Top Star by Luck

Chapter 123

The results were out.

Just one day after the audition ended.

Before the results were delivered to the successful candidates, Lee Min Ki, who had already received the notification, muttered quietly.

“This is how it turned out.”

“Yes, this is how it turned out.”

Director Seo Jung Woo spoke up.

“When we select based purely on skill, this is what happens.”

Three people were selected, and all of them were familiar to Lee Min Ki.

Lee Min Ki slowly recited their names.

“Mr. Tak, Ms. Seon Ah, and Mr. Ji Hwan.”

Indeed.

The three people he had recommended were the final winners of the JC audition.

All the candidates recruited by JC were eliminated.

Especially Eun Ki Joo, who seemed to be dismissed outright without consideration.

‘The result is satisfying, but it feels like favoritism somehow.’

What was this strange feeling?

As his mind became increasingly conflicted, Director Seo Jung Woo spoke up.

“This result wasn’t made with your preferences in mind. JC’s audition process is not that lenient.”

“Hmm, how was the process conducted?”

“That’s a secret.”

It felt slightly disappointing, but Director Seo trailed off before adding something.

“However, since you’ll be working with JC from now on, I suppose I can share it with you.”

As he smiled faintly, Lee Min Ki let out a small laugh.

So, he was someone they planned to keep around long-term.

Were they trying to pitch to him even here?

As he realized the undertones woven into the conversation, Director Seo continued.

“At JC, there are five individuals, including CEO Goo In Mo and myself, who hold decision-making authority over auditions.”

“Does Trainer Kim Ah Sung count among them?”

“He’s an external advisor. He can offer input but doesn’t have final decision-making power.”

It was a subtle but clear boundary.

Director Seo continued.

“This audition was no different. Although your opinion was taken into account, the final decision required unanimous agreement from all five members.”

“Does it always require unanimous consent?”

“Yes, that was also the case when we scouted you. Even if the CEO approves, one opposing vote means it’s over.”

That seemed tougher than expected.

Even if three candidates were lined up at the audition stage, they essentially had to pass through the unknown individuals behind the scenes as well.

That explained why people said getting into JC was so difficult.

“Can you tell me who the five decision-makers are?”

Curious, Lee Min Ki asked.

“That’s a secret.”

Director Seo responded with a small smile.

“Just revealing who they are could compromise the fairness of the process.”

“That makes sense.”

It was thorough.

They really selected people with exacting standards.

There seemed to be no room for corruption whatsoever.

But hearing that also gave him a sense of relief.

‘They really were chosen based on merit.’

It was now clear that Kim Tak, Yoo Seon Ah, and Kim Ji Hwan were selected purely for their abilities, with no influence from personal connections.

Feeling relieved, Lee Min Ki spoke up.

“When will the results be delivered?”

“In about a week.”

“Well then.”

Wouldn’t it be fun to deliver the results in an interesting way?

At the theater, Fashion and Passion officially premiered.

Lee Min Ki, who had risen to fame in just three films, collaborated with Hwang Ui Seong, one of Korea’s top three directors.

Adding to the excitement, Yoo Gyu Eon, the designer who had recently made waves internationally for his work in fashion, personally handled the designs.

[“This is a must-watch.”]

Although Fashion and Passion emphasized artistry, it sparked extraordinary enthusiasm among fans from the very first day of its release.

“This looks like it’s going to be really fun, right?”

“I’m not going for the fun.”

"Then?"

"Let's go see Lee Min Ki's face."

"Well, just looking at Lee Min Ki is fun."

The early morning of the premiere day.

The first screening time.

The movie theater felt somewhat quiet, but tickets for Fashion and Fashion were already half sold out.

As a result, there was someone who couldn't stand the situation.

"Why does everyone keep looking for Lee Min Ki?"

The part-timer at the concession stand muttered.

"Lee Min Ki, Lee Min Ki... I feel like my ears are worn out just hearing his name now."

She didn’t dislike Lee Min Ki.

However, the movie Fashion and Fashion was running a promotion where ordering a set menu came with a Lee Min Ki poster.

Having to repeatedly look at Lee Min Ki's poster and photo book was starting to get tiring.

"Why is he so popular? He's not even my type."

