Free Web NovelPeople were even running over just to take Ji Haebeom’s airport photos.
If you were asked to name the most famous male celebrity in South Korea right now, he would easily make the top three—so it was only natural that all eyes gathered on him.
The season’s greeting Ji Haebeom had released not long ago had boasted sales that looked ready to punch through the ceiling, not only in Korea but across Asia. His domestic popularity was overwhelming, and his overseas fandom was just as strong.
The reporter steadied herself, digging her feet into the ground so she wouldn’t be shoved aside by the people pressing in from both sides.
Click click click click click—!
The camera shutters rang out without pause. Even among the countless rapid-fire shots, Ji Haebeom survived every frame. Flashes exploded as ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) dozens of cameras captured every single moment of him.
An outfit worth tens of millions of won from head to toe spread across the internet in real time.
Ji Haebeom was nothing less than a walking advertisement. One with terrifying effectiveness.
‘Today’s Ji Haebeom airport fashion is probably going to take first place in clicks again.’
An airport was a stage for unofficial interviews. Even though the basic information was already known through his agency, reporters still threw out questions, all to capture Ji Haebeom saying the words himself.
“Where are you heading today?”
“There’s an event hosted by Company D.”
Ji Haebeom, who had become Company D’s Asia ambassador. That was the article that needed to be uploaded today.
[<The Great Departure Road> Ji Haebeom’s Perfect Airport Fashion]
[Gentle smile even toward the crowding fans, “I’ll be back from the D event~”]
Soon, Ji Haebeom’s fans and his agency would begin the viral push. An airport was practically a display of an agency’s political power—every moment here had to spread.
[From head to toe, everything gets flipped by D丨Ji Haebeom Airport Fashion.jpg]
-ah f*ck I can smell him through the monitor
-all-black suits him better than the grim reaper, whoa
-my friend’s a flight attendant and she says seeing Ji Haebeom in person literally makes you speechless.. TT_TT
︎˪no seriously even just through the screen this is insane
‘But that’s not what I need to ask!’
Many reporters had been puzzled by the news that the child actor for <The Great Garland> still hadn’t been decided.
“Wait, not even the lead—just a supporting role?”
“It’s a four-episode child role. Why has Director Ja been dragging this out?”
Then someone spoke up.
“I heard Gi Juye and Han Yeoreum got into a fight over the Eun Baekhap child role.” ƒгeewebnovёl.com
Everyone nodded easily in understanding.
“No wonder Director Ja’s stuck.”
“She’s not better than Eun Baekhap in acting, so she won’t devour the role—but she’s got recognition, a decent Chinese fanbase, and her agency’s showing willingness to invest. Even for Director Ja, that’s hard to overturn.”
“If it were the lead role, you could at least try to push acting skills.... But for a child role, fighting on skill alone is kind of awkward, right?”
Hearing that, the reporter wanted to place a weapon into Yeoreum’s hands—something other than skill.
‘Ji Haebeom. That weapon is Ji Haebeom!’
A reporter near Ji Haebeom asked about his next project. Ji Haebeom seemed to ponder for a moment, then gracefully lifted the corners of his lips. Gasps erupted from all around.
“I’m working hard on studying the character so reporters can enjoy watching it. I’m planning to read the script on the plane as well.”
He answered in a low, resonant voice. Truly a response worthy of a top actor. With not a single flaw to latch onto, the reporter immediately followed up.
“There are rumors that you’ll be participating in the <The Great Garland> child actor audition. Is that true?”
Ji Haebeom blinked slowly a couple of times. There was no trace of impatience—the kind that demanded an immediate answer to every question.
That calm alone proved he was a top actor, polished down to his very attitude.
No pointless filler like ‘Ah....’ ‘Uh....’ ‘Well....’ His mouth never moved ahead of his thoughts, so there was no rambling.
Instead, he always looked at the other person and smiled quietly.
“Ahhh! He’s insanely handsome!”
“Oppa, please look this way just once—!”
At that, the shutter sounds surrounding him surged even louder. Just the movement of his facial muscles was enough to stir chaos around him.
“Yes. Thanks to Director Ja inviting me, I got the chance to observe.”
A response that seemed like it would end in one sentence continued on.
“I’ve always respected Director Ja, so I wanted to learn up close what kind of standards he uses when casting roles. I’m also curious how I ended up being chosen for the role of Gi Taeseok.”
