<h4>Chapter 209: Actor Division 3</h4>


    "What a shame. I could hear the noise about being lowballed on appearance fees all the way outside the room. You do realize this is why people say we, TVM, are cheap, right?" Jo Eung-Cheon remarked.


    Director Jo Eung-Cheon of TVM was known for his lively personality and wouldter be the president of TVM, famous for his straightforward negotiation.


    After reading my message, Kang Ji-Yung bypassed even the directors and brought over one of the real powerhouses of TVM.


    "Hello, Mr. Jo," I greeted him.


    Jo Eung-Cheon looked my way and smiled slightly. "So you''re the famous Team Lead Jung who''s been doing welltely. It''s nice to meet you. But just give me a moment."


    Jo Eung-Cheon then pressed Kim Tae-Chon once again. "CP Kim, what are you going to do? I heard the audition was cut short because you liked the actor so much. So why offer such a low appearance fee? I told you to moderate the undercutting, yet this habit of yours has emerged again?"


    Kim Tae-Chon began to sweat and started making excuses. "But Mr. Jo, even if he has potential, Haru is still young and aplete rookie..."


    As Kim Tae-Chon''s exnation dragged on, Jo Eung-Cheon''s face further contorted. Despite the constraints on appearance fees, offering only 500 thousand won to a lead role was absurd.


    In fact, with such fees, it would have been better not to be chosen as the main lead at all.


    "Look here, CP Kim. Rookie or not, isn''t he still the main lead? What will you do if rumors spread that we''re being cheap with the lead''s appearance fees? You should rather pick the right people and think about making money by attaching ads front and back!" Jo Eung-Cheon rebuked him.


    Just as Jo Eung-Cheon raised his voice, Kang Ji-Yung intervened. After all, things wouldn''t end well for us either If we just watched this situation unfold.


    "Mr. Kim, please save my face this time. Not just Haru but we also promised Mr. Tae-Poong would appear as a cameo. Remember?" Kang Ji-Yung said.


    Kim Tae-Chon cleared his throat as Kang Ji-Yung said in a soft voice. "<i>Ahem</i>. Well, producing a broadcast involves expenses here and there. You know it isn''t because I''m deliberately trying to offer a low appearance fee, right?"


    Due to Kim Tae-Chon''s appeal of trying to save money for TVM, Jo Eung-Cheon reluctantly stepped back.


    "I know you are always trying your best for TVM. But let''s keep to the boundaries," said Jo Eung-Cheon.


    Kim Tae-Chon bowed his head to Jo Eung-Cheon like a sly old fox when he recognized it was time to step back.


    "I''m sorry, Mr. Jo. My thoughts were shortsighted."


    Kim Tae-Chon then immediately apologized to me as well. "I''m sorry, Team Lead Jung."


    "Don''t mention it. Such a situation is expected in every negotiation. I was even prepared to y hardball for about three days," I replied.


    Kim Tae-Chonughed incredulously. "What? You nned to y hardball for three days when the shoot is just around the corner? <i>Ha ha</i>, you were nning to drive me crazy, weren''t you?"


    I scratched my head at Kim Tae-Chon''sughter. "Come on, you did the same. I thought my heart was going to burst when you mentioned that guy Lee Jin-Taek earlier."


    As I made a weak plea to save Kim Tae-Chon''s face, the atmosphere finally began to lighten.


    At that moment, Yoo Hyun-Ji noticed the chance and joined the conversation. "So, Team Lead Jung. How much do you think the appearance fee for Haru should be?"


    Suddenly, all eyes were on me.


    I actually had a specific amount in mind—1.5 million won.


    While it wasn''t a lot for a drama main lead, it was a tough amount for a rookie actor to get since appearance fees were decided not by acting skills or looks but by recognition.


    Still, I wanted to secure at least as much as Woo Sung-Chan.


    I looked at them and said, "I was thinking 1.5 million won."


    That''s when Jo Eung-Cheon grinned and asked, "Will that suffice?"


    "I won''t refuse if you offer more. And if the fee increases, Cherry Blossom might also appear as a cameo," I said with a smile.


    At that moment, Jo Eung-Cheon burst into heartyughter. "<i>Ha ha</i>! You''re really something. Making a deal with a cameo, huh? Alright, how about 2 million won then? Might as well have Cherry Blossom appear in the first episode."


    But even if they raised the appearance fee for Haru, that was out of the question.


    "The first episode might be a bit difficult since the girls aren''t in good condition at the moment. But around episode 9 might be possible."


    "Come on. Isn''t that toote for a 12-episode drama?"


    I feigned ignorance and changed the topic. "Instead, Tae-Poong can appear from the first episode."


