Free Web NovelI lay alone in the hotel room, staring up at the ceiling.
“Goo Minho....”
Ever since coming back, I’d tried as much as possible not to think about the time before the regression. I’d been too busy just moving forward.
“...Still pisses me off, even thinking about it again.”
But no matter how hard I tried not to remember, the memories were vivid. I knew I had to erase personal emotions, but they didn’t go away that easily.
It had been nothing special—just a casual drinking gathering. Even back then, Goo Minho had been one of the more successful ones among us. The problem was that I went, hoping to ride connections—maybe hear about one more audition, maybe land a supporting role.
“But up close, you’re even cuter than I thought? Damn. Why are you still stuck here wasting a face like that?”
Goo Minho suddenly touched my cheek, and I stood up.
“It looks like you’ve had too much to drink, so I’ll get going first. Enjoy yourself, sunbaenim.”
“Hey. Sit down.”
Skipping the petty argument. In the end, I got slapped. The people around us all jumped in to stop him, so I didn’t get hit again, but... how should I put it.
“If I’d known I’d come back like this, I would’ve slammed his face straight onto a grill.”
It was something I regretted over and over.
After that? His agency must’ve gotten wind of it, because they sent over some pocket change under the name of compensation.
“It’s better for both sides this way, right? If rumors spread that a female actress got slapped at a drinking table, that wouldn’t be good for you either.... Let’s not make things ugly. Okay? Next time a supporting role opens up, we’ll put in a good word for you.”
This industry is too small.
One slap. If I tried to sue over something like that, I’d be the one who got crushed. I’d be labeled an ignorant nobody actress who caused trouble and never get cast anywhere again.
“....” ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
So I had to smile and let it go.
“Ah, Goo Minho is seriously fucking irritating.”
I shot up from the bed. Replaying it again filled my chest with anger—like a hundred tiny Eun Baekhabs screaming inside my heart.
“What kind of fucked-up bastard is this? His face already looks like a mess and his personality’s wrecked too? Is his brain broken? At least one thing about him should work properly!”
“You just let that slide ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) after getting hit? If it were me, I’d wait until we got to the parking lot and crack his skull with a bat....”
“Hey, you idiot! It’s not too late even now! Just run him over with a car!”
“If it were me, I’d take the same project and cut his wire harness. Hehehe....”
I crossed my arms over my chest. My burning heart felt oddly soothed.
“...But right now, it technically never happened.”
Only I remembered it now. I couldn’t tell anyone.
And imagine I suddenly said I didn’t want to work with Goo Minho. What would Director Gong, Yun Hyeonjo, or Kwak Cheolsik think of me?
I laid a white pillow flat and started punching it.
“You! Why the hell are you here!”
The villain role in the 〈Faster Than the Law〉 series was the kind of role that stamped your name across Chungmuro as the hottest character of the year—a position that practically guaranteed success.
“I! Am here! And you, Goo Minho! What gives you the right to show your face!”
I wanted to get rid of him no matter what. I didn’t want to act alongside him.
Goo Minho, Goo Minho, Goo Minho...!
“You’re supposed to flop in every role you take! And yet you dare! In Law-Faster! Why!”
Disappear. Get out of my life. Get out of Chungmuro. Don’t even show your face on screen. Just disappear!
Pop—
“...Huh?”
The pillow burst, unable to withstand my punches. Maybe I’d just learned too well at the <Do It and It Works> action academy. Feathers shot up toward the ceiling and fluttered back down.
Bzz—bzz—bzz—
And then, as if perfectly timed, my phone rang.
[Old Man]
“AH!!! I trusted you!!!”
I greeted him more enthusiastically than any call I’d taken before. Right. It’s not that I can’t tell anyone. I have him.
-Were you waiting for me?
“So much. Seriously. Why didn’t you tell me Goo Minho was joining Law-Faster?”
-Hm? Someone like Goo Minho isn’t a bad card.
“He’s bad!!! He’s really bad!!!”
-You haven’t even met him yet... why?
I immediately tattled.
He hit me before. Get rid of him. Kick him out.
If I were at Ji Haebeom’s level, I could’ve kicked Goo Minho out even if he’d already signed the contract. But I wasn’t at that level yet.
I waited for Myeong Jeha’s answer, catching my breath.
His gentle voice came through the receiver.
-That must have hurt.
...Did it?
I touched my cheek with my left hand. Maybe it did. Or maybe it was the humiliation of it happening in front of others. Or the moment I couldn’t say anything because of that pathetic compensation—
-Were you really upset?
...Yeah.
Maybe I was.
My chest tightened, and I shouted.
“Ah! Don’t say things like that right now!”
-Why not?
“Because I feel like I’m going to cry! I have a schedule tomorrow, I can’t show up with a swollen face.”
At my emphatic reply, Myeong Jeha let out a quiet laugh.
