Chapter 138
Hollywood, where luxurious buildings stood in rows.
Among them, one particularly imposing building exuded a commanding presence.
It was owned by AST, one of the seven major film studios representing Hollywood.
With the boom of the cinematic universe, it could be said to lead the trend without question.
"……."
On the ninth floor of AST’s headquarters, a man slowly opened his mouth.
"So that’s how it turned out."
"I’m truly sorry about this."
"It’s fine. Recruitment can’t always be successful."
The man holding a takeout coffee cup, Director Bae Jung Mun, smiled warmly.
"Even for AST or the great Emma Spector, it seems."
At his calm remark, the middle-aged woman standing before him, Emma Spector, twisted her lips.
"It’s infuriating. Really infuriating. It’s been ages since I’ve been rejected."
Indeed, today’s hot topic was how she had approached Lee Min Ki directly to scout him, only to be flatly turned down.
And it wasn’t just their private topic of conversation.
It had already been two days since the news spread.
The entire AST headquarters had been flabbergasted by Lee Min Ki’s audacity.
[Emma Spector got rejected?]
[By whom?]
[Lee Min Ki.]
[Who is that?]
[She went to an unknown actor and got rejected?]
It was hard to believe.
Of all people, Emma Spector being turned down.
[Serves her right for being so full of herself.]
[She probably spouted some nonsense and got shot down.]
Of course, there were exceptions.
Exceptions always existed in any case.
[Let’s hope this humbled her a bit.]
[She keeps bragging about being a genius every day. I found that annoying.]
[The actor probably sensed something instinctively.]
[What did she even say to him?]
Exceptions.
They were exceptions indeed.
In any case, they were still exceptions.
Generalizing is bad.
Unable to calm her frustration, Emma Spector gritted her teeth and spat out words.
"That actor is strange. Does this make sense? I’m the one who approached him. Me, Emma Spector. Does that actor have some problem with his head?"
Director Bae Jung Mun, who could vaguely guess the murmurs among AST employees, smiled wryly and spoke again.
"For people like us, failing to close a deal is a common occurrence, isn’t it?"
"No, that’s not it. In the past two years, I haven’t personally sought out anyone, not even top stars."
"Wow, Odin Universe is really something."
"Who do you think created those films? They’re guaranteed hits. These days, investors come forward without even needing proposals. Sponsorships are pouring in, to the point where choosing one is more difficult."
That was the status of the Odin Universe.
Corporations and actors alike were desperate to latch onto it in any way possible.
"That’s why I can’t understand it. Why did he reject it?"
"Hmm."
Director Bae Jung Mun, finding her response difficult to grasp, smiled faintly.
Then, he managed to offer a single explanation.
"Could it be because of the exclusivity for four projects?"
It wasn’t common for someone to accept such terms.
Even for top stars, it was rare to impose such exclusivity.
The number of projects tied to an actor was usually adjusted based on their standing.
One project for major stars.
Two for moderately established actors.
Three or fewer for those without significant expectations.
‘Four projects were indeed excessive.’
It was practically a mortgage on an actor’s career, making rejection understandable.
But Emma Spector was still...
"It was an opportunity to become a star in Hollywood. Endure for just a few years, and they could have secured enough money to live comfortably for the rest of their life."
She seemed unable to suppress her frustration.
"Does he think he’s something special?"
He must have been confident.
A belief that he could succeed even without Odin Universe.
‘Considering how many actors eventually cave, it’s clear that Actor Lee Min Ki is unique.’
Even so, it was regrettable.
This offer had been initiated by none other than Director Bae Jung Mun himself.
Having owed Lee Min Ki a debt of gratitude, he had wanted to repay it by arranging a good opportunity.
Now that things had turned out this way, he had nothing more to say.
‘Still, it’s a shame.’
Given his acting skills, he thought Lee Min Ki could easily succeed in Hollywood.
Was something not aligning?
Did he dislike Odin Universe, or was there another reason?
Could it be that Lee Min Ki preferred artistic value over commercial success?
Were there any alternative options?
‘I just want to do something for him.’
