After finishing all the filming, he returned home.
Since Seo Eun-hye planned to take care of her grandmother, who had been discharged from the hospital, the only person at home was Lee Min-joon.
Coming home from work to an empty house was incredibly lonely.
Lee Min-joon tightly hugged Seo Jun, who laughed and hugged his father back.
"Well, I'm leaving now."
Waving goodbye to the father and son who were enthusiastically embracing, Kim Hee-sang was about to return home to enjoy his vacation when Lee Min-joon grabbed his shoulder.
"What? What is it?"
"Can you go to America for a bit?"
Lee Min-joon smiled kindly, but Kim Hee-sang felt a chill.
"America?!"
Seo Jun, who was taking out the gifts from Ji-seok and his grandparents from the magic bag, tilted his head. America? Why America?
"Uncle Hee-sang, are you going to America?"
"Yep."
"No! I'm not going! Why should I?"
Despite Kim Hee-sang's outburst, Lee Min-joon dragged him into the living room. The three of them sat around the table.
"Why America all of a sudden?"
"Director Shadowman wants to meet Seo Jun to discuss a movie contract. If we don't go, he'll come here, which would be a bit too much. While we're there, Seo Jun can also play with Jack at the amusement park."
Movie! Seo Jun, who was eating the watermelon Lee Min-joon had prepared, suddenly perked up.
"Then why don't you go?"
"I can't because of work."
"Am I doing another movie?"
"Seo Jun, do you want to after reading the synopsis?"
"Wow!!"
Seo Jun raised both hands. As one movie ended, another began.
Wait, hold on. Isn't it just an extra role again? Seo Jun, who wanted to try all the roles he could at this age, decided to read the synopsis and decide based on what Lee Min-joon said.
"So, I want you to join our company."
"Not our company, but yours."
Kim Hee-sang subtly pointed out. The company had grown to the point of signing contracts with factories, but finding someone trustworthy to work with was difficult. After his dream vacation, Kim Hee-sang would have a lot of work to handle alone.
Before that, he needed a truly reliable employee. For example, someone he had known since middle school and could trust, and whose father was an investor, making him capable of using money efficiently.
Lee Min-joon!
"No, Seo Jun's money from his YouTube channel is also an investment. So, it's his company too. I don't have anyone I can trust and delegate to. If you join, I'll make you a co-CEO."
Kim Hee-sang's words made Lee Min-joon think.
"Because of work, you can't go with Seo Jun this time. And who knows when the next business trip will be? It might even be twice or three times as long as last time. If you join our company, I'll adjust the schedule for you! I'll give you a good salary! And you'll have less work!"
Kim Hee-sang tried hard to persuade Lee Min-joon. If this didn't work, he was prepared to lie down and throw a tantrum.
Lee Min-joon sighed. He had also discussed it with Seo Eun-hye. He realized that Seo Eun-hye might have an urgent matter due to her grandmother's hospitalization. The couple needed more flexible time to take care of Seo Jun, or they needed to find someone trustworthy.
"Alright."
"Great! When do you want to start?!"
"I need some time for the handover."
"Take as much as you need!"
"First, you should go to America with Seo Jun this time."
"Isn't that a contract? Can I go?"
"The agent can go, and I said I would go with you."
Nara Kim. Kim Hee-sang, who had become friends with Nara during his stay at Seo Jun's house, nodded.
"Meet the director and play with Jack. I'll also give you some gifts."
Seo Jun smiled brightly. He had only been away for a few months but missed Jack a lot.
"I'll see Jack, Maria, and Eric! And Aunt Nara too!"
He placed a few monster dolls in front of Lee Min-joon.
"Can you give these too?"
"Sure. Let's pack them."
Two days later, Seo Jun and Kim Hee-sang boarded a flight to LA, loaded with gifts for their American friends.
* * *
Title: Only Walk on Paths in the Mountains
Author: Junbeopje
Only walk on paths in the mountains. Don't get carried away and enter the forest.
While wandering in the mountains, I fell into a pit trap for wild boars and my leg was bent backward. I couldn't imagine a human leg could bend like that.
It was so painful and scary that I screamed for help, but no one came. I didn't know how much time had passed... It was so cold and exhausting. I cried and fainted.
