Superstar 786
by CristaeEpisode 786 of Superstar from Birth
—What? The news?
At Lee Jiseok’s sudden, “I might be on the news,” Yoon Seong-oh’s surprised voice came through the phone. Sitting in the driver’s seat, Seojun held back his laughter.
“Yes. The news.”
The way Jiseok hyung playfully emphasized the word made it clear he’d said “news” on purpose.
—Uh, hold on, hold on a sec.
It was obvious even over the phone that Manager Yoon Seong-oh’s mind was spinning at full speed after hearing something that might be a bombshell from his actor.
‘This hyung is crazy about acting, but less than Seojun. He’s never caused trouble before. If it were any other kind of news, I would’ve known already…’
That kind of thought.
Then it hit him—where exactly Jiseok was right now.
—…Wait, hyung, aren’t you on your way with Seojun to see Jongho hyung’s play?
Wasn’t it Jiseok who, right at the time of the appointment, headed to Seojun’s house with an expensive bottle of wine already picked out as a gift? And now he was saying he might end up on the news?
—So Seojun’s involved too?
“Right?”
“Yes, I’m here too.”
With Jiseok’s playful tone and Seojun’s bright voice coming through the phone, Yoon Seong-oh, who had quickly moved to an empty conference room in the office the moment “news” was mentioned, pressed his forehead with his hand.
Fortunately, it didn’t seem to be anything bad.
Letting out a breath of relief, Yoon Seong-oh then bristled at Jiseok’s laughing voice on the other end.
‘This hyung…!’
His own heart had just dropped, and they were laughing?
—Jiseok hyung! What the heck did you do?
Wahaha!
Lee Jiseok and Seojun burst into even louder laughter at Yoon Seong-oh’s yelling.
“So here’s what happened…”
After hearing the full story from Jiseok, Yoon Seong-oh let out another sigh of relief. It wasn’t just not bad—it was actually a good thing.
—Are you hurt anywhere? If soju bottles broke, there must’ve been glass everywhere.
“Oh, we’re fine.”
“I’m okay too.”
Looking at his unscathed hands, Lee Jiseok replied confidently.
“Feels like even that annoying hangnail from this morning disappeared?”
At Jiseok’s muttered comment, Seojun, who had used his ability, hunched his shoulders slightly and suppressed a laugh.
After confirming the actors were physically fine, the manager continued.
—Since you were wearing masks and hats, let’s not mention it from our side unless someone recognizes you first. It’d feel cheap if we push out an article ourselves just to get credit.
“That’s true.”
Jiseok and Seojun both nodded in agreement.
—I think Cocoa Entertainment should handle it the same way. What do you think, Seojun?
“I think that’s a good idea too. I’ll let Taewoo hyung know.”
—If anything changes, let me know. Good job, both of you.
At Yoon Seong-oh’s words, Seojun and Lee Jiseok grinned. Compliments always felt good to hear.
—But seriously, Seojun, every time you drive, you end up on the news.
……!
At that remark, Seojun and Jiseok’s eyes widened.
“Whoa, he’s right.”
Jiseok dug into his memory.
“You were on the news when you took your driver’s license test too.”
—And during the shoot for Hwa, it was right before that tunnel accident, while Seojun was driving.
“This time too, it happened while Seojun was driving.”
—It wasn’t the news, but didn’t you also drive during the Forest Kindergarten Chick Class shoot?
Maybe it was the many years they’d worked together—this actor and manager were in perfect sync.
Under Jiseok’s piercing gaze, Seojun quickly spoke up.
“I’ve driven a lot on other days too, you know.”
He’d driven so many times since getting his license.
Only three times had ended up on the news.
“It’s just a coincidence. Pure coincidence.”
“I’ve never been on the news while driving, Seojun. Neither has Jongho hyung, nor Dohun, nor Dajin.”
…Fair point.
Seojun shut his mouth. He looked almost sulky.
Puhahaha.
At Seojun falling silent, both Lee Jiseok and Yoon Seong-oh, still on the line, burst into laughter.
—Well then, I’ll get back to work now. Hyung. Seojun.
“Okay. Take care.”
“Thanks, Seong-oh hyung.”
Even while pouting, Seojun politely sent his farewell to Yoon Seong-oh over the phone.
Once the call ended—
Lee Jiseok, who had been staring at Seojun behind the wheel, spoke with a serious expression.
