Chapter 39: Summoning a Handsome Guy?

“Hey. Of course we’ll succeed. What are you even talking about?”

In reality, the two of us do succeed. The problem is what comes after.

At my reply, Jung Yun-woo laughed heartily.

“Yeah, you’re right! If you win an award later, you better mention my name. You basically got into this industry thanks to me.”

Before I knew it, Jung Yun-woo had climbed up on stage and thrown his arm over my shoulder.

“Got it?”

“Then you do it too.”

“Huh?”

“If you win an award, say that you improved so much at acting thanks to actor Jeon Yeo-hoo.”

“Ha! Of course I will! It’s a bet then, yeah?”

Jung Yun-woo, apparently not interested in acting any further, left the small theater early for a change, and we both headed back to our own homes.

—

Six months into filming .

 was entering its final editing phase, and Joo Tae-kang lamented the fact that I wouldn’t be present at the production press conference held the day before airing.

[You’re supposed to be at the production press conference. Honestly, the director even tried to bring you, but you—yes, you! You’re still just a rookie, and there are rumors you turned him down! So I’m reaching out personally. Is it true?]

He was so regretful about it that I felt pressured.

Actually, what Joo Tae-kang said about me refusing the director’s request wasn’t wrong.

Since Exorcist Office is a 12-episode series and I appear until the very end, there was just no way for me to fit the press conference into my schedule.

Besides, the role I played in  wasn’t that significant—not enough for them to go out of their way to make such a request.

Jung Yun-woo appears until the final episode, so he at least had a reason to attend the production conference, but my role ends around episodes 2 or 3. It wasn’t like they needed me there.

‘And honestly, it’s better to invest time in something that’ll really take off.’

 is a good drama, but in my previous life it tanked in the ratings because Joo Tae-kang wasn’t the lead.

‘In other words, even if it goes well, there’s no telling just how well it’ll actually do.’

But  is different.

 is the flagship drama for a new OTT service in Korea, and it’s already set to claim the title of #1 drama for paid subscribers for years to come.

Well, another actor was originally supposed to play Jung Chan-yul, but that’s no issue.

Because I did well.

“What kind of useless thoughts are you having again?”

Seon Ji-yoon approached, picking a fight as usual.

“What’s there to think about as Jung Chan-yul? I’m only thinking about Lee Ha-ryeong.”

“Lee Ha-ryeong must be exhausted after exorcising ghosts all alone. Even my talisman ink is running out.”

“Want a massage, sunbae?”

When I grinned at her, Seon Ji-yoon finally looked around suspiciously, as if realizing something was off.

And as expected!

Seon Ji-yoon spotted a staff member not far away filming the two of us.

“How many times do I have to tell you not to get conscious just because they’re shooting the making-of?”

“Haha, when did I ever? I’m always polite and gentle to our Lee Ha-ryeong, as usual.”

Behind-the-scenes videos are the best way to attract viewers who might not watch the drama.

Even people uninterested in the show will at least check out the first episode if they see good chemistry or camaraderie in the making-of.

Besides, Jung Chan-yul is someone who blindly compliments and adores Lee Ha-ryeong, so there were plenty of editing points for the making-of.

Our conversation must have been coming out nicely on film, because before I knew it the camera had crept right up to us.

I didn’t miss the opportunity, fixing my gaze straight into the lens and making my best sad-kitten face.

“Everyone, I think Lee Ha-ryeong just isn’t going to accept me.”

“Jung Chan-yul, when did I ever say that?”

“Then there’s no reason to have turned down my date request so many times…….”

“Hey, that’s in the script!”

Even Seon Ji-yoon’s flustered reaction was caught well by the camera.

The staff member, satisfied he’d gotten what he needed, gave a thumbs-up and quietly left.

I gave him a thumbs-up in my mind, and when I looked at Seon Ji-yoon, she grumbled and snatched away the camping chair I’d been sitting in just moments before.

“What are you looking at?”

“Nothing, just impressed by how quickly you recover.”

“It was obvious what kind of scene you were aiming for. Anyway, sit down. Soon it’ll be Ha Jae-ban and Choi Geon-hyung sunbae’s scene.”

Just as Seon Ji-yoon said, today was practically Ha Jae-ban and Choi Geon-hyung’s day, given how many scenes they had.

Which meant, of course, that Seon Ji-yoon and I would be waiting a long time.

I opened up another chair beside her and sat down.

As Ha Jae-ban and Choi Geon-hyung rehearsed and shot their scenes, I didn’t take my eyes off them for a second.

Good acting shines anywhere.

Those two shine because they’re truly good actors.

“I told you to speak.”

They turn their heads to where the camera’s pointed, mind the lens even as they walk. It’s plain to see.

“What do you want to ask me now? You were the one who told me to leave, saying you couldn’t stand a jerk like me in the house.”

“And you think that’s something you can say to the brother who bailed you out at the police station?”

“Yeah, I can say it. You haven’t changed one bit since forever. Always thinking you’re better than everyone else.”

“You little punk—!”

“Take care of yourself. When have you ever listened to me till the end?”

