The Face Genius Actor

Episode 103

After the broadcast ended.

I went to a community site to check the comment reactions.

[The translation then lists numerous comments from viewers about the episode, discussing Lee Si-joon and Ji Jung-hyun’s appearances, their chemistry, the games they played, and speculating about who the spies might be. The comments are generally positive, praising Lee Si-joon’s appearance, his game performance, and the entertainment value of the episode.]

As expected, the reaction to wasn’t bad.

It was fortunate that our filming was broadcast not too late.

‘Asking to move up the broadcast date as a condition for appearing on was effective.’

It seemed that setting Ji Jung-hyun’s appearance as a condition, given he doesn’t often appear on variety shows, was a good bait.

Also, by this time, had already attracted 5.61 million viewers and was very popular.

And we two had proven what we could do on variety shows by appearing on .

From ’s perspective, there were enough reasons to create a special episode, even if it meant moving up the broadcast date.

‘If we do well, couldn’t this broadcast make the audience grow even faster?’

Currently, had recorded 8.36 million viewers in 15 days since its release.

It was already an incredible performance that had surpassed the break-even point.

But I hoped could achieve even better results.

The result I was secretly hoping for was 10 million.

10 million.

It was a record that everyone in the film industry dreamed of, but honestly, it wasn’t easy to achieve.

It wasn’t a number that could be achieved just because a film was well-made.

Many factors had to align well.

Even before my regression had barely failed to surpass 10 million viewers.

However, with me, Ji Jung-hyun, and Director Kim Pil-sung putting our heads together, had become a better film than before.

In addition, the promotion process for was unprecedentedly smooth.

Dreaming of an audience of 10 million wasn’t an unreasonable situation.

‘With one or two more weeks of audience growth, it’s a completely achievable number.’

The number of theaters showing the film was still well maintained.

If the appearance on added momentum…

Certainly, terrestrial broadcasts had influence.

The evidence was that video clips of me and Ji Jung-hyun’s performance were spreading across various community sites.

It seemed that the unexpected charm shown by both me and Ji Jung-hyun had piqued the public’s interest.

There was also a synergy effect with the characters we had established on .

The interest in me and Ji Jung-hyun would clearly lead to interest in .

Comments were already appearing, expressing curiosity about what kind of acting we would show in .

Even those who were about to pass it by would think, “Maybe I’ll watch the movie?” as interest increased.

‘The audience will definitely grow more. But it shouldn’t be too late…’

There were only two weeks left.

In two weeks, it would be decided whether could become a 10 million viewer movie.

* * *

After filming .

Meanwhile, I did my best to promote by doing stage greetings.

I also didn’t forget to appear on radio broadcasts or promote through the production company’s YouTube channel in between.

Perhaps as a result of everyone’s efforts shining through.

finally surpassed 10 million viewers in its 4th week of release.

Considering how we had worried about whether the movie could be made due to investment issues, this was an incredible achievement.

“10 million! 10 million!”

“Congratulations, actor!”

“Congratulations, director!”

“Everyone worked hard!”

For this reason, all those involved with couldn’t help but raise their voices in joy.

Of course, I had somewhat anticipated the success of .

But as mentioned earlier, surpassing 10 million viewers was beyond what I remembered.

Before the regression, hadn’t reached 10 million.

So I could feel more rewarded for investing my own money and negotiating with Festa Entertainment to make a better movie.

This was especially true because the movie was about to be taken down from theaters in a few days.

‘I’m really glad we surpassed 10 million not too late.’

Above all, was the first movie I starred in after the regression.

It was also the first movie in my entire life where I played the lead role.

Before the regression, I had never played the lead role in a movie.

For me, just appearing in was enough to make me happy.

And to achieve such results.

It was a new feeling, and I could feel confidence blooming in my chest.

The fact that my acting had advanced to another level through also satisfied me.

Looking at the work with a producer’s mindset.

It was clear that without , I wouldn’t have reached this level yet.

As I was immersed in these thoughts, Director Kim Pil-sung approached.

“Thank you, Actor Lee Si-joon. Thanks to you, our movie could be this successful.”

Director Kim Pil-sung also seemed moved by the achievement of 10 million viewers, with moisture in his eyes.

I grasped Director Kim Pil-sung’s hand and replied.

“You worked hard too, Director. And thank you so much for letting me appear in .”

In fact, I was feeling the greatest joy from having appeared in Director Kim Pil-sung’s work.

Contributing to the success by appearing in Director Kim Pil-sung’s work had a particularly special meaning for me.

‘Maybe because I had that conversation with Director Kim Pil-sung that day… I was able to regress.’

The last day before the regression was the worst for me.

It felt like the last thread of hope I was barely holding onto had snapped.

Of course, even in the last moment, I tried to grasp that thread of hope again.

But I couldn’t deny that that day was incredibly difficult.

Perhaps from the next day, I might have said I could no longer act.

But I got another chance through regression, and after much effort, I gained Director Kim Pil-sung’s recognition and was able to appear in the work.

That fact boosted my self-esteem.

It felt like I was standing tall as an actor.

‘Director Kim Pil-sung will never know what I’m thinking right now…’

But it didn’t matter.

What’s important is that I’m living a happy life as an actor now.

As I was organizing my thoughts like this,

Ji Jung-hyun approached us two who were talking.

“If the congratulations are over, let’s start preparing for the stage greeting.”

Ji Jung-hyun’s gaze turned towards the door, and only then did I realize that a theater staff member was standing there.

Today was the day for stage greetings in Busan.

* * *

In the end, made history by attracting 10.93 million viewers.

This was the 24th highest audience record in South Korean history.

Thus, my first challenge in movies concluded far exceeding expectations.