As Do Wook tried to put down his glass, Chris Moore’s face instantly turned menacing. He was the kind of person who could easily switch expressions from laughing to threatening. It was even worse because he was drunk.
He asked in a tone full of annoyance, just like when he was badmouthing the paparazzi,
“Why won’t you drink it? I went out of my way to give you something good.”
Do Wook’s expression hardened. As if looking down on Do Wook, Moore’s tone and expression were a sight to see. However, there isn’t much to be expected of a drunk person.
“I said drink it. I’m trying to spend some time together, why are you ruining the vibe? Geez, this is why kids who don’t know shit…”
He couldn’t stand to listen to Moore anymore, so Do Wook cut him off and calmly replied.
“I think I have to get going.”
“What? You’re leaving all of a sudden? The cards are all dealt, what do you mean?!”
The people who had gathered to play poker together murmured, wondering what was going on.
“You should be kissing my feet. You forget your place because I talked you up a bit…you’re going to ignore me?!”
Chris Moore’s voice rose.
Do Wook swallowed dryly. He didn’t want to unnecessarily stir up trouble with Moore here.
He could ask for help from Herbert, who was by the bar table, but he didn’t want to cause any trouble or make a scene at the party Herbert was hosting.
It was Chris Moore who had brought the drugs, but if it became a bigger deal and the paparazzi caught on and wrote an article, it was Do Wook who would suffer the consequences.
Just the fact that he was there meant that suspicious glances would definitely fall on Do Wook. It’s one thing in America, but ‘drug allegations’ are not a trivial matter in Korea.
Furthermore, Do Wook was an outsider here.
Regardless of who was at fault, it was impossible to tell which way public opinion would fall if Chris Moore and Do Wook went head to head.
‘The best option would be to quietly get out of here.’
However, Chris Moore was not in the mood to let Do Wook go quietly under any circumstances.
‘Even so, pretending to go along with Moore’s mood and drinking a laced drink is…I won’t let myself do that. I also don’t know how I might react after taking the drugs…’
Do Wook put his hands in his jacket’s pocket and got up from the seat.
When Do Wook got up, Moore started cussing and stood up too. It felt like he would throw a punch at Do Wook at any moment.
“Are you seriously leaving? Arrogant bastard. I knew you’d be an arrogant brat who struts around with young women.”
Do Wook quietly stared at Chris Moore, who had a threatening stance as he spoke. He had an indifferent and cold expression.
As if sensing something was off in Do Wook’s gaze, Chris Moore gritted his teeth.
At first, he thought it was because he was drunk, but after seeing Chris Moore’s words and actions, Do Wook was able to realize it.
It was clear that Chris Moore had not liked Do Wook from the beginning. Even if he had drunk the alcohol Moore had offered, even if he had played the poker game, regardless of what Do Wook had said, he would have confronted Do Wook at some point.
Do Wook recalled Jung Yi Wook, whom he had met on ‘Sweetheart from the Universe’. It was no different from him.
Talking with Herbert and the other actors, Do Wook thought, ‘Hollywood is definitely different in many ways, and there is so much to learn from it.’
What was most different from Korea’s entertainment industry was, of course, the scale of it, and as a result the competitiveness and the actors’ lives.
However, seeing Chris Moore’s behavior, Do Wook could only sneer. Ultimately, it all depends on what kind of person someone is.
Despite enjoying more wealth and popularity than the entertainers in Korea, Chris Moore was a childish man who, soaked in that kind of lifestyle, behaved worse than a ten-year-old child, acting arrogantly and insolently.
He didn’t want to make a scene, but he also had no intention of letting anyone insult him or his fans.
At that moment, Do Wook’s cellphone rang.
Do Wook checked his cellphone and looked at Moore. It wasn’t much of a conversation, but they still were in the middle of talking so he was asking for permission to answer the phone.
Rather than getting more confrontational, Moore avoided Do Wook’s gaze. Do Wook had been very cold and hadn’t even fallen for the provocation, and it seemed that the cellphone notification refreshed him a bit and brought him back to his senses.
The call was from Ahn Hyung Seo.
Ahn Hyung Seo asked in a loud voice, “What’s going on? What did you write?”
Do Wook had sent a message to the group chat with members while keeping his hands in his pockets.
Since he had sent the message without looking at the screen, it probably contained absurd combinations of vowels and consonants, but Do Wook thought that one of the members would quickly see it and call.
He thought that since the members cared about Do Wook more than anyone else did and knew him well, they wouldn’t just ignore a nonsensical message—and he was correct.
Ahn Hyung Seo, who is constantly checking social media and is glued to his cellphone, called Do Wook as soon as he saw it.
It sounded like the members were out drinking. Behind Ahn Hyung Seo, who was on the phone, you could hear the noisy voices of the members.
Do Wook answered the call with a serious voice.
-What? Why in English all of a sudden…Hello? Is this a prank call?
He could feel Ahn Hyung Seo getting flustered, but regardless Do Wook continued to speak in English.
He could hear Ahn Hyung Seo ultimately calling Kim Won over. Kim Won soon took the call.
The expressions of the people around, including Chris Moore, who were listening to the phone call grew more and more tense.
