Chapter 144: Chasing the Lead

“S-Starring role?”

The word “protagonist” left both the production company rep and the director visibly flustered.

“Haha, do you really think I’d come all this way just to push for a supporting male lead spot?”

With his current drama—where he played the male lead—smashing box office records and love calls pouring in from every corner, a supporting male lead role was no longer on the table for Hyunjae. 

And they knew that full well, which was why they’d requested this meeting so quickly.

“Ah…….”

They showed clear signs of panic toward Hyungkyu, who was demanding the lead role.

“You hadn’t even considered it at all, had you?”

“Haha, we know all too well how amazingly your drama is doing right now, Mr. Hyunjae, and just how popular it is.”

The production rep, sandwiched in the middle, tried to mediate by praising Hyunjae to open the conversation.

“But we’ve already settled on Han Jeongwoo for the lead role.”

“Ah~ Han Jeongwoo?”

“Yes, he’s fresh out of the military and signed on to do this as his comeback project with us. Even so, taking a supporting role opposite Han Jeongwoo wouldn’t be a bad deal for you, Mr. Hyunjae, right?”

They tried to coax him by bringing up Han Jeongwoo.

They sure love Han Jeongwoo.

But Hyungkyu already knew the truth: Han Jeongwoo was just window-shopping; nothing was set in stone.

“A supporting spot opposite Han Jeongwoo sounds great~ But what are we supposed to do when our Hyunjae here has fallen head over heels for the lead character’s vibe? Heh heh. Isn’t it the agency’s job to let our actors chase what they want?”

What could they do when the actor himself wanted the lead character? Still, they kept trying to persuade Hyungkyu.

“It’s a supporting male lead, sure, but if Mr. Hyunjae takes it, we could bump up his screen time even more…….”

“And Netflixia loves Han Jeongwoo—if you two teamed up, it’d definitely leave a solid mark there too…….”

“Ah, sure~”

But Hyungkyu let their words go in one ear and out the other.

Do they think I’m dumb enough to fall for this nonsense?

The landscape had already shifted too much to even discuss a supporting male lead. 

Scripts for male lead roles were stacking up even before his current drama wrapped—why on earth would he jump into a supporting spot?

“It’s a shame. Our boy really enjoyed the script and was excited about it…… But it doesn’t look like it’s the right fit for us. Sorry about that.”

Hyungkyu stated his firm refusal without mincing words.

“Just give us a little more time to think—”

“I’ll definitely watch the drama when it airs. Looking forward to it.”

Having clearly stated they wouldn’t participate, he ended the meeting and immediately called Hyunjae the second he stepped out.

“They’re offering a supporting male lead spot? It’s ridiculous.”

– That was the role you initially thought of, wasn’t it, sir?

“That was before Love Some aired. We’ve already crossed the point of no return.”

Laughter came through the receiver from Hyunjae.

“So I told them exactly what you said.”

– I’m excited. Wonder how it’ll play out.

“But seriously, you don’t need to look at any other projects? You’ve got a ton coming in.”

Hyungkyu had recommended this one, but with so many others flooding in now, there was no real need to cling to it. Still, he’d come this far because Hyunjae wanted it.

– I’ll check those out too. But I’m not giving up on this one.

“You really think Han Jeongwoo won’t take it? They seemed totally convinced.”

– I’m convinced too. Han Jeongwoo isn’t doing this project.

There were times when Hyungkyu wondered what gave this kid such unshakable confidence, but since he’d never been wrong once, there was nothing left to do but trust him.

“Anyway, we’ve done everything we can for now, so let’s wait and see.”

– Yes, thank you.

“Alright. Nail that fan meeting, then get some solid rest.”

– I’m here to work, though?

“Exactly. Prep your mindset for when you come back to Korea.”

– Huh?

“I’ve got things to handle—hanging up.”

Hyungkyu cut the call before Hyunjae could respond and walked off with light steps.

****

“Ooh~ So cool! Just a slight tilt of the head! Yeah, like that~”

He’d told Hyunjae to prepare his mindset for returning to Korea, but the moment he arrived, a schedule he hadn’t even known about popped up.

“We at the brand thought these would suit you perfectly, Mr. Hyunjae, so we prepared them—but I hope they catch your eye.”

“Wow~ Thank you! I kept thinking how gorgeous they looked during the shoot.”

“This isn’t for an ad or sponsorship—it’s a pure gift, so no need to post on Star Talk or anything. Just wear them comfortably.”

He’d come to shoot a fashion pictorial for a luxury brand, and they’d gifted him shoes and a suit.

How much must all this cost…….

Even a rough glance showed they were worth at least ten million won, handed over not as promo items but as genuine presents.

Is this just how a star’s life is?

Receiving gifts worth months of someone else’s salary still didn’t feel normal to him.

“We loved how you wore our brand’s outfit at the press conference. It really suited you, Mr. Hyunjae.”

“Ah~ No, it’s just because the clothes were so pretty.”

He hadn’t even realized he’d worn that brand’s outfit at the press conference—that must’ve been why this pictorial gig came his way.

“Mr. Hyunjae, could we borrow you for a quick interview?”

“Ah, sure. Of course.”

“Then I’ll step out for now.”

The brand rep excused themselves for the interview, and it proceeded with the magazine staff.

“First off, Love Some is pulling in massive popularity right now—what are your thoughts?”

“I’m so grateful everyone’s loving Kang Ha. Honestly, it still doesn’t feel real.”

“The recent airport crowd situation has been making waves too.”

