Rebirth: King to Superstar

Joon-won looked at the food in front of him and slowly started to eat. He always had an extra room for new foods. He was in one of the 3-star restaurants in the city with Hea-Jung, the director and a few other people. He sat in a corner with Hea-Jung and the director, as all three of them started to eat their food.

After he washed his face and Hea-Jung changed back into normal clothes, the assistant director walked up to them and told them that the director was waiting for them in the car. The assistant director also didn't forget to take Joon-won's number as he needed to tell him about the change in script and schedule later on. 

After he gave his number to the assistant director and walked towards the car, Hea-Jung reminded him of something important. It was to get another phone with a new sim card for personal purposes. He can't have the same number for both and since he already gave his number to a few people in the industry, it would be better for him to change his personal number. Joon-won accepted the suggestion and decided to get a new sim card instead of an entire phone.

Now all of them were in the restaurant as they continued to eat. The director looked up from his plate towards Joon-won, who was calmly eating with etiquette, and said, "You really know how to eat kid. I have never seen anyone eat as elegantly as you are right now. Where did you learn it from?" 

Joon-won, on the other hand, didn't respond to his question and continued to eat calmly. He doesn't like to talk when he is eating, especially when he is eating new kinds of food. He likes to take in the new flavors and experience them completely.

Hea-Jung, who was at the same table, looked at the director and said, "Don't bother talking right now, director. This guy has a few hard rules which he follows. One of those rules is to never speak while eating food. So don't bother speaking now. Let him complete that food on the plate before you start. He likes to completely enjoy the food." Even she looked like an idiot when they first had food together. She was the only one speaking continuously, like a mental patient, and was easily frustrated. 

The director looked at Hea-Jung before looking at Joon-won strangely and nodding. He didn't mind giving the guy some silence while he enjoyed his food. The dinner continued and after Joon-won was done, he drank a glass of water and looked at the director before answering the earlier question.

"I learned it by myself. No one taught me." And that was a complete lie. But he can't actually tell him that his father-in-law, the king, actually assigned an entire group of 6 to 7 butlers and maids to teach him after he saw him eating for the first time. Those people grilled this etiquette into him such that his body automatically does it. And so as he can't say all this without people looking at him as if he is an idiot, saying he learned it by himself was the best option left.

The director nodded and said, "For learning by yourself, you really are great." Making Joon-won nod. 

"Well, then. I talked with the producer earlier and he said it might take 2 days as I said earlier for a new script and schedule for you. So you have these two days for yourself to enjoy. I suggest you visit the Jade Mountains. It would only take an hour by bus." 

Hearing his suggestion, Hea-Jung chimed in and said, "Yes, you should go to the mountains. It's a huge waste to not visit them after coming this far. I also want to go there but I have to shoot again tomorrow. So I originally planned to go there after all my scenes are done. Since you have two days off, you can go there for a trip of sorts. I heard there are cabins for people to stay too." 

Joon-won thought for a second before he nodded. He also had no plans for the next two days, and just staying inside a hotel room for 48 hours was the last thing he wanted to do. So he decided to take a trip there tomorrow morning and after seeing the condition there, he can also stay there for the night as Hea-Jung told him about the cabins. 

"Well, I'll do just that then. I'll go there tomorrow morning." 

The director nodded and said, "I heard there is almost one bus for every hour which takes people to the mountain or at least is on the way there. So you can pick your own comfortable time to go." 

Joon-won nodded once again, and the dinner continued. After the dinner, Hea-Jung and Joon-won got separated from the director as Han Ju came with a car to pick them up. After they got in the car, Hea-Jung said to him.

"Don't forget to call Do Hwan tomorrow morning, little brother. Tell him about the situation and the possible extension of scenes. He might be asleep now, so just call tomorrow after you get up. He'll probably have to make changes to the plans he has for you and will also call the university regarding your absence."

Joon-won nodded and remained silent. After reaching his hotel, he just told both of them goodnight before walking towards his room. The time was already 11:30, and he was exhausted. As soon as his back touched the bed, he closed his eyes for a good sleep. 

Joon-won didn't wake up until 8 in the morning. I surprised him how long he slept without the disturbance of an alarm clock, which woke him up every day for the gym. Just like every day, he decided to get some simple workout done within the hotel room and after that, he brushed his teeth and sat on the couch with his phone in his hands as he dialed Do Hwan's number.

[Yes, Joon-won? You must have a pretty good reason to call me this early in the morning. I'm not even at the company yet.] Joon-won could hear vehicles in the background too.

"Should I call you after a few minutes? It looks like you are driving right now."

[Nah, it's ok. I'm wearing my Bluetooth buds, anyway. So tell me, what's the matter? Oh, right before I forget, how was your shoot yesterday? Did it go well?]

"Yes, the shoot went absolutely well. The director also praised me after it and took me and Hea-Jung out for dinner. Also, he is planning to add more scenes to my role after watching me act so he said I might have to stay here for another week to shoot them too. So, I called you to inform you about it.]

[Oh! He actually praised you? That's a really good start for your career then. It also looks like he is very sincere with his praise too, to give you a few extra scenes. It's alright if you need to stay an extra week if you get more scenes for your first role. You'll have more experience with it. Did you agree with the guy?]

"Yes, I did. There won't be any change in the payment. He said with these extra scenes the amount he is paying me would become a bit more reasonable." 

[Well, if you think from a producer's perspective, then what he said is really true. Even I would think paying 70k for a newbie actor is outrageous given how small the role is. You just need to act better to make them feel a little better about the amount of money your bank account is getting.]

"Yeah, I guess it is a lot of money. Well, aside from that, can you give my university a quick call too? If I give them a call, there would be endless questions along with the possibility of my leave getting rejected. So can you call the vice-dean since you know him?"

[Oh, yeah sure. I'll give the vice-dean a call right away. I'm sure he won't have a problem if I said you managed to get a role in the movie.]

"Alright then, Do Hwan, thanks for the help. I'll cut the call then since you are driving." 

"Alright then, just take care of yourself and your acting. Do your best and I'm sure it will impress them."

And the call ended as Joon-won checked a few messages he received. He noticed a message from the bank stating his wealth increased by 35k, which made him smile. He knew the rest half of the promised money would be given on the last day of his shooting. 

He also noticed a few messages from Jung-hwa, Yun-hee, and also surprisingly Mo Yang, which he completely ignored. He didn't want anything to do with that good-for-nothing guy. 

After giving a few replies he stood up and quickly got ready before making his way down with his bag filled with a few clothes and other essentials.