Chapter 73. Master Plan - VIP Preview

"Uh, hello!"

"Haha. I thought our daughter was acting strange, but she went into her room and came out with makeup on?"

"Ah, I had a test today, so my face was a mess without any makeup! Why didn't you tell me?"

Yeonwoo scratched his head and broke into a cold sweat.

"Well... bringing you back with a signature is better than just getting a signature, right?"

"Seohyun, I'll be a bit of a burden today."

"Wow...? You're staying over? At our house? Jin Yohan? This is crazy."

Seohyun entered the room and made a call to someone.

"Hey, something big is happening. Do you know who's at my house right now?"

Bang.

Yeonwoo shrugged his shoulders as he looked at the closed door.

"Sorry. She's a high school girl, you know."

"No, it's not that. She's cute and lively."

Later, as Seohyun came out of the room for dinner, she couldn't stop sneaking glances at Jin Yohan, even as she ate, not noticing if the food went up her nose.

After dinner, Yeonwoo and Jin Yohan studied the script, exchanged acting techniques, and practiced, improving the quality of the drama until late at night.

***

The scene being filmed at the special set was prepared with great effort by the staff, and the lead actors had even met in advance for a sort of pre-camp, which helped the lines flow smoothly and produced excellent scenes.

"Wow, this is really good. Keep up the quality like this."

"Haha. Of course, Director."

Director Hwang, who had been struggling with the declining ratings of KBC Channel 1's dramas due to changing times, was now enjoying a surge in ratings thanks to "Beyond Garam."

So far, "Beyond Garam" had aired six episodes, and the ratings had steadily risen, now almost catching up to its rival "Baldur," leading to a seesaw battle.

The plot had progressed significantly, with the three of them working together to chase down the arsonist in Kaegyeong, while Lee Jibae's feelings for Hong Eunyeon grew, and a mysterious, thrilling current was added between the bickering Seo Hee and Hong Eunyeon.

In the sixth episode aired yesterday, it depicted Seo Hee topping the civil service exam and Lee Jibae coming in second. The visual and acting chemistry were so perfect that the internet reactions were explosive.

Of course, in terms of production costs, the net profit of "Beyond Garam" was a clear victory over its rival.

"Now, isn't the movie starring actor Yeonwoo opening this week? It will boost our drama. Definitely."

"Oh, right. That's the movie directed by Park Chan-hong, isn't it? Then it's a sure bet to attract at least 4 million viewers."

As a top box office hitmaker in domestic commercial films, it was certain to help the drama to some extent.

***

Meanwhile, Yeonwoo was getting ready for the VIP preview today, the day before the movie's opening, by receiving makeup.

"Yeonwoo, I've been really enjoying your drama lately."

"It's really good!"

As the salon owner Jung Haneul spoke, the assistant staff behind her chimed in.

"Thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying it."

At that moment, the door opened, and Yeonwoo's stylist, Lee Ye-eun, entered with a pile of clothing carriers.

"Ye-eun-ssi."

"Yeonwoo, it's been a while."

Since there was no need for coordination or other schedules in the period drama, Ye-eun had been handling other entertainers under the management company recently.

"Right. It's been over a month since the movie production report, hasn't it?"

"Many brands have sent in clothes for us to wear. Let's try them on later."

Seeing the numerous suit carriers piled up next to Ye-eun, Yeonwoo broke into a sweat.

After setting everything up, Ye-eun tried on various outfits on Yeonwoo, looking like she was playing with a doll, with a face full of deliberation.

"I'm going crazy. They all suit you, which is a new kind of problem."

"I'm fine with any of them. How about this one?"

As Yeonwoo picked up one of the scattered clothes, Ye-eun nodded and then shook her head.

"Sure, that was good too. But is this one better? Ah, I don't know."

"Since the character in the movie is confident and playful, how about emphasizing that?"

Yeonwoo's suggestion made Ye-eun's eyes light up.

"Good. Let's match it with the movie's concept. Then this one!"

When Ye-eun came out in the outfit she had chosen, Jung Haneul and the assistant staff clapped.

"Perfect. Perfect. Hold on, we need to make some adjustments. Sit back down."

Jung Haneul adjusted the makeup to match the outfit, making it more intense and clear, like a cold, handsome man.

"Perfect...!"

At that moment, the door opened again, and Min-sung entered.

"It's almost time to leave. Are you ready?"

"Yes. Take him. Our baby is perfect."

Jung Haneul handed Yeonwoo over to Min-sung like an artist passing on a masterpiece.

***

Sung-sik, Jun-su, and Yoo-ri entered the preview venue with a more relaxed pace, as it was their second time.

Many actors and celebrities, including Son Jin-wook, had already entered.

Seeing the front row where the actors were sitting, they noticed Jung Su-yeon.

"Hey, that's Su-yeon."