“I was totally caught off guard. I’m thankful so many came to see me, but since it’s a public space and could get dangerous, I’d appreciate it if everyone held back a bit. Instead, I’ll make sure to show up more in front of you all.”

The questions were all pretty straightforward, so answering wasn’t tough.

“And you recently said your goal was to see your face on a billboard.”

“Yeah, I was dead serious about it, but everyone just laughed.”

“It was cute. But it feels like that might happen soon?”

“Hahaha, that would be amazing.”

It was true that ads were rolling in thick and fast—he’d even shot a couple—but nothing about billboards yet.

“You’ll get there soon. So, any role models?”

“Role model…….”

The word “role model” gave him a moment’s pause. Then he spoke up.

“Jung Jaehyun.”

“Ah~ You mean yourself, Mr. Hyunjae? Like, no one specific—you’re your own role model?”

The editor seemed to mishear “Jaehyun” as “Hyunjae,” so he repeated the name.

“No, I mean senior Jung Jaehyun.”

“Jung Jae……hyun?”

“Yes.”

“Ah…….”

The unexpected name left the editor flustered, trailing off.

“Y-Yeah, got it. Haha, well…… He was flawless as an actor. Ah…… Yeah…….”

She forced a smile and brushed past it.

This part probably won’t make the cut in the interview.

Reporters would’ve jumped on it as juicy fodder, but magazine interviews were different—he knew it wouldn’t see print.

“So, last but not least, we can’t skip the next project question. Any set plans?”

“I’ve wrapped one indie film, and I’m still hunting for something that fits me.”

“We’re so looking forward to it. What kind of performance will we see this time?”

“Expect a lot!”

The short interview wrapped up, and after one more outfit change, the pictorial shoot finally ended.

“Hyung, drop me off at that role…….”

“Not anymore.”

He’d been about to ask to be dropped at his usual spot, like always, but Hayoon shut it down before he could finish.

“Huh? Why not?”

“People recognize you too much now.”

“It’s fine…….”

Getting recognized wasn’t that big a deal.

“The CEO said it’s risky with crowds suddenly swarming—he doesn’t want it anymore.”

“But this is so inefficient…….”

Hayoon couldn’t keep shuttling back and forth down that street forever.

“I’ll wear a mask and hat and be careful. Honestly, it’s not that bad yet.”

Even way more famous people walked around with just masks on fine.

“He told me to drive you all the way home whenever possible now.”

“This is getting ridiculous…….”

It felt like massive overestimation—he wasn’t so popular he couldn’t walk around. He’d have to talk to the CEO about it.

“Huh? This isn’t the way to our place, though? Where are we going?”

“Quick stop before we head back.”

“Where?”

“It’s a secret.”

Hayoon, calling it a secret, seemed oddly excited for some reason, so Hyunjae stopped asking and waited quietly.

“Huh? This is……!”

The car pulled up in the owner’s neighborhood.

“No way?”

“Let’s hop out here for a sec.”

Hayoon parked briefly on the roadside and led him to a nearby crosswalk. Right atop the building in front of it loomed a massive billboard.

“Just wait a moment…… Oh! There it is!”

And moments later, the outdoor brand ad he’d shot recently appeared on that billboard.

“Ah…….”

He stared up at it in a daze.

“Hyung, how’d you know about this spot?”

This was the billboard visible straight ahead from the owner’s apartment window. 

That’s why, from the owner’s place, peeking out the window always meant seeing the owner’s face.

“You kept staring at it every time we passed by.”

“Ah…….”

It had become a habit, instinctively checking if the owner’s face might pop up. 

Hayoon’s thoughtfulness was truly top-tier.

“When you told me about it, the brand side wanted to do it as an event, so I asked them to put it here.”

“Thanks. I love it!”

And there was another reason he wanted to appear here.

Finally, no more of that face.

Ever since Han Jeongwoo blew up, his face had been plastered here nonstop, souring the mood—but with his military enlistment ending the ad contract, or maybe Hyunjae’s ad pushing it out, that face was gone now.

“Starting in a few days, the Dewi ad will run here too.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Wow~”

He couldn’t see the owner’s face anymore, but filling that spot in his place felt good.

“Oh! It’s back!”

A few more celeb ads played, then his came up again.

“Gotta snap a pic.”

He captured the moment in a photo.

“Now that one’s checked off, what’s next?”

“Next…… Hyung, how much do you think that place costs?”

As he pondered, the owner’s impossibly towering apartment building came into view.

“That one? It’s gotta be crazy expensive…….”

Built on notoriously pricey land, it was a luxury high-rise that even most celebs found daunting.

“Then that’s my next goal.”

He wanted the house where the owner had lived, and bit by bit, he planned to restore everything to how it once was.

***

“What the? That’s my ad, isn’t it?”

Jeongwoo, lounging at home, glanced out the window—and there on the billboard outside was the outdoor brand ad he’d done. 

But some other actor was wearing it.

“Ha! They begged me nonstop for just one shoot as model.”

He was pissed at the brand for ditching him the second he enlisted.

“Beg all you want—I’ll never touch that ad again. Just wait till I discharge; I’ll jump straight to a competitor. But who’s that guy?”

Jeongwoo, who paid no mind to up-and-comers, didn’t recognize Hyunjae’s face.

“Probably just some cheap no-name they’re using to cut costs—sales will tank before they wake up.”

He consoled himself that he still had tons of ads lined up, but curiosity got him—he searched who the model was.

“Jeong Hyunjae?”

He pulled up the name and face.

“Fresh-faced rookie, huh.”

Not worth a second thought, so he skimmed the face and moved on. 

But a few days later, after seeing Hyunjae, his mind completely changed.