Even after doing all he could, his sense of gratitude toward Lee Min Ki remained.
Deep in thought, torn between the company’s stance and his personal feelings, he pondered for a while.
‘Hmm?’
Suddenly.
A voice reached Director Bae Jung Mun’s ears.
A very ominous voice.
"It’s a blow to my pride."
The word "pride."
Beyond simple grumbling, Emma Spector’s voice was tinged with outright hostility.
"I listened to Director Bae’s suggestion, personally went there, discussed the contract terms, and offered to bring him in. And he rejected me?"
"……."
"How arrogant. What’s so great about him? At best, he’s an actor you can replace at any time. Just because he gained some popularity in his home country, does he think he can be cocky overseas too?"
Even if someone were an enemy, would they go this far?
At that moment, Director Bae Jung Mun recalled.
Emma Spector’s reputation for her ability was stellar within and outside the company, but her character never received good reviews.
‘…Actor Lee Min Ki, you’ve made an enemy of Emma Spector.’
Her relationships with actors were disastrous.
Once she fell out with an actor, she would never work with them again and would even spread malicious rumors to related companies.
Contrary to her talent, her excessively twisted personality had earned her the nickname "Hollywood’s Witch."
"Just wait and see. Can an actor without a single connection in Hollywood succeed on his own?"
"……."
"Director, AST’s studios will never use Lee Min Ki in the future. Neither will any of AST’s partner companies."
As Emma Spector growled like a leopard, Director Bae Jung Mun let out a small sigh and thought.
‘Please, let there be no problems.’
Ah.
Still, he had to say one thing.
"Time will tell who’s right and wrong."
"The director is absolutely correct. That actor will definitely regret it."
It seemed he didn't fully understand.
A few days later.
The return to Korea was just around the corner.
"Wow, it’s already out."
Lee Min Ki exclaimed with an excited expression, holding the latest issue of [LE] he had picked up from a nearby bookstore.
"This turned out amazing!"
On the very first page of LE, there was a photo spread.
It was none other than Lee Min Ki.
He had become the face of the magazine, staring into the distance with a sorrowful expression.
Above the image, a sophisticated font carried the following caption:
[Cutting edge]
The phrase often implied being at the forefront, innovative, and modern.
Lee Min Ki gave a small smile at the sharply written tagline.
"So, this is the day I get such a caption."
Initially, he had thought it was just an interview.
But it turned out to be the magazine’s cover story, featuring him as the main interview.
Even the caption was strikingly stylish.
Although he had briefly skimmed through its contents online, reading a magazine in print offered a unique charm.
As he peeled off the plastic cover, Manager Park Han Mo, who had quietly approached, tilted his head and chimed in.
"Hmm, it’s a stunning shot."
"Right?"
"I expected no less from Dominic Chen, but this is top-tier even for him."
From the cover photo alone, it was evident.
Dominic Chen wasn’t called a world-class photographer for nothing.
In the picture, Lee Min Ki gazed into the distance with melancholic eyes.
Simply looking at his gaze seemed to evoke a flood of emotions.
It appeared as if he was staring bravely into an uncharted world.
At times, he seemed apprehensive.
At other times, feelings of anger, ambition, joy, and even euphoria could be sensed.
His straight nose looked as though it could slice through the air like a blade.
His sleek, brushstroke-like eyes radiated both kindness and masculinity.
A faint smile lingered on his lips, barely noticeable unless one focused closely.
It was hard to pinpoint and say, "This is it!"
But when taken as a whole:
"The photo has depth."
It was a single frame brimming with interpretive potential.
Could so many complex emotions be captured in just one photograph?
The internet had also exploded with reactions to this image.
[This is why he’s an actor.]
[Is this eye acting, or does he just naturally have such a gaze?]
[An actor with beautiful eyes.]
[It’s like there’s a universe in his pupils.]
[Exquisite Eastern beauty.]
Even critics had nothing to complain about.
The sheer quality of the photo left them with no choice.
However, Lee Min Ki, who knew the story behind the picture, could only chuckle lightly.
"This photo... It’s from a moment when we were joking around."
That was right.
