“No, I just got a little flustered.”
She waved her hand vigorously with the black envelope dangling from her wrist.
Thanks to that, the ad playing on the screen she was holding became visible to him, and he seemed to understand why she’d reacted that way.
He smiled and asked,
“Did you recognize me, by any chance?”
The impact of his beaming smile was so overwhelming that you’d have to see it for yourself to believe it.
Living in Seoul, even attending the prestigious Korean National University of Arts known for its abundance of good-looking people, she’d often seen aspiring celebrities or real celebrities in person.
She’d even seen a fair number who looked better in real life than on screen.
But she had never seen anyone who looked better in person than this man.
He looked to be at least 180cm tall, and judging by his broad shoulders, he probably worked out, too.
No matter how handsome a man was, her heart had never skipped a beat—until now, for the first time, her heart reacted so strongly.
As she stood there staring blankly at him, perhaps feeling a little frustrated, he tilted his head and raised an eyebrow.
“I’m not a suspicious person, it’s just that I’m the actor in that video… I hope I didn’t come across as presumptuous?”
She waved both hands emphatically and shook her head hard from side to side.
“I recognized you. I recognized you. I recognized you. I recognized you.”
“Ah, I see. That’s a relief. I thought I might have gotten it wrong.”
“You’re just so handsome it startled me, so please don’t mind it.”
“Ah, if that’s the reason.”
It was the first time she’d met an actor who admitted it so cleanly with an “Ah, if that’s the reason—,” and after staring in a daze for a moment, she decided she couldn’t let this chance slip by and poured out the feelings she’d just experienced.
“I see a lot of good-looking people… I mean, I do, but you’re so good-looking and your acting is amazing too…”
He stood quietly, waiting for her to finish speaking.
He wasn’t smiling, but he was clearly paying close attention.
It was the first time a celebrity she’d met on the street had listened so intently to her, so maybe she was a little excited herself.
But at the same time, she was also amazed.
His natural behavior was just like a celebrity who’d met fans countless times before.
“Oh! Anyway, you were just too cute.”
At that moment, she was surprised, her eyes growing as wide as a rabbit’s at his changed reaction.
He had been listening to her so relaxedly and naturally up until now, but at the single word “cute,” his face flushed under the streetlight for the first time, flustered.
“Uh, is it embarrassing to be called cute?”
“T-that’s not something I hear often, so… Thank you.”
‘Is he insane? He’s so cute.’
Her heart dropped with a thump.
Could this be what her friend was talking about…?
– Hey, your ultimate bias isn’t something you decide. Even if it’s a celebrity you see all the time, or a video you watch every day, one day, all of a sudden, you just… fall for them. I’m telling you, just seeing a good-looking celebrity over and over is totally different from having a bias.
– Yeah, yeah, I get it.
– Just wait. Your time will come too. When it does, don’t come calling me.
Has my time come?
Has it finally arrived?
“Yeohu! You left this behind!”
“Gido hyung?”
“Uh, uh! Well! I’m going now! Good luck!”
Just then, because of a man running toward them from afar, she quickly gave him a hasty farewell and left the spot.
When she got home, she searched the name ‘Yeohu’ along with the commercial, and an SNS link came up.
Jeon Yeohu.
Fourth-year acting student at the Korean National University of Arts, about to graduate.
His SNS, opened less than a year ago, was approaching 400,000 followers.
A rookie actor whose debut work was the TAM commercial.
No matter how many handsome men and beautiful women you see, you don’t become a fan unless your heart is moved.
She’d lived her whole life riding the waves of the “good-looking algorithm.”
But now, it seemed like only one person would keep appearing in her algorithm, relentlessly.
—
I am Koo Gido.
Right now, I’m extremely confused.
“Look at this kid. Where’s your head at, huh? Leaving your wallet in the car. See, see, even your ID is in here.”
For the idiot who got out of the car without his wallet, I went through the trouble of finding a parking spot and running back—only to spot the idiot in a secret meeting under the streetlight.
Koo Gido’s usually simple mind was in a whirlwind.
‘Should I report this to the boss? But with that height and that hair length, no matter how I think about it, it’s probably a woman, right? No, that’s prejudice. Maybe it’s just a long-haired rock style? Besides, if our Yeohu were to date, he’d just tell us.’
Celebrities are people, too, so of course they have the freedom to date. Still, for a rookie actor from our agency, who’s just starting to get famous with two unreleased projects—dating is something to be cautious about.
‘But our kid’s human, too. If it’s a real relationship, I should at least let the company know. That’s the duty of a true manager.’
Clutching the wallet in one hand, I shouted out loudly.
“Yeohu! You left this behind!”
Then, purposefully putting on a fierce look, I sprinted with all my strength, just like those high school fitness tests from long ago.
The other person, startled by Koo Gido’s dash, gave Yeohu a fighting pose and disappeared down another street.
And as expected, the person who hurried off was a woman, and Koo Gido’s insides were even more chaotic than a storm.