“Seojun.”
“Yes?”
“Should I drive instead?”
“Oh, come on! I told you it’s just a coincidence, hyung!”
At Seojun’s reaction, Jiseok burst into loud laughter.
“Want a snack?”
“…Yes.”
Lee Jiseok handed over a snack to the sulky Seojun.
Watching Seojun crunch on the long, potato-flavored stick cracker, Jiseok let out a small chuckle. Snacks really were the best way to soothe a moody kid.
Jiseok also popped one into his mouth. The salty potato taste and crunchy texture were satisfying.
“By the way, what’s going on with Na Jin now?”
He thought of it while talking about Hwa.
Back then, Seojun had been credited under the name “Na Jin.”
“Na Jin?”
Seojun, who never stayed upset for long, tilted his head.
Jiseok nodded and said,
“Online, people are saying Na Jin finally made it to Hollywood. They’re talking about Night Jin.”
“Ah.”
Seojun blinked, then smiled.
He had seen those comments too. As soon as the name “Night Jin” came up, speculation started pouring in.
—Night Jin? Come on, that has to be intentional lol
==Yeah same, I immediately thought of Na Jin.
==Same here. So now he wants us to call him Na Jin, huh? lol
—An actor whose alt persona made it to Hollywood.
==He skipped Korean cinema and debuted in Hollywood first lol
==But Hwa was a Korean film.
==That was an indie film. We’re talking commercial movies.
==I thought Na Jin would hit ten million views here first, but he just jumped straight to Hollywood lol
==Na Jin filmography: Kids’ play Spring > PSA One Step > Hanye Arts entrance > Indie film Hwa > Hollywood film Shane & Anna
==Was going the textbook route, then suddenly: Hollywood lol
—Since Seojun’s name appears in the credits for Shane & Anna, shouldn’t we remove it from Na Jin’s filmography?
==Yeah, Shane & Anna shouldn’t count.
==But the character’s name is Night Jin.
==Nah, that’s just a character name!! As a Na Jin fan, I object!
—Everyone’s really invested in Lee Seojun’s alt persona filmography, lol
==It’s so fun watching an alt persona grow, lol
“I haven’t really thought about it.”
Seojun shrugged.
“The name ‘Na Jin’ was originally made so I wouldn’t affect other actors.”
“Yeah, I remember.”
Lee Jiseok nodded, recalling how young Seojun had told him that story long ago.
Na Jin.
It was a stage name Seojun created during the children’s play Spring to avoid overshadowing the other kids with his real name, “Lee Seojun.”
“That name was supposed to disappear after I revealed my identity. But somehow, it just stuck around.”
He never intended to raise an alt persona.
He only used it for the PSA One Step to receive a lower appearance fee, and for the indie film Hwa to avoid attention. That’s how the name kept going.
And now, that alt persona “Na Jin” had become almost as famous as his real name, “Lee Seojun.”
‘Honestly, it’d be weird if it didn’t become famous.’
“Night Jin came out too, even though that wasn’t intentional.”
Seojun said with a smile.
“And now that it’s so well-known, there’s not much reason to keep using it.”
“Hm. That’s a shame.”
Jiseok looked genuinely disappointed. The concept of a superstar’s alt persona was so fun.
“So now your main and alt are fusing together?”
Fusing, really.
It’s not like they’re robots.
At Jiseok’s choice of words, Seojun burst into laughter.
“Ahaha. I was thinking more like deletion, honestly.”
He’d seen so many comments calling him a “character deleter,” that it was the first word to pop into his head.
Hearing the word “deletion” from Seojun about his alt persona “Na Jin,” Jiseok looked hurt.
“Calling it a deletion sounds too harsh. And who knows? Maybe you’ll use the name ‘Na Jin’ again someday.”
Hmm…
Seojun thought for a moment, then nodded.
Now that people searched for “Na Jin” to find his works, it would be hard to use the name again just to hide his identity.
“Then let’s call it a fusion.”
Whether it was deletion or fusion—
The word didn’t matter much.
Seojun grinned.
“Lee Seojun or Na Jin, they’re both me.”
Just different names for the same person.
“Or maybe… you could use a different name? Add another alt persona!”
“Isn’t that taking it a bit too far, hyung?”
“I think you could pull it off, though! It’d be fun for people to try and figure it out. Imagine showing up under a completely different name again—fans would be shocked! Your fans might end up saying, ‘Now we have to support three actors!’”
