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Society Protocol Season 2 20

Min-hyuk's Choice

Min-hyuk, who had met Mi-hee at the prayer retreat, realized as he left that the time for a choice was approaching.

Mi-hee, the person he loved most at the time, was at the prayer retreat,

and he was currently working for a company founded by the head of the SS's Korean branch.

They said they would give him all the glory.

However, he had not yet officially become a member of theirs.

They, too, did not force a choice upon Min-hyuk.

Everything had to be decided voluntarily by oneself.

That was the common rule of both organizations.

Min-hyuk left for the Pyeongchang Intercity Bus Terminal in a car arranged by the prayer retreat.

They were going to buy necessary groceries and return.

This time, Min-hyuk intended to return by train.

It took over two hours to get from the Pyeongchang Intercity Bus Terminal to Pyeongchang Station, including taking the bus, getting off, and walking.

It took less than two hours to get to Seoul Station by KTX. At Seoul Station, the manager had a car waiting.

The location for the CF shoot was Bundang.

Taking the subway might have actually been more convenient, but since they needed to handle the concept and makeup while on the move,

they decided to travel by car.

Because they were moving, detailed makeup couldn't be done, but they could change clothes and fix their hair.

The manager faced Min-hyuk and began explaining the concept of the advertisement.

“It’s a telecommunications ad, and it promotes both the carrier and the mobile phone. It’s not exactly the main focus, but the goal is to convey a fresh and vibrant concept.”

“Who is the main focus?”

Min-hyuk asked the manager from the back seat.

“There isn’t a specific main focus, but Ha-kyung is filming with us.”

It was Ha-kyung, who had co-starred with them in the drama Red Over Pink.

“Ah, so it’s the telecommunications ad that Ha-kyung originally filmed.”

The manager nodded.

Min-hyuk wasn't asking because he was thinking about why he wasn't the main focus.

He had simply asked because he was curious about the concept of the advertisement for which telecom company it was.

However, his manager and those around him had said he wasn't the main focus because they assumed the celebrity they knew had a desire to be the main focus.

Both the telecom company and the mobile phone business were companies run by members of SS.

Min-hyuk had a vague idea.

The possibility that Ha-kyung was a member of SS seemed slim.

This was because Ji Seo-hoon had clearly stated that he was the only one invited to that event.

However, since he hadn't yet definitively informed Ji Seo-hoon that he would work for SS, no further detailed information was coming in.

The organization must surely know. The relationship between Mi-hee and himself.

However, the organization had never once asked about Mi-hee or instructed him to extract information about them.

Min-hyuk might have said that he would quit immediately if such demands were made.

But now that he had seen the reality, he realized the situation was not particularly threatening. However, even if he possessed a natural talent for peeling potatoes, he had no desire to do it every day.

It was not about comparing the weight of dreams. It was about the direction of dreams.

It was not about weighing that against this.

It was about setting the future direction for what he had done so far.

He had to make a choice now.

Because he had not taken any action yet, he was able to spend his time peacefully in that mountain valley in Gangwon-do, cooking and eating bibimbap and bibim guksu while drinking tea.

If they started to take action, the world would not let them just laze around so comfortably.

Min-hyuk loves Mi-hee. But even love requires strength to be realized.

Min-hyuk remembered watching a movie called Superman, a classic recommended by his acting academy instructor.

It was an early version of the Superman movie we commonly know.

Many people used to think of that movie as a sort of children's play.

However, the film featured Marlon Brando, who delivered an incredible performance in The Godfather,

John Williams, who composed the music for Star Wars, provided the film score,

and the screenplay was written by Mario Puzo, who wrote the screenplay for The Godfather.

But there was something he didn't know.

In Superman II, there was a scene where Superman transformed back into a human to date a woman.

There was a scene where he went into a bar with Lois Lane, got into a fight, got beaten up, and then returned to his Superman form.

Without power, one cannot protect love.

And through Superman II, he learned what could happen when one gives up power for the sake of love.

He was going to have power. And he would protect Mi-hee with his own strength.

It was not religion that could provide that power.

Min-hyuk had these thoughts in the van heading to the filming location in Sangam-dong. However, another thought crossed his mind as well.

He was reminded of Anakin Skywalker, who became Darth Vader in Star Wars.

In an attempt to gain power to protect his family, he ended up destroying the Jedi organization and choosing evil.

Ultimately, he lost his loved ones and had to live his life wearing a mask.

While living under the command of Darth Sidious.

He realized again that he was neither Superman nor Darth Vader, but simply a rookie actor fulfilling his dream of acting.

He was simply doing his best with what he could do right now.

He would make the most of the resources he currently possesses and keep moving forward.

Although he wasn't the main star of this commercial, he vowed to make his face known to everyone and captivate them with his charm.

“It’s just that I haven’t had the opportunity yet; if I were given one, I could do anything.”

The manager breathed a sigh of relief at Min-hyuk’s words. It seemed he hadn’t abandoned the attitude of a rookie yet.

The car arrived in front of the telecommunications company building, which was to be the filming location, and Min-hyuk opened the door and stepped out.