But if you let those feelings show, you can’t call yourself a pro.
Maintaining as normal an expression as possible, Koo Gido put a hand on Jeon Yeohu’s shoulder and casually asked,
“So, so, so, so? Is it someone you know? Maybe a girlfriend? If she is, it’d be better to tell the company—”
Good. That sounded natural.
Jeon Yeohu, who had no trouble taking his eyes off her retreating figure, looked at Koo Gido with an exasperated face.
“Hyung, do I look like someone who has a girlfriend?”
To that question, Koo Gido crossed his arms, put on a grave expression, and stroked his chin.
“Well, of course you just work and go straight home, and your mouth is a little rough for dating, and the only people you meet are folks like Actor Jung Yunwoo, Actor Lee Youngbin, Actor Ha Jaeban, or Actor Sun Jiyoon—basically just people in the industry. But a true pro prepares for anything, you know.”
Yeah. You never know.
Our Yeohu is overflowing with charm, so it could happen.
At that moment, Yeohu sighed and answered.
“She recognized me on the street. She happened to be watching the commercial, so I just greeted her.”
At Jeon Yeohu’s answer, Koo Gido’s face immediately relaxed.
“Is that all~? Our Actor Jeon Yeohu is a real star now, huh? With your looks and talent, it’s no wonder the whole country knows you. Since I’ve handed you your wallet, I’ll get going. Unless you want a ride home?”
“It’s okay. You should head home, hyung.”
“Alright, got it. Since tomorrow’s filming is in the afternoon, I’ll pick you up around 4. Since we’re starting late, filming might go until night, so make sure you sleep well.”
—
After seeing Gido hyung off, I bought four cans of beer and went home.
I didn’t even drink the big four cans of beer; I just put them straight into the fridge.
It was a habit I’d had since before my regression.
Whenever I felt strange, I’d buy alcohol I had no intention of drinking and put it in the fridge.
Filming was going smoothly, and would air soon. When it did, more and more people would recognize my name.
After all, I chose the right project, and the right role.
Things I forgot while acting would always come back to me as soon as my schedule ended and I returned home.
That I’d regressed, and that the only condition of my regression was [Do not act].
I want to act twenty-four hours a day.
At that moment, for the first time in a while, a system window appeared before my eyes, not by my own will, but from another force.
[Regressor Jeon Yeohu, has your life improved since your regression?]
“I’m not sure. I can’t really say.”
[I see. Have you ever considered that this is because you haven’t followed the system’s advice?]
[The system is generous. I will give you another chance to return to the main quest.]
[If you stop acting, you’ll be freed from the worries you’re having now.]
“So many useless words.”
[The system wants only one thing: to support you in using the opportunity you gained through regression to its fullest.]
“If that’s all, you’ve got it wrong.”
Is this stupid system still not getting the point?
“Doesn’t it make sense, by now, to give me something more helpful instead of talking about quests?”
[If you choose to take the main quest again, it will be before the filming—]
“Never mind, something else.”
[You really are the most stubborn regressor I’ve ever seen.]
“Yeah, yeah. I told you, I’ve already made my decision. This regressor—has made up his mind.”
[Understood. There must be a reason why someone like you was given this chance.]
[Checking the possibility of handling your inquiry.]
[Processing possible]
[We will find you a new reward.]
[Calculating a reward that can be given to Regressor Jeon Yeohu.]
[There are lives you have changed.]
[The system has determined that this change has a significant impact on your survival.]
[A reward has been determined for this.]
“But you must be busy, always handling inquiries and calculations.”
[I work within regulated hours.]
“Not that I’m worried about you or anything.”
[The designated reward is ‘Reverse Shop System.’]
“Reverse Shop? The shop that gave out those crazy items? I already unlocked that reward, didn’t I?”
[Previously, you could only access the Reverse Shop at certain times, but now, you can use it anytime you wish.]
So, I finally met the condition.
“Anytime I want?”
[Yes. Also, you can now purchase some of the items available in the regular shop through the Reverse Shop.]
[Would you like to check out the Reverse Shop?]
“I will, but let me change clothes first.”
[You’re the first regressor to take so long to check your reward.]
“That’s possible.”
I changed into my soft pajamas, the kind that soothe both body and soul, climbed onto my bed, and called up the system window again.
[Pajamas with a cat print in ivory? That’s quite a cute taste you have.]
“You have eyes, system?”
[I can only see when you open the window, so don’t worry.]
“Fine, open the shop.”
[Opening Reverse Shop.]
[Feel free to browse.]
The system window disappeared after finishing its explanation.
Behind the vanished system window was a window; I undid the latch, turned the window handle clockwise, and with a squeak, the window opened.
As soon as it opened, I could see the items lined up in the shop.
There were five items in total.
Among them was the [Best Acting One-Time Coupon] I’d seen before.
Of course, it was an item that had produced amazing results, but I didn’t want to use it in anymore.
I scanned through the other items on display and stopped at one spot.
‘That item looks interesting.’