    Jo Eung-Cheon stared at my face and then raised the stakes again. "How about 2.5 million won? That''s the maximum we can offer."


    He was indeed a good trading partner. I was worried he might not catch on, but that was unnecessary.


    "They might be able to appear by the fifth episode with some effort."


    At that moment, Jo Eung-Cheon burst into heartyughter. "Today is the day TVM goes bankrupt, huh? <i>Ha ha ha</i>."


    There was no way a mere 2.5 million won would bankrupt TVM. But Jo Eung-Cheon was happy to admit defeat in such a humorous manner.


    I smiled and bowed my head slightly. "Thank you so much, Mr. Jo. I promise to do the best I can."


    "That''s settled then. We''ll discuss the detailster and let''s all have a meal together for now. I heard your director is treating us to Hanwoo tonight."


    ''<i>This is much better than I expected. A starting fee of 2.5 million won for the first appearance is more than enough for a rookie,</i>'' I thought to myself.


    I felt a surge of strength in my shoulders as I had secured a fee of 1 million won higher than Woo Sung-Chan because the value of an actor indicated how much the broadcasters needed them.


    Just like that, Haru became an undisputed rookie actor. And that too, as a lead right from the debut.


    ***


    "What? Haru got the lead role?" Kim Dong-Soo raised his voice with his eyes bruised ck.


    Ju Ho-Sung offered an egg with a troubled expression. "Yes, sir. Apparently, he cooked better than expected. Oh, and here are some eggs..."


    Kim Dong-Soo had gotten punched in the right eye during a scuffle with Jung Hak-Jae and his wife. Though he had punched back, Kim Dong-Soo''s right eye was bruised in return.


    Taking the egg and rubbing it around the bruised area, Kim Dong-Soo asked again, "How''s the atmosphere in Actor Division 3 these days?"


    "To be honest with you, it''s not looking too great. Especially since Sung-Chan got ousted, there''s talk that we''re falling behind Actor Division 2."


    "Fuck! Who the hell is spreading that nonsense?"


    Everything had started with Ju Yung-In. As an actress in Actor Division 3, Ju Yung-In failed to shine in the same drama as Jung Yoo-Jin and even messed up the contract renewal. Then, the trusted Cha Tae-Hoon was pushed out by Lee Tae-Poong, and finally, Woo Sung-Chan was overtaken by the rookie Haru.


    All this turmoil had been stirred up by Jung Yoon-Ho.


    Kim Dong-Soo exploded with profanity. "Those stupid bastards. It''s only natural that things go well sometimes and things don''t sometimes when you''re working. How can they not see that?"


    He found it ridiculous that just a few failures could lead to the talk of Actor Division 3 falling apart.


    That''s when Kim Dong-Soo suddenly stood up. "Come with me."


    "Where are you going?" Ju Ho-Sung asked.


    "Where do you think? To see Mr. Choi Man-Sik."


    "Huh? Why are you going there? We still haven''t found Mr. Choi''s son, have we?"


    Nalsae had yet to locate Choi Eun-Tae''s son.


    Faced with Ju Ho-Sung''s remark that they had nothing to report, Kim Dong-Soo frowned. "We might go under before finding that son. We need to request funds in advance. Bringing in a few star actors could change the atmosphere instantly. And we need to hold the reins of thepany until we find Mr. Choi''s son. Don''t you think so?"


    Ju Ho-Sung nodded. "Yes, Mr. Kim."


    Kim Dong-Soo put on his sunsses and stepped outside with Ju Ho-Sung hastily following behind.


    ***


    I was currently at a meeting with the team leaders and above of Hoop Entertainment.


    "Haru has clinched the lead role of <i>Master of Mukbang</i>," I said proudly.


    "Are you serious?"


    "What? Isn''t this the quickest debut ever then?"


    "Wow, Team Jung really pulled it off again this time."


    "I had given up because of Woo Sung-Chan, but you snagged it with no problem. Well done."


    The announcement that Haru had been internally selected for the lead role was met with cheers. A rookie actor securing the lead role simultaneously with their debut was by no means amon urrence in the entertainment industry, where dozens of new faces emerged every year.


    However, Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung had smiles on their faces despite their reasons toin.


    ''<i>What''s up with them today?</i>'' I wondered.


    But my question was quickly answered.


    As the excited atmosphere settled, Kim Dong-Soo spoke up. "Well done, Team Lead Jung. Sorry to interrupt our conversation, but we also have some good news to share. Is that alright?"


    I nodded. "Of course, sir."


    Kim Dong-Soo interrupted me and said to the team leads,


    "Next month, Mr. Sung Ho-Jun will be joining Actor Division 3."