He sent a text message to Ji Seo-hoon.

“I have made up my mind. If you give me the chance to work for the organization now, I will do my best.”

No reply came. Min-hyuk could no longer hold onto his phone, waiting for a response.

The advertiser had come down in person from the telecommunications company headquarters.

He came because it was the building where he worked and wasn't far away, but also because the group was also conducting promotional activities for its founding anniversary, so he needed to verify things in person. Actress Ha-kyung had already finished setting up and was getting ready. The advertiser approached Ha-kyung, shook her hand, and greeted her. Then, he immediately walked over to where Min-hyuk was.

“Hello, Mr. Min-hyuk?”

“Yes, hello. I am Kang Min-hyuk.”

“I am greeting you as the company representative. This isn't just a simple advertisement for a mobile phone or a telecom company; it is an advertisement commemorating the company's 40th anniversary. This is the most important part, so I ask for your full support. You are the main star of today.”

Min-hyuk was momentarily dumbfounded, but he regained his composure. He suspected it was the organization's response.

Min-hyuk was to be the main shoot in the company lobby. Along with Ha-kyung, that is.

The lobby served as both a filming location and a dressing room.

Cameras and lighting were set up, and the client was discussing the concept with the CF director.

The director kept nodding in agreement.

Just then, a neat man in a black suit approached Min-hyuk carrying a briefcase.

The manager gestured to the man with a look, then walked toward the CF director, stepping aside to make room.

The man thrust his cell phone at Min-hyuk.

Min-hyuk, sensing the situation, simply took the phone without a word.

“Congratulations on making such a big decision. For today, just accept this as a light gift for joining the team. We’ll hold the official induction ceremony in a few days. And sending this now is, in a way, the most important thing. I hope you don’t get too surprised after you take it. Prepare yourself mentally, and now, I hope you show off your abilities.”

Ji Seo-hoon said only what he needed to say and hung up the phone.

The man took a small, round container resembling a gum tin out of his briefcase and handed it to Min-hyuk. Then he left.

Min-hyuk twisted the lid, which resembled a contact lens case, to open it.

There were pills inside.

And inside the lid was something liquid. Min-hyuk swallowed the pills and drank the liquid.

It wasn’t a particularly unpleasant taste.

Nevertheless, it didn’t seem appropriate to describe it as delicious.

Min-hyuk sat there silently for a moment. He felt nothing. He didn't suddenly hear sounds from afar or feel like he was being zapped by electricity,

He didn't gain clairvoyance, nor could he hear what people were saying to themselves.

He simply felt nothing.

For a moment, Min-hyuk thought.

‘Does it not suit me? Just like how every medicine has different efficacy and side effects?’

Min-hyuk covered his mouth with his hand and pondered quietly. Just then, the manager was approaching him.

The manager hadn't said anything yet. Yet, Min-hyuk felt as though he knew exactly what he was going to say.

“A screen showing the company’s history will play, and then the CEO and Ha-kyung will walk together. And then, they will shake hands in front of the founder’s statue over there.”

It was a concept that looked like something you’d see in the 80s. It couldn't even be called an advertisement.

However, Min-hyuk felt as though he knew exactly what the manager was about to say in that instant, before the manager even spoke.

This kind of cheesy concept was something he could never have imagined,

yet he knew it as if he had heard it in advance in the car.

From the manager’s subtle facial expression, he sensed that he was slightly afraid of Min-hyuk. Although he didn't know exactly what kind of person had just passed by, it seemed they were afraid of what was happening within the organization.

The face of the CF director caught Min-hyuk's eye. The director also seemed somewhat anxious.

It was very subtle, but he could feel that emotion.

Ha-kyeong was furious.

His pride was hurt simply by the fact that Min-hyuk had suddenly appeared in a CF he had almost exclusively handled, making him his equal.

Min-hyuk's eyes fell upon the expressions on people's faces.

And it seemed he could tell in advance what they were about to say.

Suddenly, Min-hyuk, who was looking around in all directions, caught the eye of the telecommunications company president.

The president sent a text message on his cell phone and then walked slowly toward Minhyuk.

“Don’t be too surprised. If you keep looking around like that, you’ll get teased later, junior.”

Min-hyuk couldn't read the president's expression.

He was smiling, but his eyes were not. It didn't feel as cozy as it had been during the shoot earlier. No, the filming hadn't started yet.

He had only heard the concept for the shoot. Yet, it was as if he had already filmed it.

Min-hyuk couldn't tell how far this medicine controlled his emotions.

However, what was clear was that he had now become the main star.

News broke that Min-hyuk had been cast as the lead in a new project.

The commercials Min-hyuk filmed continued to play on the internet and television, and they plastered the billboards of buses and subways.

Rookie girl groups began naming Kang Min-hyuk when choosing their favorite actor in interviews,

and Kang Min-hyuk smiled beside the President as he attended demonstrations of new mobile communication technology.

The first drama Kang Min-hyuk appeared in spread across the globe via global platforms,

and despite being a supporting actor, he began to be loved by women all over the world.

His fashion became a trend. Kang Min-hyuk has become a global star.