Possessed 10 Million Actors - Chapter 137:

On the top floor of the luxurious apartment building, Lee Hyemin let out a sigh.

“Everyone seems to be praising it a lot.”

Lee Hyemin had just returned home after attending the premiere of “Absolute Unlicensed Counseling.” As soon as she got home, she searched for the reactions to the premiere.

Amidst her search, she came across a video titled “Audience Reactions at the ‘Absolute Unlicensed Counseling’ Premiere.” The video featured an influencer named “Leftover Tuna Can” interviewing regular people who had watched the movie.

“Seriously, you must watch it.”

“If you don’t, you’ll regret it. Definitely watch it.”

“I’ll come to see it again. I’ll watch it whenever I have time.”

“The actress is so beautiful… (What?!) Oh, don’t pinch me! Anyway, the movie is really fun!”

In the video, some were teary-eyed, and others had satisfied expressions while watching the film.

However, unlike the audience who treated it as ‘fiction,’ to Lee Hyemin, “Absolute Unlicensed Counseling” was an old diary and a faded memory.

“It seems like the happy ending is possible only in stories… that’s what it meant.”

The events in “Absolute Unlicensed Counseling” closely mirrored experiences she had gone through, particularly the setting where a wealthy mute girl, thanks to a swindler, gains the ability to ‘speak.’

“It’s strangely similar, even putting everything else aside.”

Curious and bothered, Lee Hyemin delved deeper into the details of the work.

A few months ago, she had watched a video of Yeo Jaeyoon talking about the film on “The Talk Show,” and she discovered the reason.

“Yeo Jaeyoon, the director’s daughter, Yeo Hyemin. The actress couldn’t speak either.”

The film “Absolute Unlicensed Counseling” was made for his daughter, just as Yeo Jaeyoon had the same thoughts as her own father.

Maybe all fathers in the world think alike.

“Leaving that aside… that last scene was truly unbelievable.”

Lee Hyemin chuckled dryly as the scene from the movie continued to replay in her mind.

In the final moments of the film, the swindler, while returning the money he swindled, collides head-on with a truck. In an accident that would be fatal for anyone, the swindler miraculously gets transported to the hospital, unconscious.

A few years later, when the protagonist regains consciousness, he finds ‘Moon Hyemin’ looking down at him with teary eyes.

From then on, with a piece of touching background music, the two embrace each other, and the story ends.

It was an implausible event. If he had collided with a dump truck as in the movie, he wouldn’t have left a single bone fragment behind; he would have disappeared from the world. There is no way to miraculously survive and meet a loved one after such an accident.

But why, Lee Hyemin continued to chuckle with a self-deprecating smile.

“Phew…”

Closing her laptop, Lee Hyemin stood up from her seat. Then, she took out something from the most worn-out part of her bookshelf.

It was an ‘album’ that Kim Faith had given her a long time ago. As Lee Hyemin flipped through the album, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

It used to make her cry every time she looked at it. Perhaps it was because of what Jinseok and Kim Faith had said, along with watching the ‘happy ending’ in the movie, but now, even looking at the album didn’t make her sad.

Now, the memories were joyful.

Putting the album back in the drawer, Lee Hyemin picked up her mobile phone from the desk and started typing a message.

“Hello. I really enjoyed the movie today. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see such a great work. If there’s ever anything I can help with, feel free to contact me.”

***

March 31. One day before the release of “Absolute Unlicensed Counseling.”

“Ugh…”

I was rolling around on the living room floor at home. There was nothing else to do.

“Even the manager is too much. I understand not letting me see the articles, but taking away everything, from the TV to the laptop and mobile phone.”

After the premiere, Jang Sunho confiscated every device I could use to access the internet.

“On April 1, the movie will be released, and on April 2, you have to attend a fan signing event. Until then, to avoid stress, the internet is off-limits,” he said.

Instead, he brought a bunch of books. From fashion magazines to a novel where the protagonist is a manager named “Chandy Wexler” who claims to have gained great inspiration from reading.

Although I wasn’t particularly fond of reading at first, since there was nothing else to do, I ended up reading everything.

Anyway, whether I should thank him for that or say it was because of that, following Jang Sunho’s intentions, I was truly leading a ‘healthy’ routine.

A wholesome life without the internet, spending my time on exercise and reading.

Woong! Woong!

That’s when it happened. On the third day of the confiscation, the mobile phone Jang Sunho gave me rang. It was a phone that only allowed calls and messages because the internet was restricted.

[010-XXXX-XXXX]

“Where have I seen this number before? Who could it be?”

If it were an unknown number, I wouldn’t have answered, but since it was a familiar number, I decided to pick it up.

“Hello?”

[Oh, Oppa! It’s Yeonsoo!]

A little surprised by the unexpected caller, I asked, “Yeonsoo? How did you get this number?”

[When I called you with Oppa’s phone, Manager-nim answered. I said I had something to ask and he gave me this number.]

“Oh, I see. By the way, Yeonsoo. Were you talking about ‘Absolute Unlicensed…'”

[And he told me not to talk about the movie at all.]

“…”

[Absolutely not.]

Indeed, I was in Jang Sunho’s palm. While I let out a disappointed laugh, Seo Yeonsoo continued.

