Chapter 46: A Sudden Promotion

“Ah, Actor Kang! You’re here?”

Arriving early at the filming site as usual, Myungwoo spotted an unexpected person.

Director Jo Jaesik, who usually showed up right around the start time, had arrived even earlier than him today, for some reason.

“Ah, Director, hello.”

Myungwoo tilted his head slightly in confusion before smiling brightly and greeting him.

Well, maybe traffic was light today. He didn’t think much of it.

“Haha, Actor Kang, I hear you come this early every time? That’s not easy—impressive!”

“Haha, it’s nothing.”

Jo Jaesik approached with a laugh, tossing out casual comments.

Huh, it seemed like Jo Jaesik had come early specifically to talk to him. Myungwoo mentally raised a question mark.

“Hmm, Actor Kang, you know I’m very satisfied with your acting skills, right?”

Huh? The sudden praise for his acting made Myungwoo tilt his head again.

He nodded while subtly observing Jo Jaesik.

“Ah, of course. You always shower me with praise after every scene.”

It was true. Jo Jaesik never held back on compliments for him, Jeon Siho, and Lee Yoohee after each take.

But why bring this up all of a sudden?

What was the point of mentioning it now? Myungwoo hid his puzzled expression and looked at Jo Jaesik.

“Haha, that’s right. I’ve always praised you. Hmm.”

Jo Jaesik nodded vigorously with a broad smile at Myungwoo’s response. Myungwoo smiled back.

What is he dragging this out for?

As Myungwoo pondered, Jo Jaesik leaned in slightly with a serious face and asked,

“So, about that—would it be okay if I increased your role a bit in this movie?”

“Pardon?”

Myungwoo blinked and stared at Jo Jaesik, completely caught off guard.

“I mean, your acting is so good that it feels like a waste to gradually reduce your screen time and leave you as just a supporting character. If you’re okay with it, I’d like to expand your part.”

“Ah, I’d welcome that, of course, but if that happens…….”

He wasn’t sure how much it would increase, but boosting Song Seojun’s role beyond the current level could make it nearly equal to the protagonist Choi Dowon’s.

The character was already attached to the lead, so he had a decent amount of screen time.

But increasing it even more…….

“So, I thought about it, and how about promoting you to lead? You’d share top billing with Actors Jeon Siho and Lee Yoohee as co-leads.”

“Pardon? Lead…… role?”

Thump. His heart pounded fiercely at the word “lead.”

“Yeah. Personally, I’m more ambitious about this direction. As a director, I think shifting this way will make for a better film.”

Jo Jaesik said more, but it barely registered with Myungwoo.

He just stared blankly at him.

Lead? Me? ……For real?

Less than a year into acting, and he was being offered a lead role?

Something he’d strived for in vain in his past life?

Did this make sense?

“I…… I……!”

Myungwoo was so stunned he couldn’t form words properly.

It was understandable. What was a lead role, after all? It was what he’d yearned for over 30 years in his previous life.

Sure, Writer Lee Eunkyung had offered him a drama lead, but that was for a project that didn’t even exist yet.

But now, definitively starring in Director Jo Jaesik’s film.

“Hmm, is it too much pressure after all?”

Misinterpreting Myungwoo’s reaction, Jo Jaesik looked awkward.

Even if his acting was great, he was an 11-year-old who’d been in the industry for less than a year.

And from what he’d seen, Kang Myungwoo was exceptionally mature for his age.

He wasn’t like other child actors who’d jump at the word “lead” without thinking.

“If it feels too hard, you can turn it down. I know your experience might make a lead role burdensome.”

No.

“……I’ll do it.”

There was no way he’d refuse.

Myungwoo moved his stiff lips to respond to Jo Jaesik.

“Huh?”

Myungwoo looked at Jo Jaesik with tears welling in his eyes.

The deep emotion and longing in them made even Jo Jaesik—a director who’d seen it all—flinch for a moment.

“I’ll take the lead.”

He couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.

With that thought, Myungwoo stared at Jo Jaesik.

“Haha.”

Laughter escaped Jo Jaesik’s lips as he witnessed Myungwoo’s passion firsthand.

He bowed his head briefly before lifting it again.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen an actor with that much fire.

It reminded him of his own youthful gaze.

Lost in nostalgic thoughts for a moment, Jo Jaesik stared into space with a wistful look.

His current self had lost much of that old passion.

But working with this actor might reignite it.

With that in mind, Jo Jaesik grinned and extended his right hand to Myungwoo.

“Alright, Actor Kang Myungwoo, lead of The World Turned Upside Down in an Instant. Let’s make it great.”

Myungwoo, eyes still misty with tears, stared at the hand before grasping it.

It was the moment acceleration kicked in for Kang Myungwoo’s path to becoming a top actor.

***

“Myungwoo! I heard from the director! You’re the lead now?”

“Wow, Actor Kang Myungwoo, that’s amazing! How long have you been debuted, and you’re already leading a movie?”

