion, because he silently participated after that.

Maybe he’d given up on chasing screen time.

He barely spoke.

Still, at least the murderous expression disappeared.

‘The campus is huge.’

It was my first time visiting a university, so everything felt fascinating.

Word had apparently spread that celebrities were here.

Even outside the camera angles, huge crowds had gathered.

“Let’s move to the lab now!”

The MC spoke, and we were about to follow him.

Then…

Thunk!

“Go die, you son of a bitch!”

A sharp pain suddenly struck my head.

Something ran down my face.

The shell in my hand told me exactly what had happened.

Someone had thrown an egg.

“Gasp!!”

“Everyone move back! Move!”

“There! That person! Catch them!”

The staff panicked and scrambled to clear the area.

While someone restrained the person who had thrown the egg, Choi Ran somehow produced tissues from nowhere and started wiping my face.

“Wow, they must be insane.”

“Is this real? Not part of the show? Crazy.”

“H-Hey! Don’t take photos over there!”

The place instantly descended into complete chaos.

Staff members and bystanders tangled together, turning the plaza into a complete mess.

I let out a long sigh.

‘Hah.’

Seriously…

Couldn’t they have thrown it after filming was over?

Now I have to get my makeup redone.