At Jiseok’s giggly suggestion, Seojun burst into laughter. Honestly, he could totally see his fans doing that.
Myeongjin Art Hall.
Actor Kim Jongho’s waiting room.
Knock knock.
“Come in,” said Kim Jongho at the sound of the knock. He glanced toward the door as someone stepped into the room.
“Where’s Seojun?”
“What, you don’t see me?”
“I said hi already. So where’s Seojun?”
“Tilting your head counts as a greeting now?!”
As always, Kim Jongho and Lee Jiseok bickered like usual. Manager Kim Sungwoo gave them a calm smile.
After exchanging greetings with Sungwoo, Jiseok handed over a bouquet and a bottle of wine, then sat in an empty seat.
“He’s on the phone with the company. Something happened on the way here.”
“Something? What happened?”
Kim Jongho turned his head away from the wine he’d been eyeing more than the flowers. Kim Sungwoo also widened his eyes in concern. Seeing the worry in their eyes, Jiseok quickly waved his hands.
Jongho hyung was at an age now where even his emotional health had to be looked after.
If Kim Jongho had heard that, he would’ve shouted, “I’m not that old yet!” in outrage.
“It’s nothing bad. A soju truck spilled its cargo, and we helped clean it up. Someone recorded it on their phone, so it might end up on the news later.”
“Oh, really? And you’re not hurt?”
“I’m not…”
“I meant Seojun, not you.”
“Oh, come on!”
Where did all those years go?
At Jongho’s teasing and Jiseok’s flailing, Kim Sungwoo couldn’t help but laugh.
“Uncle Jongho! Congrats on the play!”
“Thanks, Seojun. I heard something happened on the way here? You’re not hurt, right?”
Having wrapped up the call with Cocoa Entertainment, Seojun entered the waiting room. Jongho greeted him warmly with a big smile. Jiseok grumbled at the completely different treatment, but quickly shuddered at the thought of Jongho welcoming him like that. Ugh, gave him chills.
“What did the company say?”
“Taewoo hyung’s going to talk to Team 1. Like Seong-oh hyung said, if someone finds out it’s me, then we’ll release an article.”
“Got it.”
While chatting with Jongho, Seojun and Jiseok soon stood up. It was time for the performance to begin.
“We all worked hard on this, so enjoy the show, Seojun.”
“Yes! I’ll focus 100%!”
“I’m in it too, you know!”
Laughter filled the waiting room once again.
Leaving Jongho’s room, Seojun and Jiseok made their way to the theater.
Curtains drawn over the stage. The seats slowly filling up. People reading the program with excited expressions.
Sitting in the VIP section with Jiseok, Seojun thought this—there’s something special about the way theater feels alive and breathing.
Soon, the theater was packed, and the play began.
Seojun, who loved performing himself, was just as drawn in by watching others perform. He quickly became immersed in the play.
“That was amazing! As expected from Uncle Jongho!”
Seojun, flushed with excitement, showered compliments with rapid-fire delivery. Jongho responded with a bashful cough.
These weren’t empty compliments. He mentioned specific scenes, pointed out what kind of acting stood out, and talked about what moved him the most. How could any actor not be pleased?
Jongho, Jiseok, and even manager Kim Sungwoo looked at Seojun with warm, proud smiles.
“The other actors were fantastic too!”
At Seojun’s words, Jongho grinned and said,
“Seojun. Do you have any schedules after this?”
“Schedule? No.”
“Then if you’re free, want to join us for dinner? The actors who are free decided to gather.”
Oh!
Seojun’s eyes sparkled—the kind of sparkle only actors could relate to.
Kim Jongho, with his many years in the entertainment world, often arranged chances like this for Seojun to meet other actors. Jiseok did the same.
“There’ll be some actors you know, like Soyoung, and some you haven’t met yet. I’ve been wanting to introduce them for a while—glad we finally have time today.”
Seojun, delighted, was just about to nod when his phone rang.
It was Team 1.
“Huh?”
They rarely called first, so Seojun looked at the screen, slightly surprised.
“Is it because of the news?”
“Ah, maybe. Hello?”
At Jiseok’s guess, Seojun nodded and answered the call.
And just moments later—
Seojun’s eyes went wide.
“What? Taewoo hyung collapsed?!”