Jeon Siho and Lee Yoohee, upon arriving on set and hearing the news, rushed over to Myungwoo with excitement.

Seeing their genuine surprise and joy, Myungwoo smiled purely in return.

I knew these two would celebrate like this.

Lee Yoohee, who maintained her innocence despite being a top star, and Jeon Siho, her boyfriend of several years—they were just like that.

“This calls for a party, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah. When we go to Seungha’s villa next time, should we throw a first-lead celebration for Myungwoo too?”

Jeon Siho and Lee Yoohee chatted without hiding their delighted smiles, as if it were their own good news.

Watching them, Myungwoo felt a warmth in his chest.

Even though their parts are being reduced, they could feel a bit negative about it.

How could they celebrate so purely?

He really had made some great friends. With that thought, Myungwoo watched their conversation with a broad smile.

“Congrats on the lead.”

“Thank you, Sunbae Seunghyun.”

Yoo Seunghyun, with whom he had a slight acquaintance, also came over to offer congratulations upon hearing the news.

“Heh heh, a lead role—congratulations, Myungwoo.”

“Thank you, Sunbae Hwang Kyunghwan!”

Hwang Kyunghwan, his debut colleague and close friend from his past life, patted his shoulder in congratulations.

“I knew this would happen.”

“The director’s eyes on Kang Myungwoo were no joke.”

“But I didn’t expect him to give him the lead.”

“Yeah. Well, the director must have his reasons. It’s Director Jo Jaesik, after all.”

“True, that makes sense.”

Others reacted variously to Myungwoo’s lead news.

Some seemed to have expected it, while others…

“Wow…… How long has he been debuted to land a lead already?”

“And at eleven years old, not even an adult actor.”

“Kang Myungwoo is no joke.”

“There’ll be articles about this soon.”

…were purely astonished.

And then there were those who used the chance to undermine him.

“Isn’t this too hasty? Jeon Siho and Lee Yoohee make sense, but someone with less than a year in…”

“Making Kang Myungwoo the lead?”

“Yeah. What does that make Jeon Siho and Lee Yoohee?”

“Just actors losing screen time to a junior.”

“Kang Myungwoo’s something else, accepting it like that.”

“Is he clueless, or just a kid……?”

Well, it’s inevitable that some talk would arise.

No matter how important the director was in a film, he couldn’t unify everyone’s opinions.

It was natural for differing views, especially when it involved proven top stars like Lee Yoohee and Jeon Siho.

This level of noise was something he had to endure for suddenly getting the lead.

“Myungwoo.”

But apparently not for Lee Yoohee and Jeon Siho. They glanced at those speaking ill with cool eyes before meeting his gaze directly.

“Don’t pay attention to that talk. Your acting is truly amazing, and the director gave you the lead because he saw that.”

“Exactly. His eye is better than theirs—if anything. Don’t let it get you down, stay confident, okay?”

Lee Yoohee and Jeon Siho wiped away their usual smiles, speaking to Myungwoo with serious expressions.

Myungwoo felt a surge of emotion from their warm concern.

At the same time, he envied them.

If I’d had that kind of composure in my past life…….

Would he have lived a happier life?

Not obsessing over what he lacked, but enjoying what he had?

He didn’t know. But there was no way to turn back time now.

It was all in the past, and he was living a new life.

From his previous life, Myungwoo had one resolution.

This life, I won’t live like the last one.

He wouldn’t fixate on what he couldn’t have and let go of the happiness he already held.

This time, he’d live with composure.

With that thought, Myungwoo clenched his fist and smiled brightly.

“Thank you. Yoohee-sunbae, Siho-sunbae.”

Did they know how encouraging it was for them—the ones whose roles were being reduced—to say this?

Probably not. As far as he knew, this was their first time experiencing something like it.

To not harbor any resentment or negativity toward a junior they’d known for such a short time suddenly rising to co-lead, and to celebrate so purely—that was truly remarkable.

Myungwoo knew that better than anyone.

Because he hadn’t been able to do that himself.

“I’ll definitely do my best.”

Myungwoo declared, burning with determination.

It was his first lead; he couldn’t treat it lightly.

He’d deliver the absolute best performance.

Seeing their cherished junior so fired up, Jeon Siho and Lee Yoohee exchanged smiles.

“Looks like we don’t need to worry.”

“Yeah. Our junior’s all pumped up.”

“Honestly, it’s a bit disappointing, but I think Myungwoo’s lead-worthy.”

“Haha, same here. Who wouldn’t after seeing his acting?”

“Plus, this direction is probably better for the film, so that’s why the director decided it.”

“I agree.”

Lee Yoohee and Jeon Siho shared such a conversation with grins.

They weren’t without some regret, but their celebratory feelings far outweighed it, allowing them to smile genuinely and chat freely.

For Myungwoo, it was incredibly fortunate.

And so, filming for the newly adjusted The World Turned Upside Down in an Instant began.