The fact that his face wasn't her type also contributed to her feelings.

Her coworker chuckled and commented, "Noona, why are you saying that? Lee Min Ki is handsome and a great actor."

"He's just okay."

The part-timer brushed off the remark with a sharp retort.

"Sure, he's handsome, but he's not sculpturally handsome, you know?"

That was true.

Lee Min Ki’s face was striking enough to catch attention, but it wasn’t the kind of breathtaking beauty associated with a chiseled sculpture.

"His proportions... Can he qualify as a model? Maybe, maybe not."

This was another fair point.

Lee Min Ki’s proportions leaned toward the ambiguous side.

Better than an average person, but not quite professional model material.

"Well, at least his acting is good, right?"

"His acting is fine, but there are better actors. If you look at older actors, there are so many better ones."

This boiled down to personal preference.

But the comparison was a bit unfair.

Actors with better acting skills than Lee Min Ki were usually seasoned veterans in their 40s or older.

Moreover, it was extremely rare to find actors who matched Lee Min Ki's level of visuals in that group.

"Noona, you seem to hate Lee Min Ki too much."

"I don't hate him. It's just that the internet overrates him so much."

The part-timer scoffed and said,

"Even in Fashion and Fashion, it’s the same. Why does everyone only talk about Lee Min Ki? People only take his poster when there are better-looking actors."

"Really? Who’s better?"

"This guy, of course."

With that, the part-timer pulled out a poster and proudly showed it off.

The glossy, high-quality print displayed a face.

"Kang Se Hwang?"

It was actor Kang Se Hwang.

In Fashion and Fashion, he played the role of [No Young Hoon].

You know, the older guy who lured the protagonist, [Lee Jong Ho], into the modeling industry.

"Wait, Kang Se Hwang here?"

The coworker, who referred to her as noona, felt his thoughts spinning.

"Was Kang Se Hwang a handsome actor?"

Not really.

He fit more into the category of a scruffy, seasoned character with the wear and tear of life etched onto his face.

A thin, indifferent face that looked like it could handle smoking a few packs a day.

So, that was her type?

To each their own.

But still, saying Kang Se Hwang was better than Lee Min Ki?

Maybe if it was Heo Soo Oh, who had a minor role, then it might make sense.

"..."

"Look at Kang Se Hwang. Handsome, talented, gentlemanly. Isn’t he the best actor in Korea? Honestly, Fashion and Fashion should’ve had Kang Se Hwang as the protagonist instead of Lee Min Ki."

She was, without a doubt, an avid fan of Kang Se Hwang.

Not just Kang Se Hwang, but she adored any middle-aged male character who exuded a charismatic, mature aura in dramas or movies.

"Noona, then what about Heo Soo Oh?"

"Too bony for me."

"But he’s tall and cool!"

"My neck hurts just thinking about it."

She had a taste as steadfast as a pine tree.

With a slightly pouty face, she fiddled with a poster of Kang Se Hwang and spoke.

“Only Lee Min Ki’s posters are selling out. How many have sold already? My favorite actor’s posters are just piling up.”

Ah, so that’s why she didn’t like Lee Min Ki.

While Kang Se Hwang’s posters remained unsold, Lee Min Ki’s posters were selling out by the morning.

“Noona, I’ll respect your taste.”

“Then you should watch all of Kang Se Hwang’s films too.”

“That’s a bit...”

“How about coming over after work and binge-watching them at my place?”

He was about to say yes.

“Just kidding. Go flip the popcorn instead.”

“Che.”

What a shame.

While the two of them were using a moment of downtime to chat—

“Hello.”

“Oh.”

A voice came from the counter.

At that voice, the female staff member flinched.

‘Oh no, I got too distracted by the conversation.’

This wasn’t the time to keep a customer waiting.

As she prepared to clear her throat with a small cough, the customer placed an order.

“One Fashion Set, please. Oh, and make the soda a diet cola.”

Here, the Fashion Set referred to a special menu sold in celebration of the Fashion and Passion movie premiere at the theater.

It was an ordinary popcorn and cola set, but it included a limited-edition poster as a bonus.

“Got it. One Fashion Set.”

He’ll probably pick a Lee Min Ki poster again.

