Superstar From Age 0

Chapter 40: A Superstar from Birth

“Did you have a good day?”

“Yes!”

He had just returned home after finishing all the filming.

His mother, seo Eun-hye, was planning to take care of his grandmother, who had been discharged from the hospital, at her place.

So there was only Lee Min-jun at home.

He had come back from work, but the house was empty.

It was so lonely.

Lee Min-jun hugged Seo-jun tightly. Seo-jun also giggled and hugged his dad back.

“Well, I’m going now.”

Kim Hee-sang waved his hand at the father and son who were having a heartfelt reunion.

He was about to go home and enjoy his vacation, but Lee Min-jun grabbed his shoulder.

“What? Why again?”

“Do you want to go to America with me?”

Lee Min-jun smiled kindly, but Kim Hee-sang felt a chill.

“America?!”

Seo-jun tilted his head as he took out the autograph he got from Ji-seok hyung and the gifts from his grandparents from his goblin bag.

America? Why America?

“Uncle Hee-sang. Go to America?”

“Yes.”

“No! I won’t go! Why me?”

Kim Hee-sang shouted, but Lee Min-jun dragged him into the living room.

The three of them sat around the table.

“Why America all of a sudden?”

“Director Shadowman wants to sign a movie contract with Seo-jun. He said he would come here if we don’t go there, but that’s too much pressure. And since we’re going anyway, why don’t we let Seo-jun play with Jack at amusement parks and stuff?”

Movie! Seo-jun’s eyes lit up as he ate the watermelon that Lee Min-jun had prepared in advance.

“Then you can go, right?”

“I can’t because of work.”

“Me do movie again?”

“If Seo-jun wants to, after reading the synopsis?”

“Woohoo!!”

Seo-jun raised both his hands. He had just finished one movie, and another one came up.

Wait, hold on.

Is it another extra role?

Seo-jun wanted to do all the roles he could at this age.

He decided to follow his dad’s advice and see what kind of movie it was first by reading the synopsis.

“So, come to our company.”

“You mean your company, not ours.”

Kim Hee-sang muttered.

The company had grown enough to sign contracts with factories, but it was hard to find someone he could trust and work with.

When his dream-like vacation was over, Kim Hee-sang would have a lot of things to deal with by himself.

Before that, he needed a really trustworthy employee.

For example, someone who had been his friend since middle school, who was reliable and who would use the money wisely as an investor’s son.

Lee Min-jun!

“Come on, seo-jun invested his money from YouTube, too. Then it’s Seo-jun’s company, too, right? I don’t have anyone I can trust and entrust. If you join, I’ll make you a co-CEO.”

Lee Min-jun pondered over Kim Hee-sang’s words.

“When I have to go with Seo-jun like this, I can’t go because of work. And who knows when I’ll have to go abroad for a business trip? And it might even double or triple the duration like last time. If you come to our company, I’ll adjust your schedule diligently! I’ll pay you a lot, too! And you’ll only have to work a little!”

Kim Hee-sang tried hard to persuade Lee Min-jun.

If this didn’t work, he was ready to throw a tantrum on the floor.

Lee Min-junsighed, having discussed with Seo Eun-hye as well.

He realized that urgent matters could arise for Eun-hye too, due to her grandmother’s hospitalization.

The couple needed more free time to care for Seo-jun, or they had to find someone trustworthy.

“Understood.”

“Great! When do you want to start working?!”

“I need some time for the handover.”

“Take all the time you need!”

“For now, you’ll go to the US with Seo-jun.”

“Isn’t that a contract? Can I really go?”

“They said a representative could go, so I offered to accompany you.”

Na-ra Kim, then.

Kim Hee-sang, who had become close with Na-ra during her stay at Seo-jun’s house in the US, nodded.

“Meet with the director, have fun with Jack, and I’ll give you a present.”

Seo-jun beamed with joy. It had only been a few months since they last met, but he missed them dearly.

“I’ll see Jack, Maria, Eric, and Aunt Na-ra!”

He placed several monster dolls in front of Min-jun.

“I’ll give you these too!”

“Alright. Let’s pack those as well.”

Two days later, laden with gifts for friends in the US, seo-jun and Kim Hee-sang boarded a flight to LA.

****

Title: Always Stick to the Paths in the Mountains

Author: Junbeom Order

Always stick to the paths in the mountains. Don’t get carried away and wander into the woods.

I fell into a pitfall meant for wild boars and my leg snapped backward. I couldn’t imagine a human leg could bend that way.

The pain and fear were overwhelming, and I screamed for help, but no one came. I lost track of time and… it was so cold and tough. I cried until I passed out.

But when I woke up, I was in a hospital. They said I was lucky; a little longer in the pit and I would’ve been in danger of hypothermia. Strangely, my body temperature was normal, which the doctor found curious.

