The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Chapter 241



Chapter 241

[Title: Does Lee Yeon-jae Own Shares in WB Entertainment?]

Why is he so close with the WB Entertainment guys?

He appeared on the Space Br☓ad, and it seems like the Naide guys are really close with Lee Yeon-jae too.

I knew he went to Naide’s fan signing event, but he appeared in their self-content yesterday, and I was shocked. LOL

They only talked for a moment, but they seemed really close.

― LOL, Naide’s youngest has been friends with Lee Yeon-jae since elementary school. Before they debuted, he used to sleep over at Lee Yeon-jae’s house every day.

― How did Eun-taek get close to Lee Yeon-jae??

└ I don’t know. They’ve just known each other for a long time.

└ There are many stories of Bi-hyuk, Eun-taek, and Lee Yeon-jae hanging out together even before their debut. Maybe Bi-hyuk introduced them.

## [Title: Do You Guys Know Eun-taek Calls Lee Yeon-jae ‘Baby’?]

First of all, my favorite is Eun-taek.

From the start, my type has been kids with a nasty attitude and slanted eyes, so Eun-taek naturally became my favorite.

I didn’t believe it when they said Eun-taek really cared about Lee Yeon-jae (Bi-hyuk’s words). I mean, he barely cares about his own members, so how could he care for someone else? LOL

But if you listen to the conversation around the 36-minute mark of the Br☓ad from the 24th,

Eun-taek: What’s the baby doing now?

Bi-hyuk: He’s doing a photoshoot.

Eun-taek: He’s busy. @$# (this part is inaudible)

It’s a whispered conversation, so it’s hard to hear, but if you turn up the volume, you can clearly hear ‘baby.’

That day, there was a huge commotion on the secret accounts asking who the ‘baby’ was and if he already had a girlfriend.

(Lee Yeon-jae Photoshoot.JPG)

Turns out it was Lee Yeon-jae, LOL.

LOL LOL LOL

If you compare it with the post Lee Yeon-jae made on his fan cafe, the timing matches perfectly.

Honestly, Lee Yeon-jae’s fans spoil him. If you just look at him, doesn’t he seem like an ordinary high school boy? He’s taller than my real high school brother.

Calling a guy only two years younger than him ‘baby’…

How should I accept my favorite calling someone ‘baby’…

― Why is the OP’s tone so funny? Are you sure Eun-taek is your favorite? Based on the description, you sound like an anti-fan. LOL

― It’s hilarious. A male idol who cherishes another actor more than his own members has appeared (new!).

└ LOL so funny.

― I like him because he’s straightforward. I enjoy watching him say whatever he wants without any weird angles with his members.

└ (ㄱㅆ) That’s right. He takes care of his members too. He’s just born with a nasty personality. LOL.

└ OP, are you really not an anti-fan?

* * *

― I’m so exhausted….

Noh Bi-hyuk’s face on the screen looked haggard.

Seeing his almost lifeless face made me feel uncomfortable.

“Did you get some sleep?”

― About three hours? It’s more than I slept yesterday, at least.

No wonder he’s tired.

Being a rookie, Noh Bi-hyuk was always busy even after his promotional period ended.

‘Wouldn’t it be better for him to sleep instead of video calling?’

A rational thought crossed my mind, but I knew the moment I said it out loud, he’d show a disappointed expression, so I kept quiet.

“What about Eun-taek hyung?”

― Everyone except me is knocked out.

Noh Bi-hyuk turned his phone to show the scene inside the car.

All the members, except Noh Bi-hyuk, were passed out.

It was pitiful to see them all asleep, wearing sleep masks and covered in blankets.

“You’re working hard. But the response to this variety show has been good. Did you see the comments I organized and sent?”

― Yeah. We all watched it together. Thanks.

His voice was full of drowsiness.

It was time to end the call.

“Get some sleep. Let’s talk tomorrow.”

― You too, hang in there today. Don’t get too nervous and just do what you always do.

“Okay.”

― …You really don’t seem nervous. You’re amazing.

Noh Bi-hyuk murmured, looking dumbfounded.

― How can you not be nervous about appearing on a major American talk show? And in English, no less. Aren’t you worried about making mistakes?

“Of course I’m worried.”

― You don’t look like someone who’s worried.

Noh Bi-hyuk shook his head.

― You’re something else. Anyway, do well.

I hung up after agreeing.

The sunset outside was already a deep red.

‘Nothing to do.’

Having spent two days cooped up in the hotel after arriving in New York, I felt more bored than nervous.

At first, I went out without a mask, not thinking much about being abroad, but I got a scare when someone shouted at the hotel entrance.

Well, there are many Koreans in New York.

So I immediately put on a mask.

But for some reason, I felt eyes on me intensely.

It was too much to ignore, so I had to return to the hotel after just two hours.

‘It must be because of Jin-bae hyung.’

If I saw a 190cm tall man, I would naturally stare too.

But I couldn’t go out alone without Jin-bae hyung, so I had no choice but to stay in the hotel for two days.

“Actor, I think it’s time for you to start getting ready.”

“Oh, yes.”

It was now 5 PM.

The Jim Fury Show live broadcast started at 9 PM.

The stylist team came into the room and handed me the clothes.

“I thought a suit might be too much, so I brought mainly jackets.”

“Thank you.”

As always, the clothes prepared by the stylist team were stylish.

I changed into the prepared outfit and was about to get my makeup done when the stylist noona carefully examined my face.

“Yeon-jae.”

“Yes?”

“Are you really not nervous? How can you be so calm?”

He looked genuinely puzzled.

From Noh Bi-hyuk to the stylist noona, everyone seemed to be questioning my demeanor.

“I thought you were just trying not to show it, but now I think you really aren’t nervous.”