-So that’s why. Your sunbaenims were worried about you.
“Me?”
-They said your expression looked off for a moment. Yun Hyeonjo sunbaenim said if it was something personal, he wouldn’t pry, so I just said I didn’t know either.
What? Yun Hyeonjo was worried about me?
It was touching, but even so, if I suddenly said I wanted Goo Minho gone, they wouldn’t accept it.
“But that’s that and this is this. Anyway, tell me how to get rid of him, Old Man.”
-Law-Faster... villain... hm....
From the way Myeong Jeha sounded like he was thinking, I sensed hope. Whenever he started turning things over in his head, an answer always came out.
-Goo Minho has connections on that side. I won’t tell you how he built them. Haha. So if we want to remove him, we need to bring in someone who can replace that.
Someone?
-For male actors who are already somewhat established, the Law-Faster villain role isn’t that attractive. Your screen time increases a lot in this installment.
“...Ah. That’s true.”
-A villain that risks getting overshadowed by a standout supporting character. They wouldn’t want that. And they can’t pressure for script changes either, right? The production, distribution, and everything else is all JC.
For a moment, I truly felt the sweetness of being backed by a powerful house.
Right. In 〈Faster Than the Law 3〉, the story revolves around the overseas kidnapping of Influencer 1.
There was no way my screen time could be reduced, and after the previous series’ success, JC wouldn’t back down either.
-They’d replace the male lead before they’d cut your part, Yeoreum.
“Say that again.”
Ah... I can feel a hundred Eun Baekhabs melting inside my heart... but wait.
“Then wouldn’t everything be solved if you just did it, Old Man?”
That’s it. That’s the answer. Thinking about it, there’s no better option than Myeong Jeha.
His debut film hit ten million. The next one hit ten million too. Would he get overshadowed by me in acting? No chance. If anything, if he joined, it would break records.
-You really like me.
“Come on, please. You could push out someone like Goo Minho easily.”
-I could... but I’m saving myself for something bigger.
Saving yourself for what!!!
I punched the already-burst pillow again. White feathers exploded into the air.
-Instead, I’ll tell you an actor who can push Goo Minho out.
“Who?”
-Good face, fits villain roles, has done similar performances before, and someone you could call to Taiwan with just one phone call.
Who is that?
-You still don’t get it?
“No. Can you stop giving me these Sphinx-style riddles? I’m seriously tired.”
-You need to learn to think for yourself, in case I’m not around one day.
“Why are you saying something so scary... anyway, who is it?”
The moment I heard his answer, I jumped in place. The white feathers on the bed scattered beautifully through the room.
“That’s right! Why didn’t I think of him!”
I had the answer.
I immediately called him.
“Sunbae!!!”
-Hey. What the hell. You almost blew out my eardrum.
“Let’s meet tomorrow!!!”
-Where? Are you back in Korea? Han Yeoreum, you only ever call when you need something. That’s your problem. What are you trying to squeeze out of me this time—
“In Taiwan!”
-What?
Joo Junseo.
The answer was Joo Junseo.
* * *
“I’m fine on drinks.”
Joo Junseo answered the flight attendant politely. This was a plane.
A plane headed to Taiwan.
‘What the hell is wrong with me....’
Letting out a frustrated sigh, Joo Junseo looked out the window. Beyond it stretched a vast blue sky. His sharp eyes briefly lost focus before closing. He thought back to why he was even sitting here.
“What did you just say? Meet in Taiwan? Are you drunk right now...?”
-No. I’m more sober than I’ve ever been.
Han Yeoreum had suddenly called him last night. And without explaining a single thing, she’d asked:
-Sunbae! Do you want to film a movie with me, or not!
“Ah, my ears, seriously....”
-Let’s do a movie together! Huh? Let’s bring back that punk from 〈Top Grade〉 just one more time! I genuinely thought your acting back then was such a waste. Honestly, sunbae, you’re punk-coded! You suit punk roles way too well!
“Are you picking a fight with me right now?”
It was exactly when a deep crease had formed between Joo Junseo’s brows because Han Yeoreum had suddenly called just to recommend a delinquent role—
-I really want to film with you, sunbae.
Han Yeoreum, who had been talking nonstop, paused to catch her breath.
-What about you?
Joo Junseo had still never filmed a movie before.
First web dramas, then a supporting role on public television, and finally even a romantic comedy lead—but his screen debut had still not happened.
After a moment of silence, he finally spoke.
“How soon do I need to be there?”
Even now, Joo Junseo couldn’t understand why he’d impulsively booked this flight.
But it was already too late to turn back.
“And why did she tell me to practice this?”
Even while thinking that, he stayed focused on continuously spinning a drumstick in one hand.
It was the exact same drumstick trick Han Yeoreum had shown in her 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 vlog.
