The Face Genius Actor

Episode 022

Up to Part 3 of “Arrest” where Si-joon appears.

Im Sara admitted that she had completely fallen for Si-joon while watching everything.

Even though Ji Jung-hyun, whom she originally supported passionately, appeared after Part 4 and “Arrest” has already aired up to Part 10.

Si-joon still lingered in Im Sara’s eyes every day without fail.

‘I still support Jung-hyun oppa and hope he continues to do well….’

But that feeling was a bit different from her feelings for Si-joon.

Ji Jung-hyun, who had already become a top actor, no longer needed her help.

Honestly, it could be said that maintaining loyalty for nearly 20 years was already a great achievement.

‘On the other hand, our Si-joon….’

He was an actor who needed to make his name known to more fans.

Given the immense potential he showed through “Arrest,” it would naturally be possible to see Si-joon in many places as time passed.

But for Im Sara, that wasn’t satisfactory enough.

She was just frustrated that she couldn’t see Si-joon as much as she wanted right away.

It was now reaching its limit to satisfy her desire by reading posts from people who were also infatuated with Si-joon and commenting on them.

‘There’s no way to see our Si-joon’s face other than rewatching “Arrest”….’

This reality was too unfortunate.

While sitting absentmindedly in the company break room, lost in thought.

“Director.”

Someone called out to her.

Turning her head, she saw Han In-sook, the PR team leader, standing there.

“Ah, Team Leader Han. Did you enjoy your lunch?”

“Yes. I had cold noodles with the team members.”

“Beomseojung?”

“No, Donjubaek. I prefer Hamheung-style. They also serve grilled meat, and it’s quite good.”

“If they serve grilled meat, then Hamheung cold noodles are acceptable too. It must have been delicious eating together.”

“What did you eat, Director? You ate with the Executive Director, right?”

“I ate with the Executive Director, so what do you think? Of course, the company cafeteria. We had curry today.”

“I don’t know what he’s trying to save… It’s too much.”

“It’s fine. It would have tasted bad no matter what I ate. I just got scolded again today. Something about cutting advertising costs for the new product line.”

“But if the ads don’t work, he’ll complain again. Geez.”

“Exactly. I guess he doesn’t know who’s responsible for our company not properly promoting new products.”

“I already have a headache. I was really interested in this new men’s cosmetics line.”

“…Ah!”

“Yes?”

Team Leader Han reacted to Im Sara’s sudden exclamation.

Im Sara quickly spoke before her thoughts could evaporate.

“Team Leader Han. Have you watched ‘Arrest’ by any chance?”

“Of course I’ve seen it. It’s the most popular drama these days. Are you thinking of proposing an advertisement to one of the actors?”

“What do you think? Would it be good?”

“It’s worth considering. But do we have someone who fits our conditions?”

“Who do you have in mind?”

“Ji Jung-hyun, of course. But isn’t he too expensive? Didn’t they say to cut advertising costs?”

Team Leader Han didn’t know that Im Sara was a fan of Ji Jung-hyun, so she spoke freely.

But Im Sara didn’t take offense at all and nodded.

“He is expensive. In fact, to use Ji Jung-hyun, we’d have to end the contract with our current model.”

“Then who do you have in mind, Director? Is there anyone else good in ‘Arrest’ besides Ji Jung-hyun? Kim Jung-min?”

“He’s quite handsome and acts well, but his role won’t work. He plays Hwang In-seop, the serial killer.”

“We can’t use Han Mi-rae as a model for men’s cosmetics either…. I can’t think of anyone suitable….”

“Do you know Lee Si-joon, who played the high school student Shin Han-jae? He was the main character for the first three parts.”

Im Sara carefully asked while observing Team Leader Han’s expression.

If Team Leader Han didn’t even know Si-joon’s name, she couldn’t recommend him as an advertising model, no matter how much she liked him as an actor.

The ability to separate personal and professional matters.

This was an important reason why Im Sara could survive as a director at Sensus while being a longtime fan.

Fortunately, or should we say fortunately,

Team Leader Han’s expression brightened immediately upon hearing Si-joon’s name.

“Ah! Of course I know! Lee Si-joon! He’s incredibly handsome! And he acts so well too!”

“Oh… you know him?”

Im Sara asked, barely restraining herself from saying “our Si-joon.”

Team Leader Han nodded vigorously and replied.

“I was so surprised when I first saw him in ‘Arrest.’ I was completely captivated by his insane visuals.”

“That’s what I’m saying. I was also very surprised when I saw Lee Si-joon’s face.”

“Even today, my team members were talking about Lee Si-joon. Why didn’t I think of him before.”

“Really? Then shall we push for Lee Si-joon as our new model for men’s cosmetics?”

“That would be great. Since he’s a rookie, his modeling fee won’t be high either.”

“The only problem is his agency. Si-joon’s affiliation hasn’t been decided yet.”

“I heard he’s almost signed with Festa Entertainment?”

“Festa Entertainment? That’s unexpected. I thought he would do well with Tree Actors.”

“Tree Actors also approached him? Then there’s a possibility with them too.”