Grumbling internally, the staff member began inputting the order into the system.

‘Huh?’

The customer’s demeanor seemed unusual.

He wore a cap on his head and a mask over his face.

His outfit was simple—a loose black hoodie and jeans.

There was nothing remarkable about his appearance, maybe even giving off the vibe of someone shy or inconspicuous.

But for some reason—

‘Why does he look so cool?’

The customer’s aura was anything but ordinary.

His head was proportionately small, his eyes—barely visible—radiated a gentle energy, and his shoulders were broad.

Even through the loose hoodie, his upper body displayed a noticeable V-shape.

His long, lean legs appeared slim at first glance, but they revealed defined, firm muscles.

And then, there was his voice.

‘It’s so captivating.’

His pronunciation and tone were exceptionally clear and striking.

Receiving just one order made her mind race.

She suddenly wanted to pull down the mask covering his face.

He must be incredibly handsome.

Handsome, with a great physique and an appealing voice—he must be wildly popular outside.

Just as her thoughts reached this conclusion—

“Excuse me.”

The staff member who had been joking with her earlier hesitated and then asked cautiously while glancing at the customer.

“Sorry to bother you, but are you perhaps actor Lee Min Ki?”

“Ah.”

At that moment.

The customer gave a small smile and lightly touched his mask with his fingers before responding.

“I get that a lot.”

“...!”

The female staff member felt her heart sink.

‘This person is definitely Lee Min Ki.’

She was absolutely sure, her senses confirming it beyond her sight and hearing.

Only his eyes and body were visible.

Yet, Lee Min Ki’s entire presence radiated an unmistakable, overwhelming aura that couldn’t be hidden.

‘Did he come to watch a movie alone?’

Most likely.

If he came alone during an early morning show, it seemed highly possible.

‘Amazing.’

She had seen many actors before, but it was rare to encounter someone this stunning in person.

"Excuse me, are you okay?"

"Ah, ah, I apologize. Yes, I, um."

Even the voice sounded like an actor's.

With just a few words of conversation, she felt completely overpowered and spoke in a trembling voice.

"Your ordered cola and popcorn... which poster would you like?"

"The one with Kang Se Hwang, please."

"…! Yes, here it is!"

"Thank you. Have a great day."

After Lee Min Ki gave his polite farewell and walked away,

the part-timer at the adjacent counter mumbled in amazement.

"Wow, he's really handsome."

The female part-timer who heard this agreed.

"Right... he really is."

Walking away from the concession stand, Lee Min Ki looked at the popcorn with a cheerful expression.

"This is the first time in so long."

This wasn’t just any popcorn.

It was the unhealthy movie theater popcorn.

The kind covered in seasoning, guaranteed to make you gain weight the moment you ate it.

He had endured so much just to enjoy this one box.

[Want some popcorn? You can have it.]

The sacrifices set by Trainer Kwon Joon Yong came to mind.

[But do two more sets.]

[What?]

[Make it three more sets.]

[What?]

[Four more sets.]

[Oh.]

Just recalling it made his legs tremble.

But he had endured.

Like a farmer gazing at golden fields during harvest season, Lee Min Ki’s heart was filled with excitement from early morning.

"Ah, I waited so long for this."

The bonus poster was excellent too.

Since he got the Kang Se Hwang poster, next time he planned to grab the Heo Soo Oh one as well.

Truthfully, while he was thrilled about the popcorn, there was an even bigger reason for his excitement today.

And that reason was—

"I’ve been waiting for this day."

It was the chance to watch Fashion and Fashion in the theater.

Lee Min Ki's heart raced with joy.

Although he had seen the completed film in advance, watching it in a theater on release day with general audiences felt entirely different.

Especially watching it during the first screening.

He had originally planned to come with acquaintances, but this time he visited alone.

Why?

Because going with others drew too much attention, making it hard to focus on the movie.

Besides, he could always watch it again with friends later.

"A truly great movie is best enjoyed five times."

Lee Min Ki lived true to his inner cinephile without holding back.

"Three minutes left now."

He had just entered the theater and was waiting for the screening to begin when—

"Hey, about this movie."

A voice came from the row behind him.

"How many people do you think will watch it?"