“Ah, if I need to get investigated by the police right now regarding the things that were stolen from me…I could go there, but…”
-Investigation? Are you acting right now?
Kim Won asked, amused by Do Wook muttering in English. Of course Do Wook couldn’t answer Kim Won’s question.
Do Wook deliberately looked around.
There must be someone here who was also carrying drugs that are illegal in America. The person who was shuffling the cards had noticeably stiffened in their movements.
He said while making eye contact with Chris Moore,
“I’m not able to go there right away. By any chance, could you come here?”
“Bastard…how dare you…”
The drug having taken full effect, Chris Moore muttered and slowly blinked. However, the person who was dealing the cards hurriedly stood up and said,
“Who are you calling over? Only invited people can come here. You just go. Moore, let’s let this punk go. It’s ruining the vibe.”
Do Wook said as he listened to Kim Won muttering on the phone asking for the address in the detective tone of a TV show he used to enjoy,
“No. I’ll go there.”
Do Wook hung up the phone and looked around at Chris Moore and the group.
There were still people who were under the influence and chasing women regardless of the vibe. The person who was dealing the cards lifted the skirt of the woman next to him.
The woman was unable to keep her body steady because she was drunk and was swaying.
“Moore! See what I mean? Let that boring guy leave and…let’s have fun. How does stripping as the bet sound?”
He definitely sounded like he had the most to hide. Chris Moore frowned but didn’t stop Do Wook anymore.
Do Wook quickly left the area.
By the time Do Wook was leaving, Herbert seemed to have gone upstairs as well, because he was no longer visible at the bar table.
After leaving the party and sending a thank you/apology message to the members saying that he’ll come and explain soon, Do Wook immediately contacted Daniel.
As he waited for Daniel, Do Wook saw paparazzi everywhere, holding up cameras and eyes shining.
He understood on an emotional level why actors leave New York to throw a party at villas in the Hamptons, and take off their facade when they’re there.
Do Wook also had times when he felt suffocated under too many gazes.
However, he didn’t want to lose the bare minimum common sense one should have as a person just because he felt suffocated. At least, that’s what he thought.
‘In that regard, losing control of yourself due to alcohol or drugs is dangerous…’
The more one becomes a star, and the more honor and wealth one gathers, the more temptation there is. Just because it looks glamorous doesn’t mean it’s all good or right.
Do Wook realized that he had to focus more from now on and strive not to lose the innocent dream he started with.
A little later, Daniel’s car arrived in front of the villa.
As Do Wook got into the car, he thought of Seo Joong Won.
Seo Joong Won’s appeal trial was underway. He didn’t know what the final outcome would be, but it was clear that he would serve a prison sentence.
He probably also didn’t start off wanting to be a slave to wealth, honor, and power.
‘It’s just that he probably got drawn into it more and more..’
***
The next filming day.
It was the scene where Real Man was seriously considering joining the Heroes’ activities. It was a solo shoot with Do Wook, and he captivated Director Jean Luke’s heart even more by showcasing his exceptional talent for emotional acting.
After finishing the shoot, Do Wook conveyed his opinion to Director Jean Luke.
“I have no intention of simply brushing over Chris Moore’s insulting remarks. If he doesn’t apologize, I don’t think I’ll be able to be on the same set as him.”
Director Jean Luke’s expression hardened at the sudden news of a filming boycott. Besides thinking of Do Wook as a good actor, he might be thinking of him as arrogant.
However, Do Wook had no intention of backing down.
It was clearly Chris Moore who was rude.
“I have already conveyed this to Moore as well through his manager.”
“After hearing what happened, it seems that, of course, Moore was a bit rude. But David. Saying you won’t film because of personal feelings…it doesn’t seem like something a professional should be doing. There are contractual issues too…”
As expected, he was implying that nothing good would result from Do Wook acting like this.
Do Wook was a humble person, but that didn’t mean he could be taken lightly or laughed at. He also had considerable pride in his current position.
He hoped that this would be an opportunity for the cast and crew of ‘Heroes 2’ to realize that.
Do Wook continued speaking calmly in response to what Director Jean Luke said,
“If there is a contractual issue, we’ll gladly pay the penalty. I have no intention of acting with anyone who does not recognize me as an equal actor.”
He meant that he might quit. Director Jean Luke was flustered because Do Wook pushed back harder than he expected.
The penalty fee was an enormous amount. If he had earned solely by being an actor, it could have been hard to bear. However, Do Wook was a member of the international group KK and also a producer. In addition, he had accumulated a great deal of capital already through various other channels.
If Do Wook were to quit now, the damage ‘Heroes 2’ would receive was significant too. A considerable amount of the promotions already had Do Wook in it.
They were probably so accustomed to their position that it had never even crossed their minds that Do Wook would easily give up the film ‘Heroes’.
‘That’s probably also why Chris Moore treated me however he wanted…He probably thought that I would be desperate…’
With a flustered expression, Director Jean Luke nodded his head.
“I understand for now. He tends to….have a rude side. I’d like for you to be understanding, but…the right thing would be for him to apologize before the next shoot.”
Next chapter: Do Wook is definitely the underdog here, will he get the apology he deserves?
in the 220’s!! 4 chapters left!!!