When I opened my eyes, I was in the hospital. They said it would have been dangerous if I had stayed in the pit longer due to hypothermia. However, the doctor was surprised that my body temperature was normal.
A child actor who was filming a movie in the village found and rescued me. My savior. I plan to watch the movie ten times.
+) I don't know how he found me. Only the villagers knew the location of the pit.
Bored in the hospital, the boy browsed the internet and posted his story.
Not many people read it, and there were no comments. Embarrassed, he almost deleted it but asked the grandfather who was peeling fruit next to him.
"What's the name of the movie, Grandpa?"
"Hmm, Devil? Spirit? Something like that?"
"Devil. Spirit."
The boy searched for "Devil" and "Spirit" in the search bar. Similar titles of foreign and Korean movies appeared, but they were all released.
"When was it released?"
"Early August, I think. The villagers plan to go see it."
It was early July. It was the time for advertisements to start, but the movie currently being advertised on TV and the internet was:
[The Hero Returns, Redbone 2! Mid-July Release!]
"Oh! Redbone 2 is coming out next week!"
The boy's eyes sparkled.
It was Redbone 2, produced by Marine Company.
* * *
The moviegoer turned on a YouTube live stream.
"Hello, viewers. I'm starting the third Q&A session to celebrate the release of Redbone 2. This is not because I missed the pre-screening and am just killing time. I planned this originally."
-Next loser.
-LOL So who is it today?
"Today, we'll talk about actor Seo Jun, who made a splash in April. I'll answer all your questions based on the information I have. We also have a special guest."
Someone waved from the side of the screen. The moviegoer continued with a gloomy expression.
"My sister. I hired her for a hefty fee because she knows a lot about Seo Jun. She won't appear on screen, so please ignore her. Now, let's take the first question!"
-From internet articles and rumors, it seems Hollywood studios are sending scripts. When do you expect Seo Jun's next project?
The moviegoer nodded.
"An actor can't help but think about the next project. Especially for Seo Jun, who appeared in a Marine Company film, even as an extra, many people might be waiting for his next project. Unlike other actors who usually return within 1-2 years, I think 2 years might be a bit early for Seo Jun, considering his age. Unless he grows enough to handle more lines, he might get another minor role without lines."
-Honestly, I think people are making a fuss because he's Korean. Melissa Walton was clearly better.
The moviegoer nodded after reading the comment.
"Frankly, not many people watch a movie multiple times just to cry. I wouldn't have watched it 15 times if it wasn't for my review video. People who don't post on the internet or are not YouTubers probably wouldn't watch it that many times. Most people might just find it interesting or proud that a Korean appeared. Articles about Seo Jun are often dismissed as hype. But."
The moviegoer stated firmly.
"As Seo Jun grows, more people will appreciate his acting. He will become an incredible actor."
-Next project: Hollywood or Korea?
"This is a controversial topic. Regardless of whether Seo Jun is in the U.S. or Korea, I think it's better for him to appear in Hollywood films, even as an extra!"
-?? Why?
"This might sound a bit strange, but let's think about baseball. Imagine an unknown Korean player who somehow gets to play in a Major League game."
-How? LOL
"It's an example! The game wasn't crucial for the championship, but it drew a lot of attention. In that game, the unknown Korean player hit a game-winning home run against a Major League pitcher. The team he was on won, and it caused a stir in both Korea and the U.S. People would be curious about the player and how he would grow. Now, imagine the Korean player has to decide which team to join."
-Our team! Come to our team!1
-? He should play in the Majors! The salary is much better!
-Majors 1
"And a few days later, this player, who was called the next Major League star, appears in a Korean stadium."
-? Why? Why not the Majors?
-He's not that good LOL They're all broke over there LOL
"But what if this player occasionally appears in Major League games, even if it's just once in a while?"
-He'll grow, right? He has great potential?
-Being in the Majors, they must have tested him thoroughly.
"Let's apply this to Seo Jun. How would people think if Seo Jun stayed in Hollywood? How would they think if he appeared in Korean films?"
-The analogy is a bit strange... But I might think the same way.
-One-hit wonders aren't just there for nothing.
-Then, it's better if he doesn't appear in Korean films at all?
The moviegoer thought for a moment before speaking.
"Seo Jun needs to prove that he can act in Hollywood films at any time. At least for the next few projects, he should appear in Hollywood films, and they should be successful, with him taking memorable roles."