“Right, it’s such a contrast to the fan meeting. You were so concerned about your outfit back then, but now you’re not saying anything.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I answered the other staff member.

“You can’t compare this to a fan meeting….”

How could they compare appearing on a TV show to a fan meeting?

“The MC and the audience probably won’t even be interested in me. I’m just there to say a few words to promote the drama.”

Thinking that way, there really wasn’t any reason to be nervous.

Everyone shook their heads at my words, except for Jin-bae hyung, who patted my shoulder with a smile.

“You’re right. So don’t be nervous and say whatever you want.”

When I thanked him for his kind words, the staff started to chime in.

“Looks like the manager played a part in this.”

“I thought the same thing.”

They continued to say how well we matched.

‘What do they mean by that?’

I didn’t understand, so I was about to ask, but Jin-bae hyung diverted the conversation, telling me not to worry about it.

* * *

“(Oh, Mr. Lee! Nice to meet you.)”

Jim Fury, whom I met before the live broadcast, was kinder than I had expected.

He asked if there was anything he needed to know before the show started, and I asked him to speak slowly so I could understand.

The bustling waiting room was similar to Korean broadcasting, and chatting with Jin-bae hyung made the time pass quickly.

“(When I give the signal, you can walk through the curtains.)”

I stood behind the familiar curtains, guided by the staff.

Jim Fury’s high-energy voice resonated outside the curtain.

A few minutes later, I heard him introduce me.

“(Our next guest is the hot topic! The lead actor of ‘Killing Horn’ and the youngest to win the Best Actor award at last year’s Cannes Film Festival! Wow, listen to those cheers!)”

Oh my goodness.

The enthusiastic introduction made my face burn.

Whether the audience was hired for this or not, their cheers were exceptionally loud.

“(Please welcome, Lee Yeon-jae!)”

As soon as my name, pronounced awkwardly, echoed, the staff signaled me.

The moment I stepped out through the curtains, the band music blared, and the cheers exploded.

‘What is this?’

Bi-hyuk couldn’t have come all the way to New York.

‘Are they really hired?’

If this was the case, they should be paid double the hourly rate.

I was bewildered by the passionate cheers.

Trying my best to maintain my composure, I lightly shook hands with Jim Fury.

Ah.

‘I want to bow.’

Greeting someone much older than me like this felt wrong.

My Confucian values stirred within me.

I desperately wanted to bow, but I waved to the audience as we had practiced.

The cheers grew louder, making me even more uncomfortable.

‘I’m sorry….’

Feeling guilty, I tried hard to keep smiling.

I knew the saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

Nevertheless, American-style greetings were harsh for a Korean.

‘I’m already tired.’

As I sat on the sofa, the drum roll faded, and the cheers finally subsided.

“(Wow, as expected of the hottest actor these days. This is the first time the audience has been this excited!)”

I smiled and thanked him, knowing he was trying to hype me up.

Jim Fury was courteous yet cheerful.

I could tell he was making an effort to speak clearly and choose his words carefully for me to understand.

Thanks to him, any remaining nerves completely disappeared.

We talked at length about the latest challenge videos and the drama, when Jim suddenly stared at me intently.

Then, out of nowhere, he said,

“(Are you American?)”

“(…?)”

As if.

When I tilted my head, Jim chuckled.

“(I don’t mean to be rude, but your English is really good. You said you’ve only been learning for a short time before the show started.)”

“(It’s been over a year.)”

“(That’s exactly my point! Even if I had learned Korean for a year, I wouldn’t be as fluent as you are!)”

He really knew how to flatter someone.

I shrugged with a smile.

“(I also studied extra hard for this appearance.)”

“(Really? How did you study?)”

The most important thing in learning a foreign language is vocabulary.

If you memorize words like crazy, conversing with locals isn’t that difficult.

I had already memorized enough vocabulary and just focused on smooth pronunciation.

‘Mimicking others’ pronunciation is the easiest way.’

So, I watched Jim Fury’s show for days, focusing on his pronunciation and mannerisms.

By mimicking a local hundreds of times, I naturally achieved a decent pronunciation.

“(It’s similar to practicing acting.)”

Jim looked puzzled.

So, I just demonstrated.

“(For example, like this. ‘Hello, this is Jim Fury from The Tonight Show! Nice to meet you!’)”

“(…!! Oh my God, what did you just do?!)”

When I mimicked his usual opening line, Jim was astonished.

It didn’t seem like he was asking because he didn’t know, but just in case, I answered.

“(I did an impression.)”

“(I know that!!)”

So he did know.

“(What I mean is, how did you do it?)”

“(Jim, you emphasize the L sound and slur the S sound. You lift the corners of your mouth just before saying a name.)”

I listed the characteristics I had naturally analyzed from watching Jim countless times.

‘I hope I don’t come off as a stalker.’

I calmly explained, hoping he wouldn’t misunderstand, and Jim let out a deep breath.

“(Wow, to be honest… that’s really astonishing. I heard about your appearance and rushed to watch the drama the day before yesterday. The difference between you and H is striking enough, but seeing you talk exactly like me is chilling!)”

His reaction was so enthusiastic that I realized he wasn’t just a TV show host for nothing.

Reacting like that every time must not be easy.

‘Earning money is never easy.’

I could sense his professionalism.

When I smiled and thanked him, Jim raised both hands.

“(You’re a fantastic actor who’s bound to be popular. And you’re dazzlingly good-looking too!)”

His words were so flattering that I laughed awkwardly. Jim then turned to the audience and shouted, asking if they agreed. Please, stop….

As I was feeling embarrassed, the inevitable question finally came.

The question that no Korean celebrity in Hollywood can avoid.

“(You must be popular with people around you. Doesn’t your girlfriend get jealous?)”

Jim smiled slyly.


Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.