    Sung Ho-Jun was a top-ss actor who had achieved the highest sess in Chungmu Street over the past three years. Having drawn consecutive ten million audiences, he was the top choice among directors for the next generation. And by this point, his advertising contracts were probably also top-tier.


    Excited reactions began to emerge in the meeting room.


    "Sung Ho-Jun, the one who alone brought in 20 billion won in revenuest year at TNT Entertainment? B-but how did you manage to bring him over?"


    "Exactly. How can such a big name transfer to ourpany? Would TNT Entertainment really let him go?"


    Transfers of star actors were umon in this industry as they neither wished to be embroiled in controversies norcked money.


    For this reason, everyone was naturally shocked when Kim Dong-Soo announced out of the blue that he had managed to bring Sung Ho-Jun to ourpany. Thanks to this, the previously demoralized team leads of Actor Division 3 were visibly energized.


    Kim Dong-Soo also stood tall and said, "Well, that''s my business secret. For now, just know that he will be joining ourpany next month."


    A top-ss actor was no different from a walking corporation. They alone could generate revenues amounting to hundreds of billions won annually, and the value of an actor who has reached the top couldst surprisingly long.


    Sung Ho-Jun had also joined Top Entertainment in my past life, where he was a lucrative acquisition that the whole industry envied.


    But Kim Dong-Soo suggested this was just the beginning. "And this is not the end but the beginning. I n to bring in two more S-ss actors soon."


    At that moment, the murmurs in the room grew louder.


    Chief Bang Sang-Yung from Actor Division 1 hastily asked, "You mean to say you''re bringing in three S-ss actors in total?"


    "Yes. I''ve beenying the groundwork for quite some time, and it looks like the fish are finally biting the bait. I''ll share the good news soon," Kim Dong-Soo replied.


    "Who are they? At least give us some names."


    Kim Dong-Soo only smiled at Bang Sang-Yung''s question. "They''ve requested confidentiality, so I''ll tell you after it''s all settled."


    Kim Dong-Soo''s confident expression brought some faces to mind.


    ''<i>No way. Could he be bringing all those people?</i>'' I thought to myself.


    During his time at Top Entertainment in my past life, Kim Dong-Soo brought in S-ss heavyweights like Sung Ho-Jun, Choi Sung-Rak, and Park Hee-Tae. All three were actors who wouldn''t lose their top spots for the next ten years.


    ''<i>Has he started to use the money he embezzled? But it would be impossible with the funds of department three alone, wouldn''t it?</i>'' I pondered.


    Fortunately, Kang Ji-Yung addressed the part I was curious about.


    "But there''s a signing quota for actors in Actor Division 3. So how is that possible? Even paying the signing bonus for just Mr. Sung Ho-Jun must be challenging."


    Once promoted, each chief got an annual budget for signing bonuses. But even so, there were limits.


    The fact that not just one but three S-ss actors were being recruited was hard to believe.


    "<i>Ha ha ha</i>. Fortunately, they weren''t much interested in the signing bonus. We agreed as long as the split was 85 to 15."


    "That''s...that''s very fortunate," Kang Ji-Yung replied.


    In cases with real power actors, there were situations where the actor and thepany had a 9:1 ratio for the total ie split. Sometimes, the actor took all of it and thepany even had to cover all activity expenses.


    However, the limit was 85% at Hoop Entertainment. Going beyond that meant cutting other actors'' or employees'' sries to cover the deficits.


    But now that an impossible situation had suddenly be possible, I was sure there was a backer behind Kim Dong-Soo.


    ''<i>Could Choi Man-Sik have made a move?</i>'' I wondered.


    If Kim Dong-Soo had President Choi Man-Sik''s support, it would be more than possible.


    I continued deep in thought, ''<i>It seems like Kim Dong-Soo is being helped because he''s being pushed back..</i>.''


    My recent efforts had shifted thepany''s power toward Actor Division 2, and the stature of Actor Division 3 had been progressively declining. Actor Division 3 had struggled to bring in S-ss actor Cha Tae-Hoon, but he lost the lead role in <i>Beyond the Boundary</i> to Lee Tae-Poong and hadn''t made any noticeable achievements since then.


    But with Sung Ho-Jun, the story would change. In terms of ability and character, he would be thepany''s pir for the next ten years. Plus, there were no scandal worries because Sung Ho-Jun was thorough in managing himself.


    At that moment, my mind started racing. I couldn''t just stand by and watch as the power shifted back to Actor Division 3. Moreover, Sung Ho-Jun, or rather Ho-Jun hyung, was an actor I had personally managed at Top Entertainment in my past life.


    That''s when a daring idea popped into my head.


    ''<i>Should I bring Ho-Jun hyung over to Team Jung?</i>''