[Um… Oppa. Our department is holding an event in early April before the midterm exam season. Do you happen to know about it?]

“An event?”

[Yes, it’s our department’s pub.]

“Oh, I know. I’ve heard about it. Sometimes even senior actors visit, right?”

[Yes, that’s right. So, um… do you happen to know about the competition with the Practical Music Department?]

“I’ve heard something about it. But why?”

Asking again, beyond the mobile phone, Seo Yeonsoo hesitated with sounds like “Well…” and “Um…”

It seemed like the first time she couldn’t articulate herself properly.

“Why? What’s going on?”

[It’s because… um…]

“Why are you so nervous? Are you asking me to work at the pub?”

[…Yes.]

“Just come and ask me to work. Since my project is finished, I have some free time, and I already told the manager.”

For a while, Seo Yeonsoo didn’t say anything. Just when I thought the call might have been cut off and checked, Seo Yeonsoo spoke.

[…Really? Can you decide so easily?]

“Yeah. But how did you manage to persuade the manager so easily?”

[Um… Yes. He said it might be helpful for you. I’m not sure what that means, though.]

It was difficult to express, but it felt somewhat awkward. It was a strange reaction from Seo Yeonsoo after a long time of not talking.

“But what do I have to do? I’ve done a lot of part-time jobs in Hongdae pubs before, so I can handle most things.”

[We haven’t decided that yet. Um… for now, just know that much.]

“Okay. Let me know when it’s decided.”

[Yes, sure…]

Until the call ended, the distance felt continued, and it was impossible to know.

‘She suddenly contacted me, maybe she feels sorry for asking.’

After a moment of contemplation, I got up from the floor. It was time to do something other than lying down.

***

The next morning at 8 a.m.

As the front doorbell rang, I rushed to the entrance like someone waiting eagerly for a delivery. When I opened the door with force, Jang Sunho was standing there, flashing his characteristic smile.

“Good morning, actor. Did you rest well for a week?”

“Yes, yes. So…!”

Blurting out, I extended my hand. It was a gesture asking for the return of my mobile phone.

Jang Sunho alternated glances between me and the phone, then with a peculiar smile, he said, “I can give you the phone now, but in my opinion, it might be better for you to endure until you arrive at the fan signing event.”

“Why, why?”

“Well…”

When I asked again, Jang Sunho thought for a moment and then smiled subtly.

“Because if you check the articles first, the joy you get from on-site reactions might decrease.”

“…”

“First, let’s go to the shop. I’m quite busy today.”

***

The Yongsan CGB where the premiere of “Absolute Unlicensed Counseling” took place.

“Wow… there are so many people today.”

The snack bar staff sighed as they observed the bustling crowd. The female staff next to him nodded in agreement.

“Yes, it’s because it’s Sunday, and normally, it’s crowded. But today, it’s even busier because of the ‘Absolute Unlicensed Counseling’ actor fan signing event.”

“Have you seen that movie? The ratings are really good.”

“I haven’t seen it yet. I plan to watch it late after work.”

“Do you want to watch it together? I haven’t seen it either.”

He said it casually, but it took considerable courage for the male staff to say those words.

“Oh, I already promised to watch it with my boyfriend. I’m sorry.”

She had a boyfriend. It was a failure. At that moment, he felt a bit down, not knowing this fact before.

“They’re here!”

Someone in the crowd pointed towards the entrance, and the attention of the people focused there.

Cheers erupted!

Wide-eyed!

The spacious Yongsan CGB was filled to the brim, and the echoes were so loud that it sounded like a roar. The male staff was surprised and turned his head when someone, accompanied by security guards, was entering.

It was Jinseok and Yeo Hyemin.

On the makeshift screen, their images began to appear. Yeo Hyemin’s cheeks were slightly flushed, but her expression remained composed.

On the other hand, Jinseok was visibly surprised. The astonishment was evident in his wide-open eyes as if he were a naive boy from the countryside who had come to the city for the first time.

“Ah, hello. I’m Kang Jinseok. Um… Did everyone have their meals?”

Jinseok and Yeo Hyemin took their seats in front of the large poster for “Absolute Unlicensed Counseling.” Jinseok, still bewildered, took the microphone.

“Yes!”

“No!”

“Oh, some have eaten, and some haven’t. Um, actually, before coming here, I memorized what kind of greetings I should give, but I forgot everything. Ahaha… I didn’t expect so many people to come. But, what should I do?”

With a lost look in his eyes, Jinseok glanced around.

Whether it was cute or for some other reason, camera flashes from reporters and fans began to go off. Some were even recording videos from start to finish.

“Uhm, host. Please help.”

As Jinseok requested assistance, the host smiled and skillfully guided the fan signing event. Questions that had been discussed in advance were asked, and Jinseok provided the answers.

After about 15 minutes of Q&A, the host said, “Now, we will have time for fans to shake hands and get autographs from the actors in order of ticket numbers!”

As the host spoke, numerous staff members began to move. Fans waited patiently for their turn, having received various instructions beforehand.

The event concluded smoothly.

One week after the release, the first-week audience count for “Absolute Unlicensed Counseling” was compiled.