Hearing her name, Su-yeon turned around, saw the children, and waved with a smile. She then stood up and moved to sit next to the children.

"Su-yeon!"

"Kids! Yoo-ri-ssi!"

Su-yeon greeted her friends, who had become much closer after their trip, with a smile.

Having no close friends before, she was very happy to see the new faces of her friends.

As they were happily greeting each other, Yoo-ri's eyes widened.

"Hey, that's Jin Yohan. Ah!"

Jun-su poked Yoo-ri in the side.

"Ouch, why?"

"Even if you're a fan, Yeonwoo might allow it, but not Jin Yohan."

Seeing Jun-su's jealous face, Yoo-ri smiled.

Then, Yeonwoo's family entered and sat down, and Jin Yohan approached, greeting them with a smile.

"Hey, it seems Yeonwoo's parents and Jin Yohan know each other."

"Have they met before while filming with Yeonwoo?"

"But Yeonwoo's sister Seohyun has grown a lot. Good genes, huh. She's gotten prettier."

This time, Yoo-ri poked Jun-su in the side.

"Why? She's still a high school student. She's still a kid."

"Ha, you were a high school student when you contacted me, too."

Seeing the two bickering, Jung Su-yeon smiled slightly, looking a bit envious, while Woo Sung-sik covered his mouth and shook his head playfully.

Meanwhile, Lee Jin-a, the cafe manager with the nickname 'Yenujina,' had met with the members an hour early and was leading them into the VIP preview venue after receiving guidance from an entertainment company staff member.

"Wow, my hands are shaking."

"None of us have seen the actors in person, right?"

"Except for Yuritokki, who said she's a senior at the same school, no one else has, right?"

"I saw him from a distance at the Korean Art Awards."

"We need to remember everything we see and hear today and share it with the fan cafe members, except for the movie content. It's a big responsibility."

The fan cafe members chattered as they entered and sat in the designated front seats. Soon, the staff's signal to start the preview was heard.

The lights dimmed, and the main trailer for "Master Plan" began to play on the screen.

- Well, you understand. There's no choice. I'll take care of the money. Someone has to take the fall, right?

- I can't live like this. I can earn money again, so if it can be resolved, I'll give it all.

- Are you Pierre Choi?

- How about we make it a bigger game?

The fans were already familiar with the lines and sound effects from the trailer, having watched it dozens of times on YouTube.

The trailer ended, and the lights came back on as the door to the side of the stage opened.

Director Park Chan-hong led the way, followed by Ma Seok-do, Ryu Yeonwoo, Han Seohyun, and Jung Hahyeon.

"Wow, what do we do? It's our actor."

"My heart is about to burst."

At that moment, the announcer's voice echoed through the speakers.

"Please give them a big round of applause."

Wow!

The audience erupted in cheers and applause even without being prompted.

Following the announcer's guidance, Director Park Chan-hong and the others took turns greeting the audience. As they reached Ma Seok-do, it was Yeonwoo's turn.

As Yeonwoo took the microphone, everyone quieted down.

Then, a loud cheer from a female fan, like a martial arts master's lion's roar, echoed through the venue.

"Wow, so handsome!"

Ha ha ha.

The venue erupted in laughter, and the audience looked around to see who had made the noise.

Lee Jin-a, the fan cafe manager, was surprised to see that it was a fan who had been shy and quiet since they first met at the cafe.

The fan, who had mustered the courage to shout loudly, was now blushing and burying her head.

'...Is that it! Maybe she was saving up her energy to let it all out at once.'

Lee Jin-a took out her smartphone and started writing in a note app, drawing a strange conclusion and feeling like she had learned a new trick.

As the laughter in the venue subsided, Yeonwoo took the microphone again and began his greeting with a smile.

"Thank you for your loud cheers."

Yeonwoo looked at the shy fan, who had peeked her head out, and made a heart with his fingers, causing her to blush and bury her head again. The other members of the fan cafe were hitting her arm, causing a commotion.

'Indeed, great courage deserves a great response.'

Seeing this, Lee Jin-a nodded and opened the note app again.

Yeonwoo continued.

"This movie is a gift from all of us, the staff and actors, who put our hearts and souls into it. I hope you enjoy it, and I'm truly grateful for your valuable time today."

As Yeonwoo finished his speech and bowed, the audience erupted in cheers.

Jin Yohan nodded, looking at his friend on stage.

'I need to show a leading actor's presence in future press conferences and interviews.'

Reflecting on his past self, who usually gave short answers when holding a microphone, Jin Yohan resolved to improve himself.

After Han Seohyun and Jung Hahyeon finished their greetings, the actors descended from the stage amidst loud cheers.

The theater gradually darkened.

The title of the movie, "Master Plan," appeared on the screen with a black background.

The deceivers and the deceived.

And finally, the first movie starring Ryu Yeonwoo began.