-But wouldn't it be better to get a good salary and appear in Korean films, given his name value?
"......?"
The moviegoer tilted his head. Where did this idiot come from?
-???
-??
-Why? I know Seo Jun appeared in the Elephant ad and 48 Hours. The Elephant ad was banned due to international regulations, and the 48 Hours appearance fee wasn't much, right?
"......You really don't know. I did forget to mention it when I reviewed Shadowman. Thanks for the info, my sister."
The moviegoer opened a web browser and went to YouTube, then entered the channel [JUN].
"Look at the views, subscribers, and likes. See them?"
-There... There are so many.
-LOL I've never seen such high views LOL
"As long as there are 20-month-old babies and their parents in the world, Seo Jun's career won't fail."
-What if YouTube fails?
"He'll release DVDs and sell them."
The moviegoer shrugged.
-What role do you want Seo Jun to play?
"Good point. I was so impressed by his performance as William, so I hope he gets a similar role next."
The live stream continued.
* * *
On the day of the Redbone 2 pre-screening.
Choi Min-ji, a PR team member at MovieDream, the production company of "Spirit," entered the pre-screening venue with a pounding heart. She was thrilled to see Redbone 2 a few days before others. Many people who came to the pre-screening also had excited faces.
"Here we are."
Choi Min-ji sat down, turned off her phone, and sat reverently. She even took a day off to see Redbone 2.
The venue soon went dark.
The Marine Company logo appeared on the black screen, and the Redbone OST played from the speakers. Her heart raced.
Two hours passed in a flash. The movie ended.
Clap clap clap!!
Loud applause filled the room, and Choi Min-ji clapped enthusiastically. The names of Marine Company and director Ryan Will appeared on the black screen. Soon, the names of the cast, crew, and collaborators would appear.
Choi Min-ji quickly gathered her things to leave. Other audience members also started to stand up, turning their backs on the slowly rising end credits.
But the lights in the pre-screening venue didn't turn on.
"What's going on?"
Choi Min-ji's voice was drowned out by the sounds of other audience members, who were standing awkwardly.
Ding!
Choi Min-ji and the others looked at the screen.
* * *
"Aah. Turn on! Turn on quickly!"
Choi Min-ji, who had left the pre-screening venue, quickly turned on her phone. She couldn't even wait for it to boot up.
Some people passing by her were rubbing their arms, shivering, and others had restless expressions.
She had been using the same phone for five years. Choi Min-ji vowed to get a new one with her bonus as soon as this was over. Bonus! Yes! This is a bonus!
Ding!
The phone finally turned on. Choi Min-ji looked around and headed to a corner, quickly calling a senior in the PR team she was close with.
She cursed at the senior, who wasn't answering the phone. Why! Why aren't you answering!
-Why?
"Senior! Why are you answering now!"
The senior, who received Choi Min-ji's call, took the phone away from his ear and looked at the screen. It was the junior, Choi Min-ji. Right?
-Senior! Are you listening?!
The senior tilted his head, wondering if this was really the same junior who was usually so nice.
"Uh, yeah. I'm listening."
The senior scratched his forehead. The team leader's head perked up, hearing Choi Min-ji's voice through the phone.
"She seems fired up. If she's not busy, tell her to come to work."
"Should I?"
The senior chuckled at the team leader's joke.
"Are you done playing and coming to work now?"
-Yes!
"......What?"
-I'm coming! Everyone is waiting! Taxi!!!
Silence fell over the PR team. Only Choi Min-ji's shouts of "Taxi! Taxi!" echoed.
The team leader quietly asked.
"Choi Min-ji, are you really okay?"
The door to the PR room burst open.
Choi Min-ji, with a flushed face and out of breath, had come to work on her precious day off. The expressions of the PR team members changed.
Choi Min-ji, without even greeting, got straight to the point.
"Is there anyone who absolutely doesn't want to spoil the movie?"
"Then you can't work for a movie production company."
Work was essentially about spoilers. Hearing it from staff and directors, and accidentally letting slip something that ended up in the movie. Everyone shook their heads. The team leader asked.
"So, what's the matter?"
The expressions of the PR team members changed as they listened to Choi Min-ji's story. The team leader, who had been listening absentmindedly, opened his mouth wide in surprise at the unexpected story.