Once again, it was an impeccably clever answer. Ji Haebeom gave a light nod of farewell and walked through the departure gate.
‘Got it!’
The reporter dashed to a nearby chair and opened her laptop. She had gotten exactly the answer she wanted.
Input: Ji Haebeom dropped a piece of ‘bait’ regarding his next project at the airport today....
With Ji Haebeom’s weight alone, power shifted. I may be a top actor, but this project will move according to Director Ja’s standards—that was the signal he sent.
‘Then the investors won’t be able to pressure Director Ja so openly anymore!’
Input: Since his debut, Ji Haebeom has consistently surpassed double-digit ratings and reached break-even points, earning the nickname ‘a guaranteed box-office hit,’ making <The Great Garland> likewise expected to succeed....
An investor’s standard was, above all else, success.
If Ji Haebeom—boasting an undefeated track record—said he trusted Director Ja, it became difficult to harbor further doubts.
‘And since he said he was curious why he was chosen as Gi Taeseok, it makes it sound like it wasn’t his own decision—but Director Ja’s!’
Input: Director Ja’s choice—Ji Haebeom subtly showed the image of Gi Taeseok from <The Great Garland> today through a classic Company D shirt setup....
The better Ji Haebeom’s acting, the more Director Ja’s foresight would be emphasized. The public would have no choice but to think so, subconsciously.
-who said Gi Juye would’ve been better lololol even now that’s ridiculous
-Director Ja’s eye is insane... Gi Taeseok, Han Yeoreum, they all fit perfectly.. T_T
And lastly—a direct hit to Gi Juye’s camp.
From the moment Ji Haebeom said he respected Director Ja, it implied that he stood in opposition to Gi Juye.
‘Director Ja’s backing Han Yeoreum, and Ji Haebeom’s on Director Ja’s side?’
If they wanted to push Gi Juye in anyway, they’d now have to persuade Ji Haebeom too—a burden they couldn’t ignore.
In a single statement, Ji Haebeom transferred authority to Director Ja, emphasized skill-based auditions, and drew a clear line between himself and Gi Juye’s faction.
‘And finally.’
[Ji Haebeom—there’s a reason he’s a top actor~ Humble departure for Company D]
Even the humble top-actor frame.
‘That fox....’
Satisfied, the reporter uploaded the article. An article bearing Ji Haebeom’s name saw its views skyrocket.
[Share]
The reporter didn’t forget to hit the share button and scrap it onto community boards. The public would now subconsciously attach the name ‘Ji Haebeom’ as a seal of trust to the casting results.
‘In conclusion.’
The legitimacy of Han Yeoreum—who Director Ja would choose—was now coated in the halo of a top star. Subconsciously. Perfectly naturally.
* * *
“Haebeom. Aren’t you exhausted? We should’ve just knocked out the audition quickly. Sigh.”
Ji Haebeom’s manager sighed as they moved toward the gate. Ji Haebeom hadn’t only received Company D’s invitation—he also had to do an overseas photoshoot for his ambassador activities.
“All this traveling just for a child role—fly out, come back to Korea, then get on another plane again! And then the schedule gets tangled and we have to leave again.”
Because of a mere child actor audition, Ji Haebeom was forcing himself through a hellish schedule: departing for Paris, returning to Korea, then flying out to Belgium.
At his manager’s grumbling, Ji Haebeom lightly leaned his forehead against the man’s shoulder, as if bumping it.
“I like how simple you are, hyung.”
“That’s not a compliment, is it?”
“It is, hyung.”
Ji Haebeom had deliberately delayed the audition as long as he could. After all, what mattered was the lead—Ji Haebeom himself. He had already calculated that the production company wouldn’t make a big issue of it.
‘As long as my name is listed.’
While the production smiled at investors arriving with bags of money, time passed. In the meantime, Han Yeoreum’s agency moved busily.
‘Right now, the biggest obstacle to Han Yeoreum taking on the role of Yeon Huijae needs to be removed.’
That obstacle was erasing the impact of Seoryeong from Han Yeoreum.
Leaving a strong imprint on the public through a character’s name was undeniably an actor’s strength—but once an image solidified, it became a minus as time went on.
And JC ENM was an agency sharp enough to catch that point perfectly.