During the shoot, Dominic Chen had casually thrown out a lighthearted remark.
"Look into the empty sky. Imagine there’s a dragon flying. How do you feel seeing it?"
He had thought it was just a joke.
A comment meant to lighten the mood.
But looking back, perhaps it was a bit of a bluff.
"Now, let’s get to the interview. Quickly."
Lee Min Ki tried to calm his excitement as he flipped the cover open.
And a few minutes later.
He could only laugh.
The overall tone of the interview was, as expected, overwhelmingly full of praise.
[Q. Congratulations on winning Last Man Standing. How does it feel to receive the award?]
[A. Thanks to your support, many patients with lung disease have had their lives saved. I’m deeply grateful.
I hope you’ll continue to show interest in the future.]
[Q. Do you plan to break into Hollywood soon?]
[A. The company has approached me several times with offers. However, my country has a saying, “A great vessel takes time to build.” I plan not to rush.]
[Q. Isn’t that a bit contradictory considering how quickly you rose to stardom?]
[A. Caught me (laughs). Honestly, I do want to make it big, but this is an interview (laughs). It’s my ambition as an actor. I’ll always give my best.]
However, the most entertaining part lay elsewhere.
The line written just below was immensely amusing.
[According to information secretly obtained by our team, Lee Min Ki has already received a casting offer from a major Hollywood studio.
This studio is renowned for its hero franchise films.
Perhaps in the near future, we may see Lee Min Ki soaring across the theater screens as a dynamic hero?]
It referred to the time Emma Spector from AST had directly visited to discuss a potential meeting.
So they had overheard and decided to publish it, huh.
Had this been a Korean media outlet, the backlash and complaints would have been relentless.
But American media didn’t bother with such things.
"That deal is already off the table, though."
Still, he wasn’t upset.
Generating buzz wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Just by glancing at the internet, the heated reactions were apparent.
[The outfit is stunning.]
[It’s reportedly entering the Seimei Department Store collection soon.]
[The actor is so captivating the clothes barely register.]
[Handsome, kind-hearted, and an amazing actor.]
[It’s clear Korea is leading the trend globally.]
[Is this the Odin Universe?]
[Who is he? Unpredictable? Anonymous?]
[Incredible. Finally, a proper Asian hero in the Odin Universe.]
[Does his ethnicity matter?]
[This actor is simply so charismatic I want to see him regardless.]
He had gained everything he needed.
Though his trip to America had been short, it was intensely fruitful.
The American Dream truly existed.
Lee Min Ki closed the magazine with that thought.
As he stood up, ready to suggest eating premium Korean beef once they returned home, Manager Park Han Mo spoke up.
"Sir."
Park Han Mo addressed him.
"There’s a project offer."
"An offer?"
Lee Min Ki responded nonchalantly.
These days, proposals were nothing unusual.
Ever since Fashion and Passion had become a hit, his acting skills had been recognized within the industry.
On top of that, he was now gaining attention for his buzzworthy presence in America.
He had reached a point where he could afford to be selective.
"Not sure what kind of project it is, though."
Still, receiving offers was never a bad thing.
It made his heart race like a child excited before a school picnic.
"This is the project."
Manager Park Han Mo turned his laptop screen to show Lee Min Ki.
In the next moment.
"……!"
Lee Min Ki’s eyes widened.
As if he had seen something he shouldn’t have.
Seeing his expression, Manager Park Han Mo muttered as if he understood.
"Yes, we should reject this. It’s not significant. If you’ve already turned down Odin Universe, we need to aim for something comparable at the very least."
His tone suggested no expectations for the project at all.
Indeed, the director and synopsis didn’t make it seem particularly special.
Manager Park Han Mo’s judgment was entirely rational.
"Sir, if you’re considering entering the foreign market, you need to choose more carefully."
However.
Even considering all of that, this time, Lee Min Ki found it hard to agree.
Given the situation.
And given the project.
"Right."
Lee Min Ki’s eyes gleamed.
"This is exactly the kind of project we need."
The Odin Universe.
It was indeed an extraordinary franchise.
But it wasn’t the only path to global success.