“This won’t do. Let’s submit a proposal for the ad model today and call Festa Entertainment and Tree Actors.”

“Alright. I’ll submit the proposal and call Tree Actors. I’ll get on it right away.”

“Good. Work hard. I’ll contact Festa Entertainment.”

After parting ways with Team Leader Han, Im Sara felt a strange sense of déjà vu as she returned to her desk.

She belatedly realized that her conversation with Team Leader Han was not just casual viewing of “Arrest.”

“Oh?”

As expected, when Im Sara turned around, Team Leader Han was also looking at her, seemingly having the same realization.

It was a delicate moment when a fan of Si-joon recognized another fan of Si-joon.

* * *

I couldn’t help but be surprised by Kim Bo-mi’s story.

Sensus was a road shop brand that anyone interested in cosmetics would have heard of at least once.

They were particularly strong in cleansing and skincare products.

I also used Sensus products for basic skincare after washing my face, like toner and lotion.

“A model proposal from Sensus is quite sudden. Don’t they usually use top-tier celebrities?”

Kim Bo-mi nodded in response to my question.

“Currently, the popular girl group ‘Ready-Pa’ is active as Sensus’s model. I heard their contract period still has quite some time left.”

Ready-Pa was the representative 4th generation girl group of ‘Blanc,’ one of the top three agencies in the music industry.

As a girl group at the height of their popularity, they were perfect as Sensus’s exclusive model.

“But… why me?”

“They said they’re launching a new men’s cosmetics line.”

Kim Bo-mi paused briefly after saying this, as if choosing her words carefully.

4th generation representative girl group Ready-Pa.

Sensus’s men’s cosmetics line.

At first glance, this might sound like they simply needed a new male model.

But I immediately understood what Sensus was thinking when they made the model proposal.

“Ready-Pa’s fees are too high, so they needed a model to reduce promotional costs.”

Kim Bo-mi, who had been carefully choosing her words, looked surprised at my comment.

So did Yeo Kyung-chan, my manager.

Kim Bo-mi nodded and replied.

“That’s right. Sensus probably approached it with that thinking.”

“For a new product line, they probably figured it would be fine to use a rookie actor with some recognition.”

“Right. But you don’t have to take this in a bad way…”

“No, I don’t take it badly. I actually like it.”

“Pardon?”

“After all, Sensus sees me as a cost-effective model, right?”

“Ah, I see.”

“Moreover, if the position is just promoting a new product line, it’s not burdensome. How much is the pay?”

“……”

As I asked this, I decided to accept Sensus’s offer if the pay was decent.

Then, sensing an odd silence, I turned towards Kim Bo-mi and Yeo Kyung-chan.

“What’s wrong? Is Sensus’s pay very low?”

Kim Bo-mi shook her head and answered.

“No, Sensus’s pay is good. It’s actually above average. However…”

“However?”

“I think I understand what Team Leader Kim Jun-man meant.”

“What did he say?”

“When introducing Actor Lee Si-joon, he added that you’re a very special person, uncommon. He said there’s something that can’t be explained simply by your inhuman appearance and high-level acting skills.”

I felt my cheeks burning hot as I heard this unexpected high praise.

I quickly waved my hands before more could be said.

“That’s too much praise. It seems Team Leader Kim Jun-man thinks more highly of me than I thought.”

“No, I just felt the same thing. Actor Lee Si-joon, you really have something special.”

“I’m actually quite sensitive to others’ reactions. That’s probably why I quickly understood Sensus’s intentions.”

“It’s not just about understanding the situation better than ordinary actors. While talking with you, Actor Lee Si-joon… honestly, I felt a bit overwhelmed.”

Is this a compliment?

I checked Kim Bo-mi’s expression to clarify the somewhat ambiguous response.

At the same time, I could be certain without a doubt that it was a compliment.

The expression on Kim Bo-mi’s face was clearly one of admiration.

This was another first-time experience for me.

As I was wondering what to say, fortunately, Kim Bo-mi regained her composure first.

“I’m sorry. I went overboard.”

“It’s okay. Shall we continue talking about Sensus?”

Kim Bo-mi returned to a professional demeanor and confirmed Sensus’s detailed conditions and advertising fees.

There were no complicated parts, and the pay was set slightly higher than average, as Kim Bo-mi had said.

For that reason, I could accept Sensus’s offer without much hesitation.

On the way home after finishing the conversation with Kim Bo-mi.

Yeo Kyung-chan, while driving me back, had an excited expression.

“Actor! You’re really amazing! It’s the first time I’ve seen Team Leader Kim make that kind of expression since I joined the company!”

For some reason, pride was evident in Yeo Kyung-chan’s tone.

I smiled slightly as I listened to Yeo Kyung-chan, who was two years older than me.

I remembered that Yeo Kyung-chan had only been with Festa Entertainment for two years.

‘He probably just thinks I have decent social skills for a rookie actor. No need to be too happy about Team Leader Kim Bo-mi’s praise.’

I didn’t think much of what happened today.

More important was how the advertising contract with Sensus would proceed.

‘They said we’d start with print shoots in the studio, right? It’s been a while. Should be fun.’