A child actor filming in the village found and rescued me. My lifesaver. I plan to watch their movie ten times.

+) But I don’t know how they found me. Only the villagers knew about the pit’s location.

Bored in the hospital, the boy browsed the internet and posted his story.

It didn’t get much attention, and there were no comments. Feeling awkward, he was about to delete it when he asked his grandfather, who was peeling fruit beside him.

“What’s the name of that movie, Grandpa?”

“What was it… Demon? Spirit? Something like that?”

“Demon. Spirit.”

The boy searched for ‘demon’ and ‘spirit.’

Foreign and Korean movies with similar titles appeared, but they were all already released.

“When is it releasing?”

“Early August, they said. The whole village plans to go.”

It was early July, the time for advertisements, but the movie being promoted on TV and the internet was:

[The Hero Returns, redbone 2! Premiering mid-July!]

“Oh! Redbone 2 premieres next week!”

The boy’s eyes sparkled.

It was Marina Studio’s movie, redbone 2.

The moviegoer turned on his YouTube live.

“Hello, viewers. This is the third Q&A session to celebrate the release of Redbone 2. I’m not doing this because I failed to get a ticket for the premiere of Redbone 2. I had planned this from the beginning.”

-Yeah, right. Next loser.

-Lol. So who are we talking about today?

“Today, we’re going to talk about Lee Seo-jun, the actor who heated up the theater in April. I’ll answer all your questions based on the information I know. And I have a backup too.”

Someone waved their hand next to the moviegoer’s screen. The moviegoer said with a gloomy expression.

“She’s my sister. I thought she would know a lot about Lee Seo-jun, so I paid her a fortune to hire her. She won’t appear on the screen, so don’t mind her. Now, let’s take the first question!”

-There are rumors and articles on the internet that Hollywood studios are pouring scripts for him. When do you expect his next work?

The moviegoer nodded.

“An actor can’t help but think about their next work. Especially Lee Seo-jun, who only appeared as an extra in a marine movie. You might be waiting for his next work. Unlike other actors who return within 1-2 years, I think it’s a bit early for Lee Seo-jun, considering his age. Unless he grows enough to speak more lines, he’ll probably get another role with no lines and no importance.”

-Honestly, I think people are making a fuss because an extra is Korean. Melissa Walton did much better.

The moviegoer read the comment and nodded.

“Honestly, there aren’t many people who watch the movie to cry several times. I wouldn’t have watched it 15 times if it wasn’t for the review video. Unless you’re like me, who wants to prove it on the internet, or YouTubers, you won’t watch it that much. Most people feel curious or proud that a Korean appeared in the movie. The articles about Lee Seo-jun are just hype. But.”

The moviegoer said emphatically.

“As Lee Seo-jun grows, more people will realize his acting. He’ll become a great actor.”

-Is his next work Hollywood or Korea?

“This is also a controversial topic. Regardless of whether Lee Seo-jun is in the US or Korea, I think it’s better for him to appear in Hollywood movies. Even if it’s an extra role!”

-?? Why?

“This might be a bit weird, but think about baseball. There’s a Korean unknown player. He somehow got to play in a major league game.”

-How? Lol.

“It’s an example. An example! The major league game wasn’t that important to decide the championship. But for some reason, it got a lot of attention. And in that game, a Korean player who no one knew hit a home run that decided the victory. Against a major league pitcher! And the team with the Korean player won. Whether it’s Korea or the US, it’s a big deal. You’d be curious about who the player is and how he’ll grow. But then the Korean player has to decide which team to play for.”

-Our team!! Come to our team!1

-? He should play in the major! The salary is different!

-Major 1

“And a few days later, he shows up in a Korean stadium with an article saying he’s the next generation major league player.”

-? Why? Why not the major?

-No skills lol. He won’t make it there lol. No skills lol.

“That’s right. What if he keeps playing in the major league games, even if it’s once in a while?”

-He’ll improve his skills as he grows? He has potential?

-He’s in the major, they must have tested him thoroughly.

“Then let’s compare the player to Lee Seo-jun. What do you think people will think if Lee Seo-jun stays in Hollywood? What if he appears in Korean movies?”

-The analogy is a bit weird… But I’d think the same.

-One-hit wonders are not for nothing.

-So he shouldn’t appear in Korean movies at all?

The moviegoer opened his mouth after a moment of thought.

“I have to prove that I still have a connection with Hollywood. I have been recognized for my acting skills and abilities that can land me in any Hollywood movie. At least until the next project, I have to star in Hollywood movies, make them successful, and play memorable roles in them.”

-But wouldn’t it be better to earn more money and star in Korean movies instead of playing extra roles? You have a reputation.

“…?”

The moviegoer tilted his head. Who is this idiot from nowhere?

-???

-??

-Why? I know that Lee Seo-jun did the Elephant ad and the 48 Hours show. The Elephant ad was banned because of some international regulations, right? And the 48 Hours appearance fee was not that much, was it?

“…You really don’t know. Well, I forgot to mention it when I uploaded the Shadowman review. Sponsored by data, my sister.”

The moviegoer opened an internet window on the screen and logged into YouTube. He then entered the channel [JUN].

“Do you see the views, subscribers, and likes here?”

-Here… There are countless numbers.

-lol I’ve never seen such views lol

“As long as there are babies under 20 months old and their parents on the planet, Lee Seo-jun will never fail.”

-What if YouTube goes down?

“I’ll make DVDs and sell them.”

The moviegoer shrugged his shoulders.

-What role do you want Lee Seo-jun to play?

“That’s a good question. I was so impressed by his acting as William, I hope he can play a similar role next time.”

The moviegoer’s live continued.

***

The day of the Redbone 2 preview.

Choi Min-ji, a PR team member working at Movie Dream, the production company of ‘Evil Spirit’, grabbed her pounding heart and entered the preview hall.

She was thrilled to see Redbone 2 earlier than anyone else, even though it was only a few days. She remembered the faces of many people who came to see the preview, besides herself.

“Is this it?”

Choi Min-ji turned off her phone and sat down in her seat with a devout mind. She took a vacation to see Redbone 2.

Soon the preview hall darkened.

Marina’s signature appeared on the black screen and Redbone OST flowed from the speakers installed here and there. Her heart thumped.

Two hours flew by. The movie was over.

Clap clap clap!!

A loud applause sounded and Choi Min-ji clapped hard. Marina’s name and director Ryan Will’s name came up on the black screen. Soon the names of the cast, staff, and collaborators would appear.

Choi Min-ji packed her belongings and got up, thinking of going back quickly.

The other audience members also slowly got up and left the ending credits behind.

But the lights didn’t come on in the preview hall.

“What’s going on?”

Choi Min-ji uttered a voice without knowing it, but it was drowned out by the noise of the other audience members. They all stood up in an awkward posture.

Boom!

Choi Min-ji and the people’s eyes turned to the screen.

***

“Come on, turn on already! Hurry!”

Choi Min-ji quickly turned on her phone as soon as she left the conference room. She couldn’t afford to waste any time on booting up her phone.

Everyone who passed by Choi Min-ji felt a chill down their spine.

Some people rubbed their arms as if they were cold, and some people made faces as if they couldn’t stand the itchiness in their mouths.

She had been using this phone for five years already.

Choi Min-ji vowed to herself that she would replace it as soon as she got her bonus after this job.

Bonus! Yes! This was a bonus-worthy job!

Ding-

Her phone finally turned on. Choi Min-ji looked around and headed to a corner.

She quickly called her senior colleague from the PR team, whom she was close with.

Choi Min-ji cursed at her senior who didn’t answer the phone.

She was in a hurry, every minute and second mattered.

Why! Why! Didn’t he answer the phone!

-Why?

“Senior! Why did you answer so late!”

The PR team employee who answered Choi Min-ji’s call took the phone away from his ear and looked at the screen. The youngest, choi Min-ji. Was it really her?

-Senior! Are you listening?!

He tilted his head, wondering if the junior who was screaming like that was really the same junior who was so nice.

“Uh, yeah. I’m listening.”

He scratched his forehead. Choi Min-ji’s voice was so loud that it leaked out of the phone. The PR team leader’s hair stood up.

“You sound so excited. If you’re not busy, why don’t you come and work?”

“Should I?”

The PR team leader joked and the senior chuckled.

“Are you done playing? Do you want to come to the office and work?”

-Yes!

“… What?”

-I’m coming! Wait for me! Taxi!!!

The PR team was silent. Only Choi Min-ji’s voice shouting ‘Taxi! Taxi!’ echoed.

The PR team leader asked quietly.

“Min-ji. Are you sure you’re not sick?”

Bang!

The PR office door opened.

There she was, with a flushed face and a confident smile, choi Min-ji who had come to work on her precious vacation. The PR team employees’ expressions changed.

Choi Min-ji skipped the greetings and went straight to the point as soon as she entered.

“Is there anyone here who hates spoiling movies to death?”

“Then you can’t work for a movie production company.”

The job was all about spoilers.

They heard it from the staff who passed by, and from the director.

Sometimes, a slip of the tongue ended up in the movie.

They all shook their heads. The PR team leader asked.

“So what’s the matter?”

From then on, the PR team employees’ expressions changed as they listened to Choi Min-ji’s story.

The PR team leader, who had been listening without much thought, opened his mouth wide at the unexpected story.

And not long after, an emergency meeting was held.