* * *
The civil servant of Chungmuro, Director Gong, tightly gripped the straps of his crossbody bag with both hands.
‘Ah... I’m nervous....’
This was truly his first time going as far as overseas location filming while making a movie.
Because the 〈Faster Than the Law〉 series had posted strong results not only domestically but overseas as well, investors had come flooding in.
And in just a few days, 〈Faster Than the Law〉 would premiere in Taiwan.
The investors, too, would use that day as the turning point to decide whether to increase their investment budget or keep it fixed.
His stomach, which had shriveled the entire time during yesterday’s meeting with investors, still stung.
‘Still, today is just a light meal!’
It wouldn’t have the same atmosphere as yesterday.
Thinking that made Gong Mujin’s heart feel a little lighter.
“Oh? Director—!”
Han Yeoreum came running from afar.
Director Gong loosened the hand that had been gripping his bag strap. Han Yeoreum immediately began nonstop high-fiving his palm. Slap slap slap—the sounds rang out one after another.
“How long has it been? You saw it on the way here, right? Taiwan’s going crazy over Han Yeoreum. Director, can you feel how much I’ve made it?”
“Of course. The moment I saw that, all my nerves vanished at once. I was already thinking about how much you’d brag about yourself again...!”
“Director, perfect timing. I stocked up on this when I shot the CF last time because I wanted to give it to you. It’s one of the best gifts for Taiwan travelers, and it’s also Cheonhwa Pharmaceuticals’ calming pill—the one I’m modeling for. The medicinal effect is amazing, so hurry and take it.”
“Thanks. I was so nervous yesterday, I really... wait, what’s this too?”
“What do you mean what? It’s the mango smoothie you absolutely have to drink in Taiwan, from 95°C Bakery Café, where Han Yeoreum is the model. Since the calming pill is bitter, I brought this as a palate cleanser right away. Go on, chug it. Chug.”
“I’m touched... really, you’re the only one who empathizes with me, Yeoreum. Honestly, this time the villain role is really important, you know? More than anything, we have to go all the way to Macau. The actor has to fit that setting too.... We can’t waste the budget.”
“Exactly, exactly. Macau. Tough shooting location. I understand your heart completely. I empathize with all of it.”
Just standing next to Han Yeoreum made Gong Mujin’s tension gradually melt away.
Come to think of it, even though he’d come all the way to Taiwan for meetings, he still hadn’t tasted mango yet.
The sweet mango cooled the heat lingering inside his mouth.
“But the contract hasn’t been signed yet, right?”
“Hm?”
“Right?”
There was something strange about Han Yeoreum’s expression.
Gong Mujin nodded for now.
“Right. So today we’re just having a meal together first, and he’s your sunbae, but he’ll probably be very favorable toward you right now. You’re the maknae of our Law-Faster team, so he’ll treat you well.”
“Treat me well...?”
“Of course. He already seemed to understand the team atmosphere from the moment we sent the synopsis.”
“Goo Minho...?”
“So you heard? It’s basically a formal meal at this point, but it’s almost confirmed. The investors and our side are both reviewing Mr. Goo Minho positively—”
The more he spoke, the stranger Han Yeoreum’s face became.
Just as the slender Director Gong was trying to retreat half a step—
“Director. I really want to be buried with Law-Faster.”
“Why are you saying that... so terrifyingly...? There’s no need to bury bones.... None of us want your bones, Yeoreum....”
“I’m saying that’s how sincere I am about wanting this project to succeed.”
Still holding the mango smoothie with both hands, Han Yeoreum grabbed Director Gong’s forearm tightly and spoke as if pressing force into every syllable.
“You understand how I feel, right?”
“I do... so could you maybe let go of this first...?”
“If today’s meal is just ceremonial, then there’s one actor who would suit the villain role better than anyone else, someone who’d make even the investors leap to their feet and applaud...”
Director Gong suddenly remembered Kwak Cheolsik talking about Han Yeoreum’s action school saga.
“The colt’s incredible! She keeps getting better!”
Han Yeoreum said with sparkling eyes:
“Like a light, casual meeting with a Hallyu star, what if we also spent some time with a rising actor who’s trending right now? He just had a Hong Kong fan meeting recently too, so he can even say a few simple lines in Chinese, which would be great for making the atmosphere warm and lively. Director, you understand exactly what I mean, right? You empathize, right? You know I’m not the kind of person to challenge a director’s authority or anything, right? Right? This is purely from the lighthearted wish that the project turns out reeeally well. It just so happens the timing works perfectly....”
Director Gong simply nodded.
‘Yeoreum....’
But Han Yeoreum’s actor recommendation pitch still wasn’t over.
‘...She’s gotten really strong.’
And so 〈Faster Than the Law 3〉.
The “light” meal with investors for the villain role contract drew closer.
With one new actor added to the table—
someone who had never even been in consideration before.