Ha Jae-ban suddenly grabs Choi Geon-hyung by the collar and spits out everything he’s wanted to say.

He doesn’t care if he spits while yelling, or if he’s looking handsome on camera.

Just like a younger brother who’s held back all his life, never once daring to say what he really felt to his older brother.

Ha Jae-ban’s character, Choi Sun, is the younger brother of Choi Taek. He loves his brother as family, but also suffers from an inferiority complex, eventually becoming possessed by a ghost. When Choi Taek exorcises that ghost, the brothers’ deep misunderstandings are finally resolved.

After that, Choi Sun develops the ability to see ghosts like his brother, and regains an interest in human psychology—leading him to resume the studies he once gave up as a student. It’s a heartwarming story.

In my previous life, a different actor played the role, and I’d been worried, but Ha Jae-ban has far exceeded my expectations.

Child actor turned retired actor Ha Jae-ban has truly found a new self in this second life.

—

On my way home after successfully finishing filming, I checked out TAM’s newest ad that I’d shot recently.

– I’m jealous.

– What?

– We’re not even dating, you know?

This ad, which covered college life after Kim Un-yul and I became a couple, and also introduced Lee Young-bin’s new love, was just as much a hot topic as the previous one.

It had climbed to number 4 among trending videos, and my social media followers were skyrocketing.

One week after release: over 1.5 million views.

Considering the TAM ad only reached about a million in my previous life, this growth was insane.

I read every single comment.

– 12:34 Male lead’s personal color is probably “tears”

– I saw the thumbnail and rushed over like a madman

– Finally, the one-sided love is over ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ The chronic second-lead syndrome is crying here

– What’s this actor’s name?

When I used to work as an actor before my regression, I didn’t often read comments on my videos or social media.

I hated the idea that my mood for the day could be ruined by a comment I’d never seen before, and I always lived on edge in the entertainment world.

I thought that if I just succeeded, I’d be happy, but who could have known another kind of hell was waiting for me after success.

But in this life, after regaining my memories, I made a promise to myself.

To read every comment from the people who cherish me.

To truly feel the love in those words.

Because for someone like me, who didn’t know how to care for others, love, or forgive, the only way to relearn those feelings was through the comments of people who loved my acting.

I read each comment, imprinting every word on my heart.

There were people who said they liked my face, others who praised my acting.

“Hyung, I’ll get out here and walk the rest of the way today.”

“Hm? Not going all the way home?”

“Yeah, I just want to walk for a bit.”

Can someone really love me this much without even knowing who I am?

It’s a strange feeling.

—

A convenience store near the intersection of one-room apartments by Korea Art University.

A freshman from Korea Art University’s Western Painting Department had just bought a can of beer and was heading home.

Knowing she’d have to get back to her art project as soon as she got back, she never let go of her phone even for a second, even during her evening walk. Her goal on the way home: binge all the YouTube videos she’d missed because of classes and projects.

“This many views for an ad?”

A ten-minute web drama-style ad popped up on her algorithm.

Given that her feed was always full of videos with handsome men and beautiful women, this video showing up meant there must be a really good-looking cast.

She didn’t hesitate to click, and instantly, a stunningly handsome man appeared on screen.

Normally, she would have watched while walking, but for the first time, she stood frozen under the streetlight, staring intently at the video.

She was watching the second episode of TAM’s smartphone commercial series.

– Yu-jin, wait a minute. I…

– What’s wrong with you, seriously?

– I just… I like you too much.

– But I have friends too, you know. I can’t spend every day with you.

– Sorry. I’m sorry, Yu-jin. So… will you forgive me? Please?

It’s a mundane, ordinary scenario of a boyfriend starting a fight because his girlfriend is going out with her club, but…

– I think I liked you too much. I won’t do that anymore.

Even knowing how noisy a smoke-filled bar alley is…

– Don’t say you want to break up.

From a close-up shot of the male actor’s hand clutching his girlfriend’s collar, to his trembling voice and the tears dropping from his eyes.

And the female actor’s finger gently wiping his tears away, looking sorry for him.

– So, you like me?

– Yes. So, can I have your number?

– Huh? Oh, uh. Should I say yes? It’s my first festival, you know.

– Wait, are you a freshman?

– Hey! She’s getting picked up by a freshman!!! Wow, she’s still got it!!

Even the sub-male lead who seems to be bringing new love.

“Crazy…”

Her algorithm had shown her countless handsome men and beautiful women; it’d be a lie to say she’d never seen someone this good-looking before.

But who cares.

Right now, this actor was the one who had entered her heart.

Maybe the feeling would fade in less than a day, following the whims of her algorithm, but at least tonight, she’d be using it to find out the name of the male actor in this TAM ad.

Let’s hurry home and watch it on the big TV.

“Oh.”

And just as she lifted her head, the very same actor she’d seen in the video was standing in the middle of the street.

What is this?

Have I seen so many handsome men that I’ve actually developed the ability to summon them? If so, there are way too many people I want to summon.

“Is this for real?”

“Excuse me…?”