How a Loan Shark Survives as an Actor Chapter 63

Chapter 63

 

‘So I’m really doing a beer commercial.’

Beer commercials were known for featuring celebrities who had already made a name for themselves.

And it wasn’t even some new brand I’d never heard of.

The offer had come from the very beer brand I used to drink all the time back when I was a loan shark.

‘Life really is full of surprises.’

Gyeongbeom used to scold me because I drank nothing but this stuff.

‘I wonder how shocked the guys from the organization would be if they found out.’

The youngest one would definitely throw a fit and shout, “Boss actually made it this big! I knew it all along!!”

Though, of course, they’d never find out for as long as they lived.

…

The strange feeling that surfaced made me click my tongue.

‘Looks like I’m getting old too.’

Here I was, wasting time with pointless thoughts.

Thinking about things that wouldn’t help my work wasn’t worth it.

I quickly shook those thoughts away and focused on what was in front of me.

‘Beer, beer, beer… huh?’

Wait a second.

Why had I only gotten beer commercials?

There were several proposals from beer brands, but not a single one from a soju company.

As I thought about it, I remembered that female celebrities usually advertised soju, while beer commercials mostly featured men.

‘That’s odd.’

The more I thought about it, the stranger it seemed, so I asked my manager.

“Seomok, why do male celebrities do almost all the beer commercials while female celebrities do the soju ones?”

I wasn’t expecting a precise answer.

He wasn’t some advertising expert. I was just speaking out loud while organizing my thoughts.

“……”

But Cho Seomok spent a long time thinking in silence.

‘Why does he look so serious?’

I was just about to tell him not to overthink it when he spoke first.

“To summarize, I believe the marketing changes depending on the target audience. Soju is consumed mostly by male customers, while beer has a broader consumer base. Therefore, soju brands seem to prefer female celebrities who appeal effectively to male consumers, whereas beer brands favor male celebrities who can easily evoke various emotions such as relatability and empathy.”

I unconsciously opened my mouth before quickly closing it again.

“Was my answer helpful?”

“Uh… yeah. Thanks. You’re really good at explaining things.”

“After it was decided that we’d be doing a beer commercial, I studied the related material just in case. I’m glad it was helpful.”

Seomok smiled brightly.

He was clearly trying not to show it, but I could sense the strong pride hidden in the corners of his mouth.

‘Huh.’

Who would’ve thought I’d end up with such a responsible manager?

It was amusing, and at the same time, kind of admirable.

“Thanks. I’ll ask you things from time to time.”

“I’ll study hard.”

Just as Seomok answered energetically, a staff member shouted from afar.

“Mr. Seulho! Could you come over here for a moment~!”

At those words, I quickly headed over to where the staff had gathered.

There were considerably more people now than when I first arrived.

“Yoo Seulho?”

Among them, a man dressed entirely in black extended his hand.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Director Yoon Kyungmin, the overall director. Looking forward to working with you.”

He looked like the sensitive type.

Filming hadn’t even started yet, and he was already frowning.

‘Hmm.’

I quickly scanned his immaculate clothes, spotless shoes, and the way everyone around him looked at him.

“Likewise. I look forward to working with you.”

As soon as I reached my conclusion, I lowered my voice slightly.

“I was told this is your first alcohol commercial. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“It won’t be easy. You have to act like the beer is cold and refreshing, but under the lights it’ll actually be lukewarm.”

I see.

It was something I’d never considered before, but I didn’t show it on my face.

I simply listened carefully and answered diligently.

“Of course, you won’t actually drink the beer. You only need to pretend. Advertising regulations prevent us from showing people swallowing it anyway.”

“Understood.”

I maintained a calm tone without changing my expression.

People like him would probably respond with ‘Stop trying to act friendly and just do your job’ if I acted overly personable and told him to trust me.

After quietly answering his questions for about ten minutes, his expression noticeably softened.

“Anyway, if there are parts you’re unsure about, let me know. Since it’s your first time, we’ll take things slowly whenever possible.”

His voice had become much gentler than before.

‘No need to get on the director’s bad side.’

Besides, this wasn’t a one-day shoot.

The commercial would be filmed over three days and consisted of several series: office, friends, and lovers.

‘Every character I’m playing is a villain.’

In the office version, I’d play an old-fashioned senior employee who carelessly asks personal questions and nags the youngest worker during a company dinner.

In the friends version, I’d be the obnoxious friend bragging about his money and house at a reunion.

In the lovers version, I’d play a walking red flag who constantly criticizes his girlfriend and tries to mold her to his tastes.

Just reading the story made it completely different from ordinary beer commercials.

Beer commercials were usually bright and cheerful.

Friends having a refreshing drink after watching sports.

Someone relaxing with a beer after work.

Hell, even the classic scene of chugging a cold beer after sweating wasn’t included this time.

‘Then again, I’m not the one drinking it.’

The biggest difference from other commercials was that I, the model, wasn’t the one drinking beer.

I’d say stressful things as the villain, and then the characters in each series would drink to relieve their frustration.

The concept was that the beer cleared away the suffocating feelings brought on by my words.

In other words, the audience would empathize more with the people drinking than with me.

‘That means I’ll be working with three different actors.’

Each series had a different person drinking.

I heard they’d intentionally cast unknown actors whose faces weren’t well known.

The top requirement was for them to look like ordinary people rather than celebrities.

‘They must all be under a lot of pressure.’

This was probably their first TV commercial.

Acting like you’re enjoying beer with a camera right in your face wasn’t exactly easy.

Honestly, I was relieved I wasn’t the one who had to do that.

‘Though it’s not like I won’t drink at all.’

Since I was the main model, it would’ve been strange if there wasn’t a single scene of me drinking beer.

So while the fifteen-second TV commercial wouldn’t have one, I’d have a bonus scene in the full version uploaded online.

Of course, even then I couldn’t just drink happily.

I’d have to do it in a petty manner that matched the villain image I’d built throughout the commercial.

‘Man… this isn’t an easy commercial.’

There were too many things to consider.

Still, I liked that I didn’t have to act cool.

In a way, everyone’s wishes were reflected in this ad.

The beer brand got a unique and interesting commercial.

I didn’t have to strike cool poses in front of the camera.

And the other actors got a chance to stand at the center.

“Are you ready?”

At Seomok’s question, I nodded.

I ran my fingers over the beer bottle I’d been holding.

‘Cold.’

Tiny droplets covered the bottle that had just come out of the refrigerator.

After repeating several times in my mind that I should do well today, I spoke.

“Let’s go.”

Time to play one hell of a villain.

 

***

 

The first series we filmed was the office version.

I wore a suit from a standard business brand that actual office workers often wore and loosened my tie halfway to match the atmosphere of a company dinner that had gone on for a while.

“What should we do with your bangs, Mr. Seulho?”

“I think just a few strands down would look nice. Something a bit messy.”

While leaving my face entirely to the staff, I repeatedly read through the script.

‘I need to make this different from Kang Minwoo.’

Kang Minwoo had been a domestic abuser who beat his younger brother… a complete piece of trash.

But today’s character, while a villain, wasn’t human garbage.

More importantly, dramas and TV commercials were different mediums.

Even if comedy wasn’t the main focus, commercials still needed a certain degree of lighthearted fun.

I had to adjust my acting accordingly.

‘If I get too immersed like I’m filming a serious drama by myself, it’ll just feel out of place.’

Since this was my first commercial, all kinds of thoughts were running through my mind.

“Um, hello.”

“…?”

The moment I stood up after finishing my makeup, a man approached me awkwardly.

“It’s an honor to work with you today, sir. I’ll do my best.”

Ah.

At those words, I realized he was today’s hidden protagonist.

‘This guy looks exactly…’

Like Hwang Taejun, the youngest member of my old organization.

‘He looks even more alike from the side.’

The resemblance fascinated me.

“Likewise. What’s your name?”

“Huh? My name?”

Blinking several times, the man awkwardly introduced himself.

I wondered if I shouldn’t have asked, but time was short, so I quickly shook his hand.

“I’ll support you as much as possible, Hyunggu.”

“Support… me?”

“You have to make the beer look delicious today, right? Fighting.”

Just as important as me delivering the villain’s stressful lines properly was this guy showing an expression of relief and enjoying the beer.

“Ah… yes…”

After greeting Kang Hyunggu, who still looked dazed, I entered the set.

“Everyone, to your positions!”

People dressed in white shirts filled the studio, which had been transformed into the interior of a barbecue restaurant.

I sat opposite Kang Hyunggu, who was hunched over in his seat.

“Ready, go!”

The moment the director gave the signal, the extras who had been waiting quietly burst into lively chatter.

The camera ignored all of them and focused solely on me.

And in my eyes, I saw only Kang Hyunggu.

“So…”

Kang Hyunggu snapped his head up and met my gaze.

Grinning, I said,

“So, Sangwook. When are you getting married? At